Tri-Council Master’s Competition

1. Tri-Council Master’s Competition Tuesday, October 22, 2013 Presented By: TiannaYaskow Manager of Graduate Scholarships and Awards

2. Overview • The Tri-Council Agencies • Scholarships • Eligibility • Subject Matter Eligibility • Holding the Award • Application • Selection Criteria • Adjudication

3. The Tri-Council Agencies • CIHR – Canadian Institutes of Health Research • Primary federal funding agency for health research • NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council • Primary federal funding agency for researchers in science and engineering • SSHRC – Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council • Primary federal funding agency for researchers in the social sciences and humanities

4. Scholarships • Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) are worth $17,500 and are paid out over a year • Allocations for the U of R: • CIHR – 4 • NSERC – 1 • SSHRC – 7 • These allocations are based on how many students have held CGS master’s scholarships at the U of R over the last 3 years

5. Eligibility • Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada • Be enrolled in, or intend to apply to, the U of R • Have completed, as of December 31, 2013, between zero and 12 months of full-time studies • Not have previously held a CGS M • To be eligible to apply, students must have achieved a first-class average (80%) in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent). • Submit an application to only one tri-council agency

6. Subject Matter Eligibility • You must ensure that you apply to the appropriate tri-council agency • If you are unsure, please ask your supervisor or myself and we can help you pick the right one

7. Holding the Award • A change from previous years: awards are no longer portable • This means that if you are awarded a CGS M at the U of R, you must take up the award at the U of R • Students can apply for awards at up to 5 universities which means a student could receive multiple awards – but must pick only one institution to study at

8. Application • Consists of the following: • Main application • Attachments • Outline of proposed research • Transcripts • Canadian Common CV (CCV) • Invitations • Two references required • Apply using the Research Portal

9. Main Application • Asks for basic information about your current or proposed program • You can choose up to five universities under Host Organization; however, you can only select universities where: • You are currently enrolled in an eligible program of study and wish to pursue your studies; or • You intend to apply for full-time admission to an eligible program of study if not currently enrolled at the university of your choice. • Failure to apply for admission to a program may result in your application being removed from the competition

10. Outline of Proposed Research • The attachment must adhere to the following: • A maximum of one page can be used for the outline of proposed research; and • A maximum of one page can be used for citations. • Provide a detailed description of your proposed research project for the period during which you will hold the award • If you have not decided on a specific project, you must still give a description of a project that interests you. You are NOT bound to this project.

11. Outline of Proposed Research • Applicants are expected to write their own research project independently. Ideas and/or text belonging to others are to be properly referenced. • Include all relevant information in the outline. Do not refer reviewers to URLs or other publications for supplemental information. • The document must meet presentation standards: • Text must be single spaced • Times New Roman, 12 pt. font • Margins at ¾” all around • Include name in page header on every page • For multipage attachments, number them sequentially • All attachments must be in PDF format

12. Outline of Proposed Research • What: Describe clearly the research challenge in your project. Provide background information to position your research within the context of the field. State objectives and hypothesis. • What are you going to do? • How: Describe what you will do. Outline the experimental or theoretical approach to be taken. Ensure the methodology fits within the constraints of your program. • How are you going to reach your objectives? • Why: State the significance of the proposed research to your chosen field. • Why is the research worth pursuing? What are the benefits?

13. Transcripts • Students are responsible for obtaining their transcripts • Transcripts must be provided by the university – web copies are not allowed • If you require certified copies of previously submitted transcripts, please let me know • Transcripts must be in a single PDF document • A legend (found on the back of your transcripts) must be included with the transcripts

14. Canadian Common CV (CCV) • This is the first part of your application • You will need to register before you can create this: https://ccv-cvc.ca/loginresearcher-eng.frm • This login will be different than the one used for the research portal where you will complete your CGS application • Once logged in, you will choose CV Funding CGS-Master’s • Complete instructions are available on the website at: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ResearchPortal-PortailDeRecherche/Instructions-Instructions/CCV_CGSM-CVC_BESCM_eng.asp

