1. Award Values of Graduate Student NSERC Scholarships
CGS M
PGS M
CGS D
PGS D
Value
$17,500
$17,300
$35,000
$21,000
Duration
1 year
2 or 3 years
Tenure
Canadian universities ONLY
Canadian or foreign universities*
Canadian universities
ONLY
* Must have obtained at least one Canadian degree in NSE

2. Writing an NSERC Post Graduate Scholarship Application
Workshop Agenda
Introductions
An Overview of a Complete Application & Checklist
Discussion of how your Application will be Evaluated & Ranked
Getting Started
Panel Session on completing each of the sections of the application
Verification of the Application and its Submission
Panel Members
• Gabe Alfaro, Ph.D. program, Molecular Biology and Biosciences
• Heather More, Ph.D. program, Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology
• Dr. Margo Moore, Biological Sciences
• Jeff Mowat, Ph.D. program, Chemistry
• Dr. Jian Pei, Computing Science
• Dr. Matt White, Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology
• Rachel Dawson, Graduate Awards Manager, Graduate Studies
• Dr. George Agnes, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies

3. An NSERC PGS application that is complete includes the following sections;
• Form 200
• Signed cover page
• Outline of proposed research (free-form)
• Contributions and statements (free-form)
• All official and current academic transcripts (undergraduate & graduate)
• Appendix 1 - Report on the Applicant (completed online or in a sealed envelope)
• Appendix 3 - Optional (Explanation of Delay or Gaps in Training Chronology)
• Submit the completed application to your Department
Websites
• NSERC online forms - PGS, form 200
(from this page, select ‘online services’)
• NSERC Program information for students
• NSERC blank form 200 -
• NSERC’s tips and suggestions for completing an application -
• SFU Graduate Studies, Notes from this workshop to be posted at -

4. Prosperity and high quality of life for Canadians
vision and mission
NSERC
discovery
innovation
We invest in:
Competitive research in science and engineering, providing access to new knowledge from around the world
EXCELLENCE
Productive use of new knowledge in all sectors of the economy and society
people
Highly skilled, well educated and capable of lifelong learning
Our goal is Canadian excellence in:
We do this through peer-reviewed competitions in three programs
WORKING IN ALL AREAS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
USING NEW
KNOWLEDGE
CREATING KNOWLEDGE
Research Grants for basic research in the universities
Scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate students, postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows and some university faculty
Partnerships of universities with industry and other sectors for project research

5. To Apply for NSERC Support You Must Be:
A Canadian citizen OR
A Permanent Resident of Canada
Exceptions:
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships Program (Vanier CGS)
Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships Programs (IPS)
Industrial Innovation Scholarships (IIS) - for those registered in Québec universities
Visiting Fellowships in Canadian Government Laboratories (VF)
Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE)

6. PostGraduate Student Scholarship Categories
Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS)
Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS)
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS)
Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS – MSFSS)
Industrial Postgraduate Scholarships (IPS)
Industrial Innovation Scholarships (IIS) for students registered at a university in Quebec
Summer Programs in Japan or Taiwan

7. Bachelors → Doctorate NO registration in Master's
Time in Graduate Program Eligibility: CGS/PGS M and D
CGS/PGS M
CGS/PGS D
Bachelors → Master's or
Master’s
→ Doctorate
Bachelors → Doctorate NO registration in Master's
Master's → Doctorate
Eligibility*
0-12 months in Master's
0-12 months in Doctorate
0-24 months in Doctorate
4-36 months in Doctorate
1st class average
Required in each of the last two years of full-time study (or equivalent) – Exceptions to be justified by university.
* As of December 31st of the year of application in program for which support is requested

8. Eligibility of Program of Study and Proposed Research
Both program of study and proposed research must be eligible / in a field that NSERC supports
Program:
Clinically-oriented programs of study are ineligible (e.g. clinical psychology)
Joint graduate programs including a professional degree are ineligible (e.g. MD/PhD)
Research:
Research challenge must lie within NSE
For awards held at universities, research must be supervised by faculty member whose own research is in an NSERC-supported field
May only apply to one agency per academic year.
If in doubt, contact NSERC
NSERC makes final decision

9. CGS/PGS Selection Criteria and Weightings

10. What Happens to the Application at Your University?
You submit to department/university
University committees select applicants to fill NSERC quota
Quota of applications sent to NSERC
University informs unsuccessful applicants

11. What Happens to the Application at NSERC?
Verification of eligibility of applicant and proposed research by Program Officers
Selection committee members review all applications
Top-ranked applicants offered CGS
PGS offered to next tier of applicants
Applicants informed of NSERC’s decision
Feedback available upon request

