Canadian Institutes of Health Research CIHR:

Master’s Level (CGSM)

Thursday September 26, 2019

Dr. Patricia MacKenzie Associate Professor, School of Social Workpatmack@uvic.caYvonne Rondeau & Kathy McCarthy, Scholarship Officers, Faculty of Graduate Studies

What is a CGS-M?

The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s Program (CGS-M) has a single, harmonized application process for the three federal granting agencies: the Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). These three agencies are also referred to as the “Tri-Council”.

The CGS-M is valued at $17,500 for 12 months. It is not renewable.

Awards must be held at the university where the offer of award originates.

Information about CGSM is hosted on the NSERC site – don’t let that confuse you

Eligibility requirements: To be eligible to apply, you must:

be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada; be enrolled in, have applied for, or will apply for full-time admission to an eligible graduate

program at the master’s or doctoral level at a Canadian institution with a CGS M allocation; respect the internal deadline to apply for admission for your intended program of study. Contact

the faculty of graduate studies (or its equivalent) at the selected Canadian institution(s) for more detailed information;

have completed, as of December 31 of the year of application: between zero and 12 months of full-time studies (or full-time equivalent) in the program for

which you are requesting funding, which may be: a master’s program; a doctoral program that you are entering without having ever been enrolled in a

master’s program (that is, direct-entry); a combined master’s-doctoral program; a master’s program that will transition to an eligible doctoral program, either before or

after award activation, with no master’s degree conferred (that is, fast-track); or a master’s program for which the degree requirements will be completed before the end

of the award, allowing the award to continue into an eligible doctoral program; or between four and 12 months of full-time study (or full-time equivalent) in an eligible

master’s program for which the degree requirements will be completed before activation of the award, allowing it to be activated during the subsequent doctoral program for which you are requesting funding;

not have previously held a CGS M; have achieved a first-class average**, as determined by the host institution, in each of the last two

completed years of study (full-time equivalent); submit a maximum of one scholarship application per academic year to either CIHR, NSERC or

SSHRC.

Application process – the details The application is done electronically through the Research Portal – Deadline December 1, 2019

In addition to the application students must complete the Canadian Common CV which you will be required to upload as part of your application; the version students complete is found under the CV tab, select Funding and then for Funding Source, select CGS-Master’s

The link to the Research Portal

https://portal-portail.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/s/login.aspx

The link to the CCV

https://ccv-cvc.ca/indexresearcher-eng.frm

Research Portal Login

Select the Right Application

6

Application – Research Portal

7

A complete application must include the following materialsA complete application includes the following:

Application form (completed in Research Portal)

Outline of the proposed research, including bibliography and citations – 1 page max for research proposal, 1 page max for bibliography and citations

All required undergraduate and graduate official transcripts

CGS M Canadian Common CV (CCV)

Two reference assessments

A green checkmark will appear when each completed section has been saved and validated and when each reference assessment has been received.

Review processAfter applications have been submitted, they will be reviewed in three stages:

1. By FGS for eligibility and completeness;

2. A review done by individual academic units to select final CGSM nominees;

3. An Adjudication Committee composed of UVic faculty members who review and rank nominated applications and select which applications will be offered CIHR CGSM awards. The first round of award offers will be made on April 1, 2020 in the Research Portal.

NOTE: Each university has a set allocation for each granting agency. The allocation is the total number of scholarships that the university is allowed to offer in the annual competition. The CIHR UVic allotment is 5.

9

Canadian Common CV (CGSM – CCV)

Creating the CCV

instructions are available online - http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/CCV_CGSM-CVC_BESCM_eng.asp

TIPS

• Before you begin creating your CGSM CCV read through the instructions; you may also want to print them or have them available on another tab as you complete the CGSM CCV

• Your CGSM CCV is intended to be a progressive document that you can add information to as you progress through your education and into your career.

• As you work on your CCV be sure to save and record your confirmation number – this is the number you will use to link your CCV to your application in the Research Portal

10

Which Tri-Council?http://www.science.gc.ca/eic/site/063.nsf/eng/h_FEE7261A.html?OpenDocument

Applications to CIHR must meet the following criteria:

The intended outcomes of the research must, primarily improve or have an impact on health and/or produce more effective health services and products and/or strengthen the Canadian health care system.

Applications to SSHRC must meet the following criteria:

The program of research must be primarily in the social sciences and humanities (i.e., aligned with the SSHRC 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.

Applications to NSERC must meet the following criteria:

The program of research must be primarily in the natural sciences and engineering;

The intended objectives of the research must be, primarily, to advance knowledge in one of the natural sciences or in engineering.