15. Canadian Common CV (CCV) • Main Categories: • Personal Information • Education • Recognitions • Employment • Research Funding History • Activities • Memberships • Contributions • There are many sub-categories – make sure you leave enough time to complete the whole CCV

16. Reference Assessments • Each application must be accompanied by two Reference Assessments • They CANNOT be completed by a proposed supervisor unless that person is, or has been, your supervisor • Both assessments should be from people very familiar with your research and other abilities

17. Reference Assessments • The reference letter needs to present an accurate and complete picture of your achievements and research potential • The more information a referee has to draw from, the better the case for support he/she can make for you. Give them: • Research proposal • A list of publications • A list of scholarships • A list of any other notable achievements

18. Reference Assessments • Referees receive a notification e-mail that they need to complete a reference letter. Make sure you send them information about you before they write their letter • Make sure you give your referees as much time as possible. Without these letters, your application will be considered incomplete

19. Submission • Your application is submitted online • You do not need to submit a paper copy to FGSR or your academic unit

20. Selection Criteria • Academic Excellence – 50% • Transcripts • Scholarships received • Research Potential – 30% • Research proposal • CCV • Personal Characteristics and Interpersonal Skills – 20% • CCV • While filling out your application, it is important to remember how your application will be assessed

21. Selection Criteria • Academic Excellence (50%) – as demonstrated by past academic results, transcripts, awards and distinctions: • Academic record (first class average – 80%) • Scholarships and awards held • Duration of previous studies • Type of program and courses pursued • Course load

22. Selection Criteria • Research Potential (30%) – as demonstrated by the applicant’s research history, his/her interest in discovery, the proposed research, its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the field, and any anticipated outcomes: • Quality and originality of contributions to research and development • Relevance of work experience and academic training to field of proposed research • Significance, feasibility, and merit of proposed research • Judgment and ability to think critically • Ability to apply skills and knowledge • Initiative, autonomy and independence • Research experience and achievements relative to expectations of someone with the candidate’s academic experience

23. Selection Criteria • Personal Characteristics and Interpersonal Skills (20%) – as demonstrated by the applicant’s past professional and relevant extracurricular interactions and collaborations: • Work experience • Leadership experience • Project management including organizing conferences and meetings • The ability or potential to communicate theoretical, technical and/or scientific concepts clearly and logically in written and oral formats • Involvement in academic life • Volunteerism/community outreach

24. Adjudication • A selection committee comprised of U of R faculty from various academic units will be brought together and make the final decision on which students will receive our allocation of awards

25. Final Comments • Tri-Council award competitions are extremely competitive • Make sure you read all the instructions before, during and after completing your application – follow the presentation guidelines for your attachments • Look at what you will be assessed on: Did you demonstrate it throughout your application? • Read and re-read (and get someone else to read) your application before its final submission

26. Deadlines • December 1, 2013 – applications must be submitted online • Note: There is no internal deadline • April 1, 2014 – U of R will announce the results through the Research Portal

27. Student Experience – Jennifer Burton • Link to her website that talks about her experiences: Link to come • Sell yourself: why is your research important? • Send your proposal to multiple people – friends, professors, parents, etc. • She didn’t know many of the professors she sent her proposal to but she reached out to professors in her department and they were happy to help

28. Student Experience – Jennifer Burton • Don’t think you have to get a tenure-track professor to write a reference – it’s better to find someone who can speak to your strengths • Approach other people who have applied – ask for feedback on your proposal • Attention to details is important • Don’t get discouraged – if you don’t apply, you can’t get it

29. Insight from Dr. Yao, Dr. Petty & Dr. Asmundson • Help is there if you want it • Start early – it takes more time than you think • Make sure everyone can understand what you’re talking about • Be clear, concise and precise • Citations should relate to the proposed research • Professional experience can be very important – use it to help build your CV • Make your application look good – headings, etc.