12. Academic excellence
Academic record
Scholarships and awards held
Duration of previous studies
Research ability or potential
Quality of contributions to research and development
Relevance of work experience and academic training to field of proposed research
Significance, feasibility, and merit of proposed research, and justification for location of tenure
Ability to think critically
Ability to apply skills and knowledge
Judgment
Originality
Initiative and autonomy
Enthusiasm for research
Determination and ability to complete projects within an appropriate period of time
Communication, interpersonal and leadership abilities
The ability or potential to communicate scientific concepts clearly and logically in written and oral formats. For example, this could include:
quality of the application's presentation;
participation in preparing publications; and
awards for oral presentations or papers.
Professional and relevant extracurricular interactions and collaborations. For example, this could include:
mentoring; teaching; supervisory experience;
project management;
chairing committees; organizing conferences and meetings; and
elected positions held.

14. NSERC: Getting Started
Give yourself (and your referees plenty of time)
Create a ‘to do’ list and add each item to your agenda (eg. NSERC reference and PIN, line up your referees and information for them)
Read through all eligibility criteria and instructions; highlight anything relevant to you or that you may need to refer to later on
Confirm your department’s deadline (around October 2nd or 5th)

15. NSERC: Getting Started
What browsers and operating systems are supported by NSERC’s On-line System? NSERC has optimized their system to work with browsers and operating systems that the majority of clients use. They are as follows:
Windows XP
Windows 2000
MAC
Windows 98
Internet Explorer 5.0x or higher
Yes
Netscape Navigator 6.0X or higher
Safari 1.0 or higher
Firefox 1.0 or higher

16. Form 200 - Proposed Research - Free Form
Summary of proposed future research project
Plain language
1 page max
Include specific wherever possible
Objectives, Outline, Methods;
Procedures, Significance, Anticipated Challenges & Solutions
Do not repeat info from Thesis summary
Refer to it!
Upload & convert document to PDF format online

17. NSERC: Outline of Proposed Research
Writing Tips
Follow the guidelines and format standards can be found in the instructions section.
Ensure that you abide by the page limits as outlined in the instructions; extra pages will be removed from your application.
Write in plain, clear language; your outline should be readable by someone with a background in the discipline but with no specialized knowledge of the particular field of research.
You should not repeat the information found in the “Theses completed or in progress” section, but may refer to it.
Provide a detailed description of your proposed research project for the period during which you are to hold the award. Be as specific as possible.
Provide background information to position your proposed research within the context of the current knowledge in the field. State the objectives and hypothesis, and outline the experimental or theoretical approach to be taken (citing literature pertinent to the proposal), and the methods and procedures to be used.
Be sure to state the significance of the proposed research to a field or fields in the natural sciences and engineering.
Include all relevant information in the outline. Do not refer members to URLs or other publications for supplemental information.
If the proposed research is a continuation of your thesis, clearly state the differences between work done for your thesis and the research activities outlined in this proposal.
PGS M applicants If you have not yet decided on a specific project, you must still provide a detailed description, as above, of a research project that interests you. You are not bound by this project. You may change your research direction or activities during the course of the award. Certain restrictions apply. For more information see the Award Holder’s Guide.

18. Form 200 - Thesis Information
For CGS/PGS D, IPS 2 and PDF Only
Most recently completed or in progress
Plain language
No Thesis?
Only describe research project or research-related work experience that is not on the free-form page under Contributions and Applicant’s Statement

19. Form 200: Contributions and Applicant’s Statement (Free Form)
Part 1: Articles published, accepted, submitted
Part 2: Most significant contributions to R&D
Part 3: Applicant’s statement:
research experience
relevant activities
special circumstances
Page limits: PGS M: 1 page total
PGS D: 2 pages total
PDF: 4 pages total

20. NSERC: Official Transcripts
NSERC will accept ONLY current and original official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended by each applicant. The only
exceptions to this rule are:
Where the student is unable to get an original from the issuing university because they do not produce them. An original letter from the university giving the exact dates of the student’s registration in the master’s/ doctoral program, and the date the degree was completed is required.
 Where the country is in a state of war, political upheaval or other types of disorder. In these cases, Canadian universities may provide photocopies of original transcripts for these students. These copies must be signed by Thea Hinds, the Scholarship Liaison Officer (SLO).

21. NSERC: Appendix 1 - Report on the Applicant (references)
Qualities that should be emphasized in your letters of reference include: research ability or potential, leadership and interpersonal abilities, critical thinking, independence, perseverance, originality, interest in discovery, and organizational skills.
Provide your referee with a list of the above qualities and some examples of how you have demonstrated them.
Make submitting the report easy for your referee; provide them with an addressed, stamped envelope and the date