1. Fellowship and Scholarship Programs Information Session for Students

2. What is SSHRC?
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. It supports research that is primarily in the social sciences and humanities; it also aims to develop research skills by supporting Canada’s best graduate students in these areas.
Review the updated General Guidelines for the Eligibility of Subject Matter at SSHRC to confirm that SSHRC is the place for you! This section is especially important if your research is related to health or in Psychology.

3. Funding Opportunities
To identify the funding opportunities available through SSHRC, visit the SSHRC home page (
Specific awards can then be located by clicking on funding  Talent Program.

4. Doctoral Awards Programs
Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) – Doctoral Program
$35,000 a year for 36 months
Can be held at a recognized Canadian university
SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship Program
$20,000 a year for up to 48 months
Can be held at a recognized university in Canada
or abroad
Apply for both awards with one application
Applicants apply for both awards by completing one application form. If applicants are eligible for both awards, SSHRC will automatically consider them for both.

5. Doctoral Awards Programs
Application quotas are provided to each university: UNB’s quota for the doctoral awards program is 20.
Applications submitted by students are reviewed and ranked by their department/faculty and then by a university committee. The top 20 files will be submitted to SSHRC for the national competition (not ranked).
Direct applications for a Doctoral Award are accepted by SSHRC only from students who are at a university that did not receive a quota (due November 7, 2017).

6. Doctoral Awards Programs
Applications are due FIRST to your Faculty/ Department, usually mid/late October
The Faculty/Department sends ranked applications to SGS: November 6, 2017
The University Selection Committee produces a ranking of the applications. Students will be notified of the status of their application: December 8, 2017.
Revised applications are due to SGS: December 20, 2017
UNB Applications due to SSHRC: January 9, 2017
SSHRC Competition Results: mid/late April 2017

7. Eligibility to Apply – Doctoral
Must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
Must be applying for support for first PhD
Must be applying to ONE Tri-Council Agency only
Must not have already received an award at the same level from SSHRC, NSERC, or CIHR
Must have completed or about to complete a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree OR must be enrolled in a PhD or equivalent or a combined MA/PhD program
An applicant’s year in course is calculated by counting the number of months of doctoral study completed by December 31 of the year of application. Must be 40 months or less in a Doctoral program.

8. Eligibility to Apply – Doctoral
How to Calculate # of Months of Doctoral Study
# of months of full-time doctoral study completed by Dec 31 of this year – include all previous doctoral studies in the same discipline, include courses that were credited to the PhD but were taken before official registration in a PhD program
# of months of part-time doctoral study completed by Dec 31 of this year – as above
If you have studied part-time, changed your degree status from full-time to part-time, or interrupted your studies, you need an official letter (from SGS) specifying dates.

9. Eligibility to Hold an Award – Doctoral
Must be unconditionally admitted to or continuing in a PhD program or a combined MA/PhD program in the social sciences or humanities
Must be registered as a full-time student (possible to hold award part-time for parental or medical reasons)
Must be conducting research in an area that falls within SSHRC’s mandate
Awards start in May or Sept 2018 or Jan 2019

10. Applying For Funding
You will need a user ID and a password to access your application. Know what it is; write it somewhere.
Print the program description and the instructions for how to complete the application (the application form and the attachments). USE THEM!
e.g., Current position, Academic background
Click on the Resource Center and the FAQS sections – both contain information that may be helpful.
Once you start developing your application, save your work often.

11. Applying For Funding
You must complete the electronic version of the application and then print a copy for submission. You must also complete, print, and sign the Consent to Disclosure of Personal Information Form.
You must include a transcript from UNB and from all other institutions attended; UNB transcript can be unofficial at this stage; all others must be official.
You must include two letters of appraisals from referees*: Provide them with materials to prepare a strong letter (e.g., CV, transcripts, previous work, and working copy of your program of study)

12. Preparing a Program of Study (2 pages max)
Clearly state your current level of study;
Identify the degree program you will pursue, including relevant courses, and provide an explanation for your choice (e.g., opportunity to work with Dr. X); 
Give a brief description of your honours and/or Master's research/program, if applicable;
Provide a plan for your research, including the research question(s)/objectives, background, methodology, and a statement about how this work will advance knowledge on the topic

13. Preparing a Program of Study (2 pages max)
If your research proposal is related to health or is in psychology, justify your submission of this proposal to SSHRC (rather than to NSERC or CIHR) based on the eligibility guidelines.
If the output of your degree program is an artistic creation rather than a thesis, indicate clearly the research component of your proposed work.

14. Other Bits
Bibliography and Citations (5 pages max)
Research Contributions (1 page max)
Refereed contributions, other refereed contributions
non-refereed contributions, forthcoming
Departmental Appraisal page: submit this page blank with your application (insert identifying info at the top); the rest of the page is completed by your Department or Faculty and is added to your application before it is submitted to SGS.
The Application Checklist

16. Evaluation Criteria Used by Multidisciplinary Selection Committees
Academic Results: Transcripts, awards
Program of Study: Potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge
Professional and Academic Experience
research assistantships, other relevant work experience
publications, conference presentations
Letters of Appraisal
Departmental Appraisal

17. Tips for Writing A Good Application
A good application demonstrates a strong academic record; excellent potential to conduct scholarly research; strong communication skills; and an ability to complete successfully the graduate program in a timely manner.
Read the instructions carefully and follow them exactly (e.g., adhere to format guidelines, respect page limits).
Use plain language
Indicate your proficiency in any language required for your research.

18. Tips for Writing A Good Application
Get feedback from a supervisor and/or others on the program of study.
Be sure to state clearly how your proposed work builds on previous work and why is it important.
Start your application when you leave today!

19. If you have questions, please contact…
Your supervisor
The Director of Graduate Studies in your Department or Faculty
Past SSHRC award recipients
The School of Graduate Studies:
Kyle Hampsey, Student Services Officer
and/or
Dr. Heather Sears, Assistant Dean

20. THANK YOU