11

CIHR Funding is for:

all areas of health research, including biomedical, clinical, health services and policy, and social, cultural, environmental and population health.

GOAL – The Canada Graduate Scholarships Master's Awards are intended to provide special recognition and support to students who are pursuing a Master's degree in a health related field at a Canadian institution. These candidates are expected to have an exceptionally high potential for future research achievement and productivity.

12

Guidelines for the Eligibility of Applications in Psychology

Applicants should consider the following guidelines in their decision to apply to a federal granting agency if their research is in the field of psychology:

SSHRC considers eligible applications within the broad areas of social, industrial, developmental, personality and educational psychology. SSHRC also considers eligible proposals related to theory and methods in these areas. SSHRC does not support clinically-oriented research, with a health intent or research involving clinical trials.

NSERC considers eligible applications that relate to fundamental psychological processes, their underlying neural mechanisms, their development within individuals, and their evolutionary and ecological context. Fundamental processes are understood to include:

Sensation and perception;

Sensorimotor integration;

Motivation, emotion and reward;

Learning and memory;

Cognition and language;

Sleep, arousal and the chronobiological modulation of behaviour; and,

Statistical methods for analysis of psychological data.

NSERC does not support clinically-oriented research.

CIHR supports all research in psychology that has direct relevance to or ultimate impact on human health.

13

Selection Criteria

Achievements and Plans of the Candidate (including research experience and academic performance (50%) Academic record (first class average) Scholarships and awards held Duration & Type of program and courses pursued& Course load

Characteristics and Abilities of the Candidate (30%) Quality and originality of contributions to research and development Research experience and relevant work experience and academic training to field

of proposed research Significance, feasibility and merit of proposed research Judgment and ability to think critically and to apply skills and knowledge Initiative, autonomy and independence

Personal Characteristics and Interpersonal Skills (20%) 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 1

4

Presentation Standards for the CGS-M application

Prepare your attachments in any word processing program, following the requirements below. All text, including references (where applicable), must conform to these standards. Acronyms and abbreviations must be spelled out completely on initial appearance

in text; Pages must be 8 ½" x 11" (216mm x 279mm); Pages must be single-spaced, with no more than six lines of type per inch; All text must be in 12 pt. Times New Roman font; Condensed fonts will not be accepted; Colour imagery is acceptable* but the text should be in black; All margins must be set at a minimum of ¾" (1.87 cm); Do not introduce hyperlinks in your documents; If you have supporting documents written in a language other than English or

French, you are required to provide a certified translation of the document. * Applicants who decide to use colour imagery should be aware that the application may not be reviewed in colour. Use of colour increases the file size of your application, and may lengthen download and upload times.

15

16

Working with your UVic CIHR Coach

• Not a guarantee that you will get the scholarship!

• Application material, ideas and discussion will remain confidential

• Positive criticism

• Technicalities not addressed

17

Transcripts

Up-to-date official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate studies should be included in the application. Retain the paper copy of any uploaded transcripts, as you may be asked to provide it for verification purposes.

*If you have not provided the up-to-date official transcripts needed to determine whether you have achieved a first-class average in each of the last two completed years of study (full-time equivalent), your application will be deemed ineligible.

Canada Graduate Scholarships-Masters (CGS M) TranscriptsTranscripts must be scanned in accordance with the following presentation standards and uploaded by the applicant in the appropriate section of the application:Scanned together as a single document. Include one copy of the legend (reverse of each transcript). Do not scan the legend multiple times. PDF file (.pdf extension); unprotected.Maximum file size of 10 mb (black and white recommended).Page size 8 ½ in. x 11 in. (216 mm x 279 mm) or A4 (210 mm x 297 mm).Transcripts text orientation should be upright (if possible) and must be readable on a computer monitor without any adjustment by the viewer. If you have transcripts written in a language other than English or French, you are required to provide a certified translation of the transcripts.

Planning for Success

Grades matter! Sponsor Letters are very, very important –

choose wisely Emphasize publications, research

experience, professional experience A strong training environment where you

will get exposure to research and have research networking and mentoring opportunities is essential

Context and Support Matters! work on the research proposal and the full application in

collaboration with your supervisor/mentor proofread your application … carefully! show the complete application to their supervisor/mentor, peers

and other researchers for feedback Be prepared to produce multiple drafts If you can, set up an internal review system – other students

who have been successful, other applicants, profs, etc. Even if not successful you will produce a draft of your thesis

proposal so think positive

20

• A well-laid out proposal says to a committee “this person knows what they are talking about and they have taken as much care with their proposal as we are now doing.”

• Reviewers are busy people and have many proposals to read. Make yours one they will want to read!

