PhD Funding Workshop

Linda Schweitzer

Looking for Funding?

http://www2.carleton.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/

Internal• Travel Award• Endowed Awards

External• OGS• SSHRC• Special Awards

You can search for relevant awards: http://www2.carleton.ca/graduate-studies/awards-funding/search.php

Awards at Carleton

A quick search for awards relevant to the study of Business returned 6 pages of results – here are some of them:

• Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)  Canada-Mexico Graduate Study Grant Program

• Canada Mortgage and housing Corporation's (CMHC) Housing Studies Achievement Award  CMHC Housing Studies Achievement Award 2009

• Carleton University  Baha'i Community of Canada Bursary for International Student• Carleton University  Board of Governors' Graduate Student Bursaries• Carleton University  Canada-China Friendship Award• Carleton University  Canada-China Friendship Bursary for Ontario Students• Carleton University  Carl Amberg Fund for International Students• Carleton University  David and Rachel Epstein Foundation Scholarships• Carleton University  Dr. Thomas Betz Memorial Award• Carleton University  Fred Barkley Special Bursary• Carleton University  George Mulligan Memorial Scholarship• Carleton University  Hamlin Graduate Bursary• Carleton University  Hamlin Graduate Fellowship• Carleton University  Hendrika Alice Eisen Memorial Fund

Internal Awards

Travel Award• $1,200 for students travelling to international conferences and

$600 for students travelling within Canada.• Considered on a case-by-case and first-come-first served basis.• Restricted to one application and one conference per academic

year - if funds are available, a second application may be considered

Internal AwardsEndowed Awards • From hundreds of dollars to a maximum of $20,000. • Provided by an individual or organization other than the research

councils or provincial government.  • Three kinds:

– scholarships based on academic merit; – bursaries based on financial need (and in some cases residency); – scholarships and bursaries based on specific areas of research

interest• Must be recommended by Faculty – but you may have to express

and interest to be nominated

External Awards• OGS - Provincial Funding• SHHRC (The Social Sciences and Humanities Research

Council of Canada)• Federal Funding - Tri-Council (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR)

• You can receive a lifetime maximum of four years of government-funded student awards.

• You cannot hold a SSHRC at the same time as an OGS award. • You may hold other awards that, together, have a maximum

value of $10,000 per year. • You may accept RA, TA positions while holding an OGS award.• You cannot be employed more than an average of 10 hours per

week.

OGS• Maximum of $15,000 per year ($5000 per term) • The province of Ontario contributes two-thirds of this amount

and the university provides one-third.• Awarded for one academic year. You must submit a new

application each year• Receive up to 4 OGS awards at the doctoral level during the

first 5 academic years of your doctoral degree program, but not after the fifth year.

OGS - Continued• Must be enrolled full-time in an approved graduate program

leading to a master’s or doctoral degree at an Ontario university; • Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have been

admitted to Canada with a Study Permit; • Must have an overall average of at least A-.• Must apply to the department in which you are currently

studying • PROCESS: Sprott ranks the candidates. All applications are

forwarded - there is no  overall university ranking and no quota.

OGS - Application1. OGS application form (2 pages)2. Student checklist3. Summary sheet4. 2 Academic Assessment Reports (References)5. Plan of Study6. List of scholarships/awards7. List of significant academic accomplishments8. Official, original transcripts – photocopies or print-outs from websites

are NOT accepted

OGS Application Continued1. OGS application form

• You must print this and submit it2. Student checklist

• You must include this3. Summary sheet

• Your departmental ranking committee will complete items 1 - 4 and sign the summary sheet.

• You must complete items 5 - 10 and submit this form • In addition, your current department will also complete a

departmental ranking sheet and submit it with your file to the ministry.

OGS Application Continued1. Two Academic Assessment Reports (References)

• The Ministry has provided a PDF fillable form which may be used by the person providing the reference

• A form on which the professor will rank you in 8 different categories in relation to all students at a similar stage PLUS a one-page signed letter of support elaborating on the assessment

2. Plan of Study• One-page plan of study.• Include bibliographies or references - additional pages will not be

accepted. • Letter-size paper, typed with single spacing, 12 point arial font, and

3/4 inch margins.

