NSERC and other scholarships and PDFs Michael D

NSERC (and other) scholarships and PDFs Michael D Higgins, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi GAC meeting, Halifax, May 2005 1

The composition of the committee. • Many NSERC committees for scholarships and bursaries • (May change soon) • Now: the Earth Sciences and Ecology committee. • • Members are volunteers – unpaid! From universities, government and industry Value of applied versus pure research varies Ecology dominates: of the nine members 2 to 3 are earth scientists. • Most ecologists are biologists working in modern systems • Many have little knowledge of earth science 2

How your application is evaluated (1) • Read by two members of the committee • Generally in your field, but – conflict of interest, – specialty may not be available. • All members have all applications • Any member who has a conflict of interest must leave the room. • Each member reads about 80 -100 PGS and 30 PFD applications • Make their life easy! • Previous applications not available 3

How your application is evaluated (2) • The committee meets in Ottawa for 5 days • They work fast – allocations: – PGS masters = 3 minutes – PGS doctoral = 4 minutes – PDF = 9 minutes • 2 members present the candidate and application. • There is then a short discussion followed by voting. • Four criteria are used: – – academic excellence research potential oral and written abilities interpersonal and leadership skills. 4

How your application is evaluated (3) • Each criteria is marked from 10 to 99. • Study abroad also from 10 to 99. • All members vote secretly and the total is calculated automatically. • The weighting is different at each level (PGS maters, PGS doctoral and PDF), but academic excellence and research potential dominate. • At the end of the meeting the applications are awarded solely on the basis of the marks. • The process is ‘equal opportunity’. • There are no quotas or affirmative action. • Awards may be given, but tenure abroad denied. 5

Language of the application • • • French or English. All members read English Most read French Ensure that your referees can read your application. Strategy? • If the form requires plain language – use it! • Get your application read critically by colleagues and friends 6

Academic background • • Diversity of background of education More important at PDF If unable to move explain why Simply stating that this university is the best, without evidence, may not be politic 7

Academic and research experience • Commitment to research in this section. • Diversity of employment – University – Government – Industry • Even short jobs and unpaid work can be put here • Do not put in studies (we know you are a student) • Employment in unrelated fields (e. g. Mc. Donald’s) can weaken an application • Volunteer work looks good 8

Justification of tenure abroad • Be specific – Why this laboratory is best for your work – What comparable labs are in Canada. • Get a letter from the laboratory • Get a letter from a Canadian expert • You may just want to live in a new country, but that is not an adequate reason 9

Scholarships and bursaries • • • ‘Mathew’ effect – not fair but. . . Your should give details, if you have the space Were the scholarships competitive? How many are awarded? What was their value, monetary or otherwise? Be honest – do not put in salary from your supervisor as a scholarship. • If a scholarship is an automatic top-up grant for another scholarship (e. g. NSERC) then say so. • Citizenship issues and accessibility 10

Research publications - Papers • You can’t have too many papers (within reason) • Importance rises with level – Vital at PDF level (at least 2 -4) • • • Testify to your written skills. If journal is not well known give details. You can elaborate on your contribution. Indicate if the paper was related to BSc, MSc or other work. Confidentiality agreements give details 11

Conferences • You can’t have too many abstracts (within reason) • Shows that you want to participate in research • Nature of conference: – Local, Regional, National; – student / professional; – specialist / general. • Do not try to pass off term papers or course work as conference presentations. • Awards and honors – Invited speaker – Best presentation 12

Outline of proposed research • You must write this yourself. • At PGS level base it on the project description from your supervisor • Phrases such as ‘The candidate will be analyzing…’ are deadly. • Importance increases MSc Ph. D PDF 13

University transcripts • • Used to determine academic excellence for PGS applications Not so important at the PDF level Most transcripts are not easy to read or understand Unusual results or an unusual situation, comment on it in the ‘Special circumstances’ 14

Oral and written excellence • • • How well do you write and speak? Statements of excellence by referees Not very strong – unless backed by evidence Awards and prizes for presentations and papers Any level OK, but national etc more impressive • If your local or regional conferences do not have such awards then act to institute them • Then put this in your CV! • The proposal itself is also used as a measure of written excellence • Excess pages are removed - NOT GOOD! (deadly at PDF) 15

Interpersonal and leadership skills. • Professional activities in your field: • Organising conferences, field trips, courses • If this was a challenge then tell us • Mentoring in high schools or for starting students • Community activities • Sports – different opinions! 16

Choosing referees • • • Familiar with you and your performance. Talk with your referees before you ask for a reference. Include your BSc / MSc thesis supervisor. – If not possible or politic say why - ‘Special circumstances’ • • Project leaders in industry or government Do not use non-professionals • Use referees to reveal details of your life – – – Handicaps Accidents Difficult personal events First nations background Other diversions (like children). 17

References – how to write them • Be honest • Address assessment criteria – Research potential – Communications skills – Leadership abilities • Address strengths of candidate – Be personal if possible – Mention how you know these things (Evidence) – Mention special aspects of candidate • Fill the space • Write a new reference for each candidate 18

Summary • • Be clear and follow the rules. Be honest. Show your positive qualities. Make it easy for us to sell you to the committee 19

DON’T PANIC GOOD LUCK 20