innovationProductive use of new knowledge in all sectors of the economy

and society

We invest in:We invest in: discoveryCompetitive research in science and engineering, providing access to new knowledge from around the world

peopleHighly skilled,well educatedand capable of

lifelong learningUSING NEW KNOWLEDGE

Partnerships of universities with industry and other sectors for project research

WORKING IN ALL AREAS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate students,

postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and some university faculty

EXCELLENCE

Our goal is Canadianexcellence in:

Our goal is Canadianexcellence in: CREATING

KNOWLEDGE

Research Grants for basic research in the universities

We do this through

peer-reviewedcompetitions

in three programs

Prosperity and high quality of life for Canadians

vision and mission

NSERC

and in engineering

NSERC Presents …

Scholarships & Fellowships

Programs

NSERC 101NSERCNSERC promotes and assists research in

the natural sciences and engineering

Today’s Agenda

• Introduction What’s new in the Scholarships and Fellowships division Information common to most

applicants

• Postdoctoral Programs• CREATE

Scholarships News

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) Program

• CGS Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-FSS)

• New Collaborative Research and Training (CREATE) Program

• New Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural Sciences and Engineering (AANSE) Supplement Program

Scholarships News• The 2008 UFA competition was the final

one (program now closed)

• IPS: Eligibility expanded to include foreign applicants

• Form 200: Changes to Appendix 2

• Title change to CGS: Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships

To Apply for NSERC Support You Must Be:

• A Canadian citizen

OR

• A Permanent Resident of Canada

Exception:

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program (Vanier CGS)Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships Programs (IPS)Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories (VF)Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE)

Eligibility of Proposed Research

CIHR/SSHRC Overlap:• Research must advance knowledge in the Natural

Sciences and Engineering

• Psychology:Consult Program Guide for Students and Fellows and Eligibility Criteria

• Apply to only one Council per academic year

IN DOUBT

• Send a 1 page summary to NSERC

Northern Research Internships (NRINT)

• Opportunity to do research in Canada’s North

• Student may hold a USRA, Vanier CGS, CGS/PGS, IPS or PDF at the same time

• No fixed deadlines, apply 8 weeks before start of northern work

• Up to 30 awards per year (first come, first served)

• How to apply: Form 200 Letter from supervisor Letter from Northern partner NRINT Agreement signed by all parties

• Up to $14,000 for 12-16 weeks, within 12 months

Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Supplement Program (AANSE)

• AANSE supplements aim to engage Aboriginal students and fellows in promoting interest and participation in the natural sciences and engineering.

• Candidates visit Canada’s Aboriginal communities and schools to share their research and education experiences or participate in science promotion events and activities.

• Applicants must hold an USRA, Vanier CGS, Alexander Graham Bell CGS, PGS, PDF, IPS, IRDF or Northern Research Internship.

upplements

• Extra $ from other organizations

• May be available for USRA, PGS, CGS, IPS and PDF

• Support research in specific areas

• Value ranges from $1,000 - $15,000

• Duration from 1 - 4 years

• Contact agencies directly upon receipt of NSERC award letter

Postdoctoral Programs

• Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) • Industrial R&D Fellowship (IRDF) • Visiting Fellowship (VF) • Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship (JSPS)

• University Faculty Awards (UFA)

PDF IRDF VF

Total $

$40,000

$40,000 +

$43,724 +

Graduation < 2 yrs ≤ 5 yrs < 5 yrs

Tenure University Industry Government

Deadline October 15 Not Applicable Not Applicable

Duration 24 months 24 months 12 months renewable

Postdoctoral Programs Overview

Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF)

• Deadline Date October 15, 2008

• To be eligible: If PhD was completed after Oct. 15th, 2006

OR If all PhD requirements met by Dec. 31st, 2009

• How to apply:Form 200 + Official Academic Transcripts

(Doctoral Only) • $40,000 per year for maximum of 24 months• Award start date: between April 1 and January 15

May only apply twiceMay not hold more than one NSERC PDF

Location of Tenure for PDFs

Canada • University and provincial research institutions

• Appropriate research laboratories

Abroad • University and research centres

If requesting a tenure abroad, the PhD must have been completed in Canada

The PDF may not be held at the university (or its affiliated institutions) where PhD was completed or with PhD supervisor

Weight

%

Research Ability/Potential 70

Communication Skills, Interpersonal and Leadership Abilities

30

Total 100

PDF Selection Criteria and Weightings

PDF Selection Process

• Verification of eligibility of applicant and proposed research by program officers

• Selection committees members review all applications

• Applicants informed of NSERC’s decision by March 31

• Feedback available upon request

Industrial R&D Fellowships (IRDF)

• Research at eligible Canadian organization

• No deadlines for application

• Apply within 5 years of PhD

• Not previously employed in Canadian industry after PhD for more than six months

• How to apply: Form 200 (Application for a Scholarship or Fellowship)

Form 183C (Nomination for an Industrial R&D Fellowship)

• $40,000 min/year for maximum of 24 months

* Eligible organizations on our Web site

Nominee

• Research ability or potential (70%)

• Communication, interpersonal and leadership abilities (30%)

