Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council of Canada

Conseil de recherches ensciences humaines du Canada

Fellowship and Scholarship Programs

September 2009

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Contents

5: Vanier CGS Doctoral Nominations Program

6: SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

7: Enterprise Awards Management System (EAMS)

8: Tips for Writing Your Application

1: Overview of SSHRC Research Training Programs

2: Joseph-Armand Bombardier (JAB) Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) – Master’s Program

3: CGS Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement (MS FSS)

4: Doctoral Awards Program

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1: Overview of SSHRC Research Training

Programs

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Objectives of SSHRC’s Research Training Programs

• Develop research skills

• Assist in the training of highly-qualified personnel

• Support Canada’s best graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the social sciences and humanities

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The Full Suite of Research Training Support ProgramsMaster’s level:

– Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) – Master’s Program

– CGS Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement

Doctoral level:– Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS - Doctoral Program– SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships and supplements– Vanier CGS Program– CGS Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement

Postdoctoral level: - SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships and

supplements

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Research Training Support Programs – Supplements and Fellowships for Doctoral Students

• Aileen D. Ross Fellowship• Awarded to one outstanding Doctoral Award holder

conducting research in sociology, specifically for research on poverty

• Queen’s Fellowship• Awarded to one outstanding Doctoral Award holder

entering a Canadian Studies program in Canada

• SSHRC William E. Taylor Fellowship• Awarded annually to the most outstanding recipient of a

Doctoral Award

• Sport Participation Research Initiative: Doctoral Supplements

• Supports holders of SSHRC Doctoral Awards who are doing policy-relevant research on participation in sport in Canada

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General Eligibility for SSHRC’s Research Training Programs

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada at the time of application (except for Vanier)

• Not be applying in the 2009-2010 academic year to NSERC or CIHR

• Not have already received an award at the same level from SSHRC, NSERC or CIHR.

• Conducting research in an area that falls within SSHRC’s mandate

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Where to Apply

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2: Joseph-Armand Bombardier (JAB) Canada Graduate

Scholarships (CGS) – Master’s Program

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Value and Tenure

•$17, 500 for 12 months, non-renewable

•Tenable only at a recognized Canadian university

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Eligibility to Apply

• Have achieved first-class standing in each of the last two years of study

• Pursuing a first graduate degree

• Completed no more than 12 months at the graduate level by the expected start date of the award

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Eligibility to Apply (cont.)

• Must have completed the Bachelor’s degree no earlier than January 1, 2005 (unless registered at a university since that time).

• Not be pursuing a degree program that combines undergraduate and graduate degrees

• Regulation regarding combined MA/PhD programs

• You need not be assured of admission to your program at the time of application.

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Eligibility to Hold an Award

• Admitted, unconditionally, in a master’s or combined MA/PhD program that includes advanced research training

• Registered as a full-time student in a master’s or in a combined MA/PhD program

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Key Dates

• Application:• In parallel to the regular JAB CGS Master’s

scholarships competition, SSHRC will offer, through a final special call this fall, an additional 200 awards for business-related research

• For applicants registered in a degree program at a Canadian university in 2009: date set by university

• For all others: December 14, 2009

• Results Announced: Spring 2010

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Selection Process: Allocations

• University Allocations

• Roles• Department • Faculty of Graduate Studies • University Selection Committee(s)

• Results

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Selection Process: Evaluation Criteria

• Academic excellence - 60%

• Research potential - 30%

• Communication skills - 10%

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Research Training Component

• The proposal must include a significant research training component. Research training normally involves:• completing a thesis, major scholarly paper, project,

publication, performance, recital, or exhibit; and/or

• completing course work in research methods and/or statistics appropriate for the discipline or field of study; and/or

• acquiring knowledge and experience sufficient to conduct, assess and interpret research and scholarship in the field.

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Program of Study (max. of 2 pages)

• Identify the university and degree program which you are pursuing or intend to pursue;

• Outline clearly the research training component of the degree program;

• If your Master's degree program involves a thesis, a major research paper/essay, or a major research project, provide a well-structured outline of your research proposal, specifying the research question, context, objectives, methodology and contribution to the advancement of knowledge;

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Program of Study (cont.)

• If it is relevant to your research proposal, describe any work experience, community involvement or other extracurricular activity;

• If your research proposal is in psychology, justify your submission of this proposal to SSHRC (rather than to NSERC or CIHR), based on the guidelines

• If the output of your degree program is an artistic creation rather than a thesis, indicate clearly the research component of your proposed work.

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2009 Basic Data and Statistics

Number of applications received: 2,517

Number of awards: • 1,300 plus an additional 200 awards for business-related

research offered through a one-time special call for applications this summer

Total budget: $26.3 million

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4: Doctoral Awards Program

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Value and Tenure

• Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral Program– $35,000 a year for 36 months– Can only be held at a recognized Canadian

university

• SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships– $20,000 a year for up to 48 months– Can be held at a recognized university in

Canada or abroad

• Apply for both awards by completing one application form

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Eligible Period of Funding

• Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship: undertaking years of study• 1 to 3• 2 to 4

• SSHRC Fellowship: undertaking years of study• 1 to 4• 2 to 4• 3 and 4• 4 alone

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Eligibility to Apply

• Be pursuing first PhD

• Undertaking doctoral studies or a combined MA/PhD program

• Not be pursuing a degree program that combines undergraduate and graduate degrees

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Eligibility to Hold an Award

