A brief guide to applying for …

1. A brief guide to applying for … • NSERC Undergraduate Programs • NSERC Postgraduate Programs • NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships

2. Graduate Programs • Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) / Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS) • Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) • Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships (IPS) and Industrial Innovation Scholarships (IIS) (for students in Québec) • Summer Programs in Japan or Taiwan

3. To Apply for NSERC SupportYou Must Be: • A Canadian citizen OR • A Permanent Resident of Canada Exceptions: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships (IPS) Industrial Innovation Scholarships (IIS)

4. Eligibility of Program of Study and Proposed Research • Both program of study and proposed research must be in an NSERC-supported field • Consult NSERC’s Eligibility Criteria • May only apply to one agency per academic year Still not sure? Contact NSERC: schol@nserc-crsng.gc.ca NSERC makes the final decision

5. Available postgraduate funding • Four years total support • Supplements • Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural Sciences andEngineering Supplements • Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements • Supplements from other organizations

6. Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS)/ NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS) Support for high calibre master’s and doctoral students One Application Process - CGS offered to the top-ranked applicants, PGS offered to next next tier of meritorious applicants Selection criteria • Academic excellence • Research ability or potential • Communication, interpersonal and leadership skills Deadlines • University submission - deadlines vary, so check with your university! • Direct submission to NSERC – October 15 (8:00 p.m., ET) Results available in March

7. Submission Process Depends on your Registration Status – Directly to NSERC Apply directly to NSERC ONLY if: • you are currently registered at a foreign university • you are not currently registered at a university or are registered, but not in a degree program, and you graduated from a degree program prior to January 2010

8. Submission Process Depends on your Registration Status – Through a Canadian University Apply through your current university if: • you are currently registered at, or are on an approved leave of absence from, a Canadian university in a degree program. Apply through the university where you were registered if: • you are not currently registered at a university or are registered, but not in a degree program, and you graduated from a degree program from a Canadian university during the year of application (January to December 2010).

9. Eligibility to apply to PGS/CGS M • * Number of months completed (full-time equivalent) by December 31 of the year • of application • A first-class average is required in each of the last two completed years of study • (full-time equivalent) • Value and Duration: PGS M: $17,300 for one year • CGS M: $17,500 for one year

10. Eligibility to apply to PGS/CGS D • * Number of months completed (full-time equivalent) by December 31 of the • year of application • A first-class average is required in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent) • Value and Duration: PGS D: $21,000 for two or three years • CGS D: $35,000 for two or three years

11. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships • Apply at www.vanier.gc.ca • Nomination by the university – Contact Office of Graduate Studies for the university-specific deadline • $50,000 / year for three years • No citizenship restrictions • Two-tier competition process • Eligible candidates can also submit an application to the CGS/PGS competition

12. New this year for Vanier CGS • Requirement for a third letter of reference to demonstrate leadership potential • Rationale required to complete doctoral degree at the same university where they earned a previous degree • Universities encouraged to recruit foreign candidates as well as Canadians • Changes to the calculation for number of months of graduate studies

13. Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships (IPS) and Industrial Innovation Scholarships (IIS) (Quebec students) • Work experience for graduate students • Quebec students apply to IIS program • No deadline, quick application turn around • $21,000 per year minimum value for two or three years • Foreign students may be eligible (some conditions apply)

14. Other Sources of Support • Available through a variety of NSERC research grants including the Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) program

15. Selection Criteria Weightings

16. Completing Form 201 Application for a Postgraduate Scholarship or a Postdoctoral Fellowship

18. Login for previous user Register for new users

20. Allows you to view your application once completed. Create a form: Select the program Edit

21. List is program specific.

25. Relevant work experience, in science or engineering OR that show leadership/ communication abilities

26. Do not put down $$ from professor's NSERC grants

31. Watch the margins • Check grammar, typos, spelling, etc. • Times New Roman regular 12 pts, or any comparable font – nothing smaller • Condensed type is not acceptable • Do not repeat information found in Thesis

32. If you choose not to fill in any section from a certain point to the end, indicate so on application

34. For direct applicants ONLY

35. For applicants applying through the university ONLY

36. Reports on the Applicant • Two reports required • Person very familiar with applicant’s research and other abilities. Able to provide specific examples and knowledgeable in the proposed area of research. Usually the thesis supervisor • Person sufficiently familiar with applicant's research and other abilities • Should not be from proposed supervisor unless you have worked with them in the past • The on-line system will invite your reviewers using the email address that you provide

38. Verify for completeness

40. Remember… • Follow instructions: • Font size, margins, page limits, etc. • Clear, concise writing • Proofread for spelling and grammar • Provide needed documentation • Choose references with care • Be aware of the deadline

41. Need help? On-line Services: webapp@nserc-crsng.gc.ca Helpdesk: 613-995-4273 Scholarships and Fellowships: schol@nserc-crsng.gc.ca