1. How do I build a strong application package for scholarships and awards?
Saskatchewan Indigenous Mentorship Network
Monday, June 10, 2019
3:00 PM Health Science E2246

2. Who can apply?
be currently registered in a graduate degree program or have been recommended for admission to a graduate degree program in the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. 
Not be beyond their 3rd year for Master’s and 4th year for PhD.
Be registered full-time throughout the tenure of the award. 
Have a minimum GPA of 80% 
Self-Identify as Indigenous. Preference will be given to Indigenous - First Nations (Status or Non-Status) or Métis students who are residents of the province of Saskatchewan. However, the grant is open to Canadian Indigenous or international Indigenous students who attend the University of Saskatchewan and meet the award criteria.

3. How much is the award for?
This is a one time (non-renewable) award
Masters: $16,000 for one year, no possibility for renewal
PhD: $20,000 for one year, no possibility for renewal
Award is distributed over 12 monthly payments beginning in September

4. What do I need to include in my Mentee Scholarship Application?
SK-IMN Mentee Award   Application form 
SK-IMN   Registration form
Proof of Indigenous ancestry. See our website for what is considered acceptable proof of ancestry. 
Academic reference letter
Highlighting how the student is progressing in their program and the timeline for their research project
1-3 page research description highlighting:
The potential benefits and outcomes of the research
How mentorship will be incorporated into your research plan
Curriculum Vitae
Unofficial copies of transcripts

5. What is the purpose of the award?
To provide an award to an Indigenous graduate student pursuing research in indigenous health such as: public health and epidemiology, community based wellness and healing, cultural safety and humility, clinical research with a focus on Indigenous patient populations, Indigenous patient-oriented research, Indigenous traditional medicines and healing, chronic or infectious diseases, history of Indigenous peoples and disease/illness and healing, research with vulnerable populations within the Indigenous populations, social determinants of health, or colonization/decolonization and the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples. 

6. How is the award being assessed?
The application package is being looked at as a whole with consideration in the following categories
Concept – 25%
Significance, Benefits and Impact of the Research and relevance to Indigenous Health & Wellness
Feasibility – 50%
Approaches and Methods (25%)
Expertise, Experience, and Resources (25%)
Mentorship 25%
How is mentorship integrated into the research plan/proposal?

7. Concept – 25% Significance, Benefits and Impact of the Research and relevance to Indigenous Health & Wellness
Ensure your focus and process for the project is clearly articulated
Fully describe terminology (don’t assume reviewers know) and the implementation and implications of these terms.
Include your research question, goals and objectives
Describe your methodology
Describe and define who and what community your project engages (if project is community-based research)

8. Feasibility – 50% Approaches and Methods (25%) Expertise, Experience, and Resources (25%)
Include details on the research design, objectives and goals.
CV should demonstrate your interest in and capacity for research.
CV should demonstrate experience professionally and/or voluntarily.
Academic record should support CV and ability to engage in research.
If you are able to provide a timeline and/or an explanation for why your project is proposed length (if outside of standard completion dates), that is helpful for the reviewers)
Explain what gap in the research your project is filling (Why is it important/necessary?)

9. Mentorship 25% How is mentorship integrated into the research plan/proposal?
Describe the goals and potential outcomes of the mentorship relationship(s).
Ensure that the project description recognizes the need to attend to Indigenous ethics and protocols
Mentorship is woven throughout the project’s ‘vision.’
Applicant may wish to connect with mentors (Elders/knowledge keepers, community, academic, etc.) in putting together their application.

10. How do I write a strong 1-3 page research description?
Articulate a strong research question, goals and objectives
Letter of reference clearly outlines the mentorship being provided to the student/mentorship being sought by the student?
Clearly describe the methodologies being used

11. What happens if I receive the award?
Give a one-hour presentation of their research to the SK-IMN community
Be actively involved in SK-IMN mentorship and other activities
Attend the national NGGS Annual Gathering (where funds are available)
Have their research highlighted on our website. See past recipients here.