• Registered as a full-time student

• Unconditionally admitted in a PhD or combined MA/PhD program

• Conducting research in an area that falls within SSHRC’s mandate

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Key Dates

• Application • For applicants registered at a Canadian

university: date set by university• For all others: November 5, 2009

• National Competition: March 2010

• Results Announced: Spring 2010

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Selection Process: Pre-selection

Pre-selection competition to fill assigned quota:

• Canadian universities; OR

• SSHRC (for direct applicants only)

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Selection Process: SSHRC National Competition

• All eligible A-list applications undergo competition at the national level

• Selection committees evaluate, score and rank applications

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Applying for Funding

• Tips:• Write down User ID and a password to access your

application • Print-off the program description as well as the instructions

as to how to fill in the application form• Click on “Selecting a Funding Agency” to verify whether

your application falls under SSHRC’s mandate• Applicants pursuing studies in Health and Psychology

can find additional information Guidelines for the Eligibility of Applications Related to Health and Psychology on the “Selecting a Funding Agency” page.

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Evaluation Criteria

• Academic results• transcripts• awards and distinctions

• Program of study• potential contribution to the advancement of

knowledge• Professional and academic experience

• research assistantships or other relevant work experience

• publications• conference presentations

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Evaluation Criteria (cont.)

• Letters of Appraisal

• Departmental Appraisal (Canadian universities only)

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Program of Study (max. of 2 pages)

Entering first year of doctoral studies:

• Clearly state your current level of study; • Give the title and a brief description of your

master's thesis, if applicable; • Identify the degree program which you will pursue

including any relevant courses and provide an explanation for your choice; 

• Provide an outline of your doctoral thesis proposal, including the research question, context, objectives, methodology and contribution to the advancement of knowledge, and your special interests in the proposed area of research

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Program of Study (cont.)

Currently in a doctoral program:

• Clearly state your current level of graduate study; • Indicate what stage you are at in your thesis; • Provide the name of your supervisor of doctoral studies,

if known; • Provide an outline of your thesis proposal, including, for

example, the research question, context, objectives, methodology and contribution to the advancement of knowledge;

• Describe what you hope to accomplish during the award tenure and what will remain to be done before you obtain your degree.

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Program of Studies (cont.) – Reminders

• Your proposed research is in Psychology

• The output of your degree program is an artistic creation, rather than a thesis

• You want to be considered for a supplement

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Choosing a Selection Committee

Committee 1

Fine Arts; Literature (all types)

Committee 2

Classical Archaeology; Classics; Classical and Dead Languages; History; Mediaeval Studies; Philosophy; Religious Studies

Committee 3

Anthropology; Archaeology (except Classical Archaeology); Archival Science; Communications and Media Studies; Criminology; Demography; Folklore; Geography; Library and Information Science; Sociology; Urban and Regional Studies, Environmental Studies

Committee 4

Education; Linguistics; Psychology; Social Work

Committee 5

Economics; Industrial Relations; Law; Management, Business, Administrative Studies; Political Science

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2009 Basic Data and Statistics

• Number of applications: 5,100

• Number of awards: • JAB CGS scholarships: 436• SSHRC fellowships: 575

• Overall budget: approx. $71.6 million

• Additional funding for 100 CGS Doctoral Scholarships for business-related research –fiscal year 2009-2010 only

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3: Canada Graduate Scholarships Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements

Program (MS FSS)

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Objective

• Supports high-calibre graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences at research institutions outside of Canada.

• A total of 250 awards • SSHRC - 125• NSERC - 80 • CIHR - 45

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Value and Tenure

• Up to $6,000 for 3 to 6 months

• Non-renewable.

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Eligibility to Apply

• Applicant must be registered at a Canadian institution at the time of application

• Applicant have accepted or hold a Joseph-Armand Bombardier CGS (master’s or doctoral level) or a Vanier CGS

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Eligibility to Hold an Award

• hold an active CGS at the time your study period abroad starts;

• be registered full time in a graduate research studies program at a Canadian institution for the duration of the time abroad;

• take up the award within one year of receiving the notice of award for the CGS Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement; and

• return to complete your degree in Canada.

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Key Dates

• Submit application and all required documents to your faculty (school) of graduate studies for consideration

• Deadline for submitting applications to the granting agencies: June 10th and October 10th

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Selection Process

• Universities are allocated supplements based on the number of Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) held at their university

• University forwards applications to SSHRC

• SSHRC reviews for eligibility and content

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2009 Basic Data and Statistics

• 2009 awards:

• Upcoming deadlines: October 10

• Awards: 83 remaining/125

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8: Tips for Writing Your Application

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A Good Application

• Demonstrates:• Strong academic record

• Excellent potential to conduct advanced scholarly research

• Strong communication skills

• Ability to successfully complete the graduate program in a timely manner

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A Good Letter of Appraisal

• supports the information in the application;

• focuses on the applicant’s skills and past achievements;

• stresses strengths and personal attributes;

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Reminders

• Read program description and application instructions carefully

• Start your application early

• Use plain language

• Show your program of study to someone to receive feedback

• Let referees know the deadline well in advance

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Reminders (cont.)

• Indicate your proficiency in any language required for your research

• Ensure your list of publications provides complete bibliographic information

• Only include research contributions that have been accepted for publication

• Respect page limits

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Get Help at Your Institution From:

• Your supervisor

• Your peers

• Past SSHRC Fellowship recipients

• The department Head

• The Faculty of Graduate Studies

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Where to Get Help at SSHRC

• For more information about our programs:• (613) 943-7777 or fellowships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca

• For technical assistance with on-line forms:• (613) 995-4273 or webgrant@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca

• Web site: http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca

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THANK-YOU / MERCI