OGS Application Continued1. List of scholarships/awards

• One-page list of scholarships and awards. • Letter-size paper, typed with single spacing, 12 point arial font, and

3/4 inch margins. • List your awards and scholarships in reverse chronological order

starting with your most recently won• List only competitive awards and remember to list those you have

won but declined  

OGS Application Continued1. List of significant academic accomplishments

• A one-page list of significant academic accomplishments (e.g., teaching/research assistantships, scholarly publications

• differentiate between refereed, non-refereed, etc.• Include patents, conference presentations, and other evidence of

scholarly activities, etc.• Letter-size paper, typed with single spacing, 12 point arial font, and

3/4 inch margins. • Avoid “embellishing”, or including a paper described as “in

progress”• Provide brief explanations for accomplishments or accolades that

may not be clear to a reviewer  

OGS Application ContinuedNote: If you consider that you have special circumstances, you may add a

maximum of 100 words at the bottom of the Significant Academic Accomplishments page to describe any special considerations such as health problems, family responsibilities, disabilities, or other circumstances that have had an effect on your performance or productivity, including any delays in disseminating your research results or completing your degree. The weight to be given to any special circumstances will be determined by the OGS panels evaluating your application.

OGS Application Continued

2. Transcripts • Official, original transcripts from studies done in Canadian and

American Universities. • OGS will accept copies or photocopies of transcripts from foreign

universities where it is not possible to get another official transcript. However, the transcripts must be signed by the department or Graduate Studies office the student is applying through.

• You must sign the Applicant’s Declaration in black ink.• Part III at the bottom is optional in case you wish to authorize the

Ministry to release to the one or two persons (family members, friends, faculty, staff) you list any information contained in your OGS file for the 2009-2010 academic year and all prior academic years. The consent is valid only for the 2009-2010 academic year

OGS Evaluation Criteria

• Strong academic ability• Excellent potential to conduct advanced scholarly

research/advanced clinical training• Strong communication and leadership skills • The ability to successfully complete your studies in a timely

manner• Is clear, concise, coherent, error-free and complete• Presents a focused program of study

SSHRC• Doctoral Awards vs Faculty Awards (Standard or Special Research

Grants)• From $17,500 to $35,000 per year for a period of one to four years• Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; • PROCESS:

• Sprott ranks the candidates; • The university ranks the candidates - Carleton is given an allocation of x

number of applications that can be forwarded to SSHRC (recently between 60 and 65). Comments are made and applicants are asked to tweak/clean up their applications.

• 3 applications are sent by Carleton• This year, we had one Sprott student included in the applications sent by

Carleton to SSHRC.

SSHRC Continued• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program

• Tri-agency implementation of Budget 2008 announcement• A prestigious Canada Graduate Scholarship that will support 500

top Canadian and international doctoral students• Valued at $50,000 per annum for up to 3 years • To be held only at nominating university - not portable• International students are eligible• Eligible nominees who are not selected will be considered for the

regular SSHRC awards

SSHRC Application

1. Doctoral application form2. Program of Study (maximum 2 pages) 3. Bibliography/Citations 4. Research Contributions (if applicable, maximum 1 page) 5. Allowable inclusions (maximum ½ page) 6. All Undergraduate Transcripts 7. All Graduate Transcripts 8. Two Completed Letters of Appraisal in Sealed Envelopes (References) 9. Departmental Appraisal 10.Application checklist (You must include this checklist – it is considered

part of the application.)

SSHRC Application ContinuedGeneral

• Attachments must be single-sided, single spaced – no more than 6 lines per inch

• Body text in a minimum 12 point Times New Roman font• Margins set at a minimum of ¾” (1.87 cm)• Name appears within the set margins at the top right corner of

every page• Pages number consecutively following the last page of your

application (Application WEB) printout within the set margins of the document

SSHRC Application Continued1. Doctoral application form

• Complete every section without errors or omissions• Use correct codes• Must be printed and signed on page 3

2. Program of Study (maximum 2 pages)• Margin (minimum ¾ inch) and font size (minimum 12-pt)• Name of applicant must be on top right corner of each page

3. Bibliography/Citations • Follow consistent & accepted format• No page limit

SSHRC Application Continued1. Research Contributions (if applicable, maximum 1 page)

• Use consistent & accepted format• Separate peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed publications• Separate conference presentations & conference proceedings

2. Allowable inclusions (maximum ½ page) • Any special circumstances that may have interrupted or delayed the

completion of your current degree or a previous degree. Specify dates.

3. All Undergraduate Transcripts • Check that all institutions listed in Academic Background on page 4

are listed in Transcripts section.