IRDF Selection Criteria and Weightings

Proposed R & D activities

• Industrial R & D environment

• Significance and feasibility

• Company commitment

• Scientific and technical merit

• Incrementality

IRDF Selection Process

• Eligible organizations submit their application at any time throughout the year

• NSERC program staff reviews application for completeness

• Two members of the College of Reviewers review the application and complete an evaluation

• The members separately assess the merit of the candidate and the research proposal

• To be successful, both the candidate and the research proposal must be meritorious

• Nominating organizations are notified of the decision within six weeks of receiving the complete application

Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories (VF)

• Research in government setting

• No deadlines for application

• Apply within 5 years of completing PhD

• How to apply:Form 200 (Application for a Scholarship or

Fellowship)

• $43,724 per year

• 1 year fellowship renewable twice

* No citizenship or residency requirements

Weight

%

Academic Excellence 15

Research Ability/Potential 50

Oral and Written Communication Skills 10

Interpersonal and Leadership Abilities 10

Justification for location & benefits to Department

15

Total

100

VF Selection Criteria and Weightings

VF Selection Process

• Evaluation of applications by government department, overseen by NSERC

• If successful, applicant is placed on an inventory for up to 2 yrs

• Being placed on the inventory does not guarantee a fellowship

• Government departments select candidates from the inventory

• Research in Japanese universities and national labs

• Deadline January 2009

• Obtained PhD within past 6 years

• How to apply:

Contact NSERC for application forms

• 364,000 Yen (approx. $3,500 CAN) per month + travel and relocation allowances

• Maximum 24 months of support

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowships (JSPS)

University Faculty Awards (UFA)

• The 2008 UFA competition was the final one. The program is now closed and applications will no longer be accepted.

• NSERC continues to develop replacement programs:

AANSE launched in April 2008

New program to address retention of women faculty (TBD)

CREATE Collaborative Research And Training Experience

• Grants for groups of researchers who will deliver training programs to outstanding students and postdoctoral fellows

• Aim to facilitate the transition of new researchers to the Canadian workforce

• These innovative programs aim to provide collaborative and integrative training experiences, and will encourage one or more of the following:

Acquisition and development of important professional and personal skills

Student mobility nationally and internationally Interdisciplinary research within the NSE, or at the

interface between the NSE and health and/or social sciences and humanities

Collaborative Research And Training Experience (CREATE)

EligibilityMajority of the group must be from NSE fields

FundingSix years (Year 1: up to $150,000, Years 2-6: up to $300,000 annually)

At least 80 per cent of funds spent on stipends to HQPUp to 30 per cent of which may be for students not enrolled in NSE fields

Research training experience can target any trainee levelUndergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows

Collaborative Research And Training Experience (CREATE)

Program description: www.nserc.gc.caFor professorsGrant Programs

E-mail: CREATE@nserc.ca

Deadline (Researchers): September 22, 2008

Announcement of results: Spring 2009

On-line Application Completion

• www.nserc.gc.ca to On-line Services

• Print out and review FAQ & instructions

• Register as First-Time User or Login

• eConsole screen: choose “Forms - Student”

• My portfolio screen:

• Select form to be created• Choose “Form 200 - Scholarships”

• Choose “Form 202 - USRA Part 1”

Login for previous user

Register for new user

PDF format available

Create a form: Select the program Or Edit

No electronic submission

A paper copy must be submitted

List specific for each program

PIN – if you don't have one leave it blank, not SIN, not Student ID

Full address including

postal code

Academic backgrou

nd accurate : does it

make sense?

Do not include

programs that you have not

yet started

Relevant work experience, in

science or engineering

OR that show leadership/

communication skills

Scholarships: don't

put down $$ from prof's NSERC grants

Locations of tenure must

be universities,

not the affiliated hospitals, research

institutes, etc.

Required for PDF, VF and NRINT only

PGS Master

and IPS 1: Do not need to

complete this

section. Section will not appear

Watch the margins

Check grammar, typos, spelling,

etc.

Don't repeat information

found in Thesis Times New

Roman regular 12 pts, or any

comparable font – nothing smaller

Condensed type is not

acceptable

If you choose not to fill in any section from a certain point to

the end, indicate so on

application

Indicate that a paper copy

will come with the

application

Required for PDF, VF and NRINT only

Number to be forwarded to the

proposed referees to complete

Appendix 1 on-line

Verify for completenes

s

Appendix 1: 2 Reports Required

Person most familiar with applicant’s abilities: research, etc.

Usually thesis supervisor

Another person familiar with applicant’s abilities and research

Specific examples

Vanier CGS and CGS/PGS applicants, use only the form provided

All other applicants may use 1 additional page Not proposed supervisor unless also past supervisor

Signed by referee

Appendix 3: Consent Form

• Statistical information

Not given to reviewers

Remember…

• Follow instructions: Font size, margins, page limits etc.

• Clear, concise writing

• Proofread for spelling, grammar

• Provide needed documentation

• Choose respondents with care

• Be aware of deadlines

No On-line application submission!

General Information / Application Forms

Website: www.nserc.gc.ca

On-line Services: webapp@nserc.ca

Helpdesk: (613) 995-4273

Scholarships & Fellowships: schol@nserc.ca

Finance Division: scholfin@nserc.ca

THANK YOU

AND

GOOD LUCK