Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)

1. Natural Sciences and EngineeringResearch Council (NSERC) 2012 NSERC Competition Dr Gerda de Vries, Professor Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences

2. Alexander Graham Bell CGS and NSERC PGS Awards Apply through the UofA: • Currently registered in a degree program at the U of A (or were registered in a degree program at U of A during the year of application), or are on an approved leave of absence from a degree program at U of A • Not currently registered, or are registered but not in a degree program at U of A, AND you graduated from a U of A degree program between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 • Deadline for department to submit applications to FGSR – October 13 (contact the department for internal department deadlines)

3. Alexander Graham Bell CGS and NSERC PGS Awards Apply directly to NSERC by October 15 • Not currently registered at U of A, or are registered, but not in a degree program, and graduated from a U of A degree program prior to January 2011

4. 2012 NSERC TimelineBell CGS and NSERC PGS Applicants applying through U of A: • Complete form 201 on-line and submit copy of this to department by departmental deadline (check with department as soon as possible). Do not submit application online; give your department a printed hard copy. • Submit official transcripts with application • All North American (Canada & US) transcripts MUST be official • Include transcripts from ALL institutions attended. This includes institutions where you have not completed a degree and may have only taken a few courses. • Transcripts issued/dated over one year old will not be accepted. • For international transcripts not easily obtainable, FGSR will scan the originals from your student file held in the FGSR (only for applicants recommended by department).

5. 2012 NSERC Timeline con’t • Reference letters: must be uploaded online by referee, and copies must be provided with application • Referee can email electronic copy directly to your department, OR • Submit a printed version of uploaded document in a sealed envelope directly to your department

6. 2012 NSERC Timeline con’t • Departments rank and forward shortlisted applications to FGSR • Deadline - October 13 • A university designate will be provided to upload transcripts for applications submitted to FGSR AFTER the FGSR receives nominations from departments; • the FGSR will upload all transcripts for ALL applications forwarded to FGSR whether their applications are forwarded to Ottawa or not • After your transcripts have been uploaded by the FGSR, submit your application online • Graduate Scholarship Committee (GSC) ranks applications and forwards quota of applications to NSERC • Deadline - November 25  • NSERC announces recipients of awards • Late March – approximately 50% success rate

7. What Happens to the Application at NSERC? • Verification of eligibility of applicant and proposed research by Program Officers • Selection committee members review all applications • Top-ranked applicants offered CGS • PGS offered to next tier of applicants • Applicants informed of NSERC’s decision • Feedback available upon request; contact NSERC directly

8. What Helps the Case … • Excellent grades – minimum 1st class average in each of the last two years of full-time study (equivalent to 3.5 or greater at U of A) • Research activity (experience, publications, evidence of research progress) • Well-written research proposal • Other scholarships (competitive only) • Good letters of appraisal • Evidence of communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills

9. A Good Letter of Appraisal • Focuses on the applicant and is enthusiastic • Supports the information in the application • Provides specific examples of strengths, accomplishments and contributions of the applicant • Comments on the quality of the applicant's contributions to R&D and their role in joint publications • Comments on the quality of the journals in which the applicant has published • Demonstrates why the applicant is of superior calibre especially with regard to communication, interpersonal and leadership abilities

10. Letters of Appraisal(maximum of 2) • If you are currently completing a bachelor’s degree or are just starting graduate level studies, obtain letters from faculty members who have had sufficient opportunity to assess your potential and, if applicable, the importance of your publication venues • If you are completing a master’s degree, one of the letters must be from your Master’s supervisor • If you are currently in a doctoral program and have a supervisor, one of the letters must be from your doctoral thesis supervisor. If you completed a Master’s degree previously, the other letter should be from your Master’s supervisor. If you do not yet have a supervisor, obtain letters from faculty members who have had sufficient opportunity to assess your potential, at the bachelor's or Master’s level. • If you have changed universities since last year, one of the letters must be from a faculty member at the previous university

11. Important considerationsin completing forms The Student’s View

12. Important considerationsin completing forms The Reviewer’s View

13. Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships (IPS) • Gain work experience while completing a graduate degree • Students must spend at least 50 days per year at the host organization • Collaboration between university, student and host organization • No NSERC deadline; not competitive • Applications must be submitted to FGSR at least 2 months prior to the proposed scholarship start date • $21K minimum; for Master’s level - more than PGSM/CGSM ($17K) • Foreign students may be eligible (some conditions apply) • For more info visitwww.nserc-crsng.gc.caand www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca

14. 2012 NSERCQuotas Vanier CGS: 40 • Total over 3 years, not annually Alexander Graham Bell CGS and NSERC PGS: 164 • Includes both master’s and doctoral applications

15. 2011 NSERC CompetitionStatistics 2011 Vanier CGS Quota: 40 over 3 years • Vanier CGS applications reviewed by Vanier Committee: 23 • Awarded by NSERC: 6 out of 10 forwarded 2011 Alexander Graham Bell CGS + NSERC PGS Quota: 170 • Master’s applications reviewed by GSC: 148 • Awarded by NSERC: 39 CGSM and 2 PGSM • Doctoral applications reviewed by GSC: 91 • Awarded by NSERC: 15 CGSD and 27 PGSD

16. Questions? Contact NSERC • On-line Services: webapp@nserc-crsng.gc.ca • Telephone: 613.995.4273 • Email: schol@nserc-crsng.gc.ca Contact FGSR • Telephone: 780.492.9460 • Email: grad.awards@ualberta.ca