SSHRC Application Continued1. All Graduate Transcripts

• Must be original2. Two Completed Letters of Appraisal in Sealed Envelopes (References)

• Ensure that your Referees only use the forms provided on the SSHRC websites– you can send them the direct link if they are not able to access it. You will need to provide your Referees required information at the top of the Referee forms before they complete their assessment

• Must have original signature• Check if referees listed did provide letters of appraisal

3. Departmental Appraisal 4. Application checklist (You must include this checklist – it is considered

part of the application.)

SSHRC Evaluation Criteria• Academic results (transcripts, awards, distinctions)• The merit of your program of study and research, and its

potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge• Relevant professional and academic experience, including

research training, as demonstrated by conference presentations and scholarly publications

• Referee letters • The departmental appraisal

A good application is clear, concise, coherent, error-free and complete. It also demonstrates: a strong academic record; excellent potential to conduct advanced scholarly research; strong communication skills; and the ability to successfully complete the graduate program in a timely manner.

Reference Letters• Give referees plenty of time – they need sufficient time to write you a

stellar reference• Approach professors who know your work best and can provide a strong

reference.• Talk to the professor personally - ask if he or she feels able to provide you

with a strong reference• Provide a copy of your unofficial transcript, a resume and a copy of your

application/research proposal.• Referees will be asked if they have read your Plan of Study or Statement

of Interest• Referees should include specific examples of activities that show the

candidate's research potential, communication skills and leadership ability.

Plan of Study• Show your program of study to someone to receive feedback Your application

may be reviewed by someone outside of your specific discipline• Don’t go into too many details about your thesis design or get too technical, but

don’t be too sketchy either• Don’t rely on generalizations. Be focused and concise• Be sure to read carefully any guidelines given by an agency on what they wish to

see in a plan of studies or statement of interest• Don’t claim to address or fix all the problems in your discipline• Be grammatical and avoid words or technical terms that exceed your grasp or

the scope of potential reviewers• Avoid platitudes and warm “fuzzies” about the importance of your interests or the

importance of your chosen discipline• Avoid grandiose claims of how you’re going to improve the world• Focus on tangible aspects of your interest

Plan of Study ContinuedDo’s• I plan to study how … • Research suggests that …• I plan to administer a survey to … The survey will include

measures of…• I will use structural equation modeling to test an hypothesized

model of the relationships among … measured in the survey.• I chose to pursue graduate studies in … because I am

interested in studying and working with …• In particular, I am interested in how … can be used to

Plan of Study ContinuedDon’ts• It is important to understand …• To date, no good research has been conducted in this area.

The research is limited because…• I plan to conduct a study that will help answer many questions

about this …• My study will be very important in helping …• I chose to pursue graduate studies in … because the profession

of … and my personality are undermined by the same values.• It’s important for all people to engage in meaningful occupations

and I plan to complete my graduate degree in … so that I can help people do the things that are important to them

Plan of Study Continued• Don't use jargon or technical terms

• Selection panels are interdisciplinary and will not necessarily understand sociological jargon.

• Be as concrete, practical and feasible as possible. • You have to look as if you know what you are doing, and can do it

within the time allotted for the degree. • Don't be vague or speculative about your plans for completing the

degree. • Don't list a number of different possible thesis topics, suggesting that

you have not yet made up your mind about what you want to do for a thesis or dissertation. You can change your mind later; don't express uncertainty about your plans in the application.

Plan of Study Continued• Don't spend an excessive amount of space listing courses and comp

areas. • These are easy to list. Many people will do it. They will not make

your application stand out. • Don't use sexist or racist terminology.

• Be careful with the universal 'he' (and similarly with 'him' and 'his'). It is better to rephrase, for example in the plural ('they'), unless referring to a particular person. (Of course, if you use the plural, make sure that the verb is plural!)

• Make sure that your text is grammatically correct. • Make sure there is coherence to your text and that your writing is logical

and clear.

Plan of Study Continued• Write several drafts. • Seek out the advice of faculty• Ensure there is consistency and integration all submission

components • Main ingredients in plan of study:

• Statement of a theoretical• Statement of a researchable substantive topic, problem, or

question• Critical review of a relevant literature. Be relatively brief. • Selection and justification of sources of empirical data. • Statement of the methodology.

Plan of Study Continued• Main ingredients in plan of study - continued:

• Statement of the research techniques to be used, such as questionnaires and interview schedules in the data collection, and statistical or qualitative techniques in the data analysis.

