Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

1. Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council of Canada (SSHRC) 2012 SSHRC Competition Dr. Naomi Krogman Associate Professor, Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology

2. Eligibility of SubjectMatter at SSHRC All applications to SSHRC must meet the following two criteria: • The program of research must be primarily in the social sciences and humanities (aligned with SSHRC’s legislated mandate); and • The intended outcome of the research must primarily be to add to our understanding and knowledge of individuals, groups and societies—what we think, how we live, and how we interact with each other and the world around us.

3. Eligibility of Applicationsrelated to Health • Research primarily intended to improve health, produce more effective health services and products and/or strengthen the Canadian health care system is not eligible for SSHRC support (example: Research concerning the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of a condition, evaluation of the effectiveness of health programs, development of health management systems, clinical trials, etc) • Research eligible under the mandate of CIHR will not be considered by SSHRC. CIHR provides funding opportunities for four themes of health research: Biomedical; Clinical; Health systems services; and Social, cultural, environmental and population health.

4. Eligibility of Applicationsrelated to Health • Research proposals related to health or in psychology: applicants must justify submission of the proposal to SSHRC (rather than to NSERC or CIHR) • Refer to Guidelines at http://www.sshrc.ca under Apply for Funding/Selecting a Funding Agency • If in doubt, send a copy of your research proposal to SSHRC for review (well before deadlines)

5. CGSMEligibility to Apply Apply through the UofA: • Currently registered in a degree program at the U of A or on an approved leave of absence • Not currently registered but completed your previous degree at U of A any time between January 1, 2011 and the present • Deadline for department submission of applications to FGSR (contact the department for earlier internal department deadlines) November 16th Apply directly to SSHRC: • All other applicants – December 15th deadline • If not currently registered, must have completed bachelor’s degree no earlier than January 1, 2007

6. CGSM: Eligibility • Combined MA/PhD and Fast-track Programs • Students who are or will be registered in a combined MA/PhD or fast-track program (accelerated from a master’s program into a doctoral program without obtaining the master’s degree) may apply to the CGS Master’s program, provided that they have not completed less than 12 months of graduate-level studies at the time of the proposed start date of the award. • Students who are currently registered in a combined MA/PhD or fast-track program and have or will have completed more than 12 months of graduate-level studies as of the proposed start date of the award, may only apply to the Doctoral Awards program.

7. CGSM: Program of Study(maximum of 2 pages) • Identify the university and degree program 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

8. CGSM: Program of Study(continued) • If it is relevant to your research proposal, describe any work experience, community involvement or other extracurricular activity • If the output of your degree program is an artistic creation rather than a thesis, indicate clearly the research component of your proposed work • If you studied on a part-time basis or interrupted your studies with official university approval, you must specify the dates of interruption or part-time study in your Program of Study

9. SSHRC Doctoral Awards • Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS) -$50,000 • Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGSD)-$35,000 • Doctoral Fellowship-$20,000

10. Bombardier CGSD orDoctoral Fellowship Eligibility • Be pursuing first PhD (or equivalent) • Be undertaking doctoral studies in the social sciences and humanities

11. Bombardier CGSD orDoctoral Fellowship Eligibility • Direct-Entry to Doctoral Programs • Students who are or will be registered as a direct-entry doctoral candidate, may only apply to the Doctoral Awards program.

12. Bombardier CGSD or DoctoralFellowship Evaluation Criteria • Academic results • Transcripts (original, including U of A); awards and distinctions • Note: If you studied part-time or interrupted your studies with official university approval, the dates of interruption or part-time study must be documented in an official letter from the applicable university • Program of study and research • potential contribution to advancement of knowledge • Professional and academic experience • research assistantships; other relevant work experience; publications; conference presentations • Letters of Appraisal • Departmental Appraisal

13. Bombardier CGSD orDoctoral FellowshipProgram of Study (maximum 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 provided and 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 interest in the proposed area of research

14. Program of Study (continued) 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 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

15. Program of Study (continued) • If the output of your degree program is an artistic creation rather than a thesis, indicate clearly the research component of your proposed work. • If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to be considered for a Supplement (information is available on the SSHRC website), provide a justification in your Program of Study.

16. What characterizes the best SSHRC proposals? • Project has clear questions or research objectives. • Project appears doable in the time span of one’s graduate program. • All questions asked are answered (why you chose the program, etc). • Project is interesting to the average professor & presented in a way to engage a curious intellect.

17. Some ways that SSHRC proposals are likely excluded • Question is grand and/or amorphous. • Goals for program are too ambitious. • Project appears to be one already funded and handed to student from professor. • Language used is too vague, plans too open.

18. Excluded continued… • Question has a “so what” feel to the average intellectual in regards to scientific or practical contribution. • References lack credibility, no. is excessive or too few. (You only want a few keys citations; there’s not enough space for more.) • Grammatical, spelling, typographical errors.

19. SSHRC Quotas Vanier CGSD: 31 (total over 3 years, not annually) 2012 CGSD/Doctoral Fellowship applications: 73 2012 CGSM applications: 35

20. 2011 SSHRCCompetition Statistics 2011 Vanier CGS (31over three years) 48 (total) applications reviewed by Vanier Committee / 2 awarded by SSHRC 2011 SSHRC CGSM Quota 35 63 applications reviewed by GSC / 35 awarded by SSHRC 2011 SSHRC Doctoral Quota 73 120 applications reviewed by GSC / 22 CGSD & 18 Doctoral Fellowships awarded by SSHRC

21. Plan Ahead • Read “for fun” in the area you have a growing interest. • View other examples successful SSHRC applications. • Ask questions before you write it up; discuss ideas with professors and other graduate students. • Ask several professors, excellent writers to review your proposal. Become impervious to criticism.

22. Questions? Contact SSHRC • Telephone:613.943.7777 • Email: fellowships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca • For technical assistance with on-line forms: (613) 995-4273 orwebgrant@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca Contact FGSR • Telephone: 780.492.9460 • Email: grad.awards@ualberta.ca