• Ensure you convey what you are proposing is relevant, unique, and will benefit the health of Canadians

The “Narrative”

General Tips

Explain your approach to understanding the research problem both analytically and practically. Clarify your terminology in relation to the theoretical and scholarly literature

Chart how you will undertake the research, particularly your strategy for study and writing

Justify your choice of supervisors with respect to your research

Estimate the contribution your research will make to the field, with respect to material and critical outcomes

Place the research within your longer term academic goals

Write for meaning not effect, remembering that complex ideas and information can be articulated as effectively through simpler vocabulary and articulate syntax AND remember that adjudicators value concise grant applications

AND….....

• Allow plenty of time for preparation and for review!

21

22

• Assessors may have the kind of specialized knowledge you need, but a committee will not.

• Provide a rapid introduction for intelligent non-specialists.

• Provide appropriate (and recent!) references.

Think about the ‘audience’

23

• Committees are not only not infallible and tired, they are also starting with imperfect information about you and your institution.

• Give them the information you know is essential to your case, straightforwardly and succinctly.

Provide Information Clearly

24

• If you are critiquing existing models or approaches in the literature,

• do so lucidly, without partisanship, and

• demonstrate clearly why your approach is better.

• Be precise.

Critiques

Tips for Soliciting Great Scholarship Reference Letters

Probably the most overlooked part of the application process. All applicants being considered for a competitive scholarship program are already first class, so the letters can help to distinguish you from a pack of outstanding applicants by highlighting your uniqueness!

Choose your referees wisely. You have more control over this part of the process than you think. Think of the reference letter as an integral part of the scholarship application package that will present an accurate and complete picture of your achievements and research potential. Your referees should be familiar not only with your academic abilities, but also with your personal interests and background and how those relate to and enhance your ability to carry out the proposed research

Provide your referees all the information they need to write a strong letter. The more information a referee has to draw from, the better the case for support he/she can make for you. And as an added bonus, discussion around your research proposal can help you clarify your own goals and objectives for the project. Supply a referee with the following information: your CV; your proposed course of study and area of research; a comprehensive draft of your research proposal; your academic record; and a personal statement that includes career goals, interests, and extracurricular activities. Finally, it is vital that the referee knows the selection criteria and weighting (if applicable) for the scholarship, the required format and length for the reference letter, where to send it, and the deadline for submission. Always follow up to ensure the letters have been submitted and acknowledge the referee’s support.

Ask that the adjudication criteria be specifically addressed

in the reference letter. (Refer to the Selection Criteria on reverse.) Relating your achievements, skills, and research directly to the adjudication criteria strengthens your case for support. Ideally, a reference letter should specifically address your academic excellence, research potential, publication record, oral and written communication skills, and your interpersonal and leadership abilities. A referee should be able to support his/her claims with specific, concrete evidence and comment on your academic achievements in order to indicate your research potential. A reference letter also provides an opportunity to emphasize extraordinary achievements in light of where you are in your program and your research career. To assist your referee, provide information to highlight these relationships.

25

Be Bold!

What gives you the edge over others being considered? What makes you memorable?

Adjudication committees look for the extra excellence of a student when considering their evaluations.

Unique qualities and skills, such as communication and leadership abilities, can be demonstrated through participation in extracurricular and community activities, and volunteer service. Most committees look at what you have already accomplished, but even more so, your potential to accomplish more in the future.

26

27

Arrange your own peer ‘preview’

• Ask a friend who is not overly familiar with your research to read your proposal some day/evening when he/she is tired and see if it makes sense.

• Then ask your friend to tell you which bits are confusing, or that had to be read twice.

• Then sit down again and work on getting rid of the jargon, or the long sentences, or . . .

28

• Scholarship competitions are still going to be, on occasion, unfair.

• After one rejection, do not despair. . . or at least, not for long.

• There will be comments that come with the decision.

• Take the advice that makes sense to you; ponder the rest, and then accept or reject it.

Final Observations

Summary

Five Steps Get going on the Common CV Find your Referees and get them

committed Assemble your application

Submit your application Await notification of decision

29

Where to now? How do I remember all this information?

All the information presented today will be available on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website under External awards and fellowships

http://www.uvic.ca/graduatestudies/finances/financialaid/externalawards/

30

Local help 1. Questions about the CGS-M Application or Masters CCV applicationprocess??

Faculty of Graduate Studies Scholarship Officers

Yvonne Rondeau: scholoff@uvic.ca

Kathy McCarthy: fgsaward@uvic.ca

2. Questions/guidance with your research proposal content

Dr. Patricia MacKenzie: patmack@uvic.ca

31