• Schedule for data collection, analysis, and write-up. Show that this is reasonable within the time allotted to complete the degree.

• Likely interpretation of the data you expect to find. • Contribution of your thesis to the advancement of knowledge. How

it helps to tell us something we did not know before, or helps to fill a gap in the literature. Will it change the way people in the field look at a question? This should relate back to your statement of the theoretical problem.

Plan of Study ContinuedQuantitative Format•  The problem and its setting

– Statement of the problem and its subproblems– Statement of hypotheses– The delimitations (what the researcher is not going to do)– Definition of terms– Statement of assumptions– The importance of the study

• Review of related literature 

Plan of Study ContinuedQuantitative Format Continued• The data and the treatment of data

– The data needed and the means for obtaining the data– The research methodology– The specific treatment of the data for each subproblem

• Subproblem 1 (restate subproblem 1)– Data needed to address this subproblem– Treatment of the data

• Subproblem 2 (restate subproblem 2)– (continue as outlined for subproblem 1)

• Qualifications of the researcher (may also include brief statement of supervisor’s qualifications)

Plan of Study ContinuedQuantitative Format Continued• Outline of proposed study (steps to be taken, timeline, etc.)• References• Appendices   

Plan of Study ContinuedQualitative Format • Introduction

– General background for the study– Purpose of the study– Guiding questions– Delimitations and limitations– Significance of the study

 

Plan of Study ContinuedQualitative Format  Continued• Methodology

– Theoretical framework– Type of design and the assumptions that underlie it– Role of the researcher (including qualifications and assumptions)– Selection and description of the site and participants– Data collection strategies– Data analysis strategies– Methods of achieving validity

  

Plan of Study ContinuedQualitative Format  Continued• Findings

– Relationship to literature– Relationship to theory– Relationship to practice

• Management plan, timeline, feasibility• References• Appendices  * Leedy, Paul D. and Jeanne Ellis Ormrod (2001), Practical Research:

Planning and Design, 7th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

  

Recommendations from the Sprott Ranking Committee (2008)

•  Recommendation letter and plan of study should agree, e.g., industry sector, field of study (strategy vs. policy)

• Plan of study must be reviewed prior to submission for content (complete plan of research) as well as style (spelling errors).

• Using the expression ‘hoping to’ sounds weak• Get your terminology straight, e.g., very unlikely an MBA student would

be an ‘associate editor’ for a special issue of journal• Use the colour of ink the application asks for• Provide details of how you will accomplish your research • Ask referee if they feel they can provide a good recommendation.

Getting a letter which essentially says nothing more than you are in the program doesn’t really support your application

Recommendations from the Sprott Ranking Committee (2008)

• For SSHRC: follow an accepted format for references (choose one and stick with it). References need to be complete (e.g., shouldn’t have year or journal name missing)

• Why did you choose Sprott? Potential supervisor – should link to reference letter

• Program of Study should be more than a term paper but still feasible in terms of being able to accomplish it in 4 years

• Make sure to identify data sources (issues of access and/or sample size, how they will be overcome, etc.) and analysis methods (do you have experience with these methods, have you taken specific training courses, etc.)

Recommendations from the Sprott Ranking Committee (2008)

• Who benefits from your research? Policy implications, disciplinary progress, society as a whole (e.g. taxpayers)– Don’t be shy, but be realistic

• Reference letter should comment on your ability to create knowledge, originality of thought or approach

• The application will be taken as an example of your writing skills

Ways to Piss off the Committee (Douglas M Peers, University of Calgary)

• Claim that nobody has ever done anything vaguely related to your topic before.

• Invent your own format for providing bibliographical information.• Tell the committee all kinds of things about yourself which were not

requested and which are not relevant to the application.• Ignore the rules on page length, margins and spacing.• Rely exclusively on your spellchecker – there is considerable difference

between public affairs and pubic affairs.• Ignore grammar rules• Avoid punctuation• Double-count publications in your c.v.• Avoid paragraphs• Invent some new acronyms• Use as many acronyms as you can, but then change their spelling part

way through the application.

General• Go to the grant workshops EVERY year• Follow all instructions and guidelines• Respect page limits and margins• Don’t make any mistakes!• Spend an EXTREME amount of time on your Plan of study• Get Help!• Use the most up-to-date forms & instructions – these

change in MINUTE ways every year• Do not give the committees ANY excuse to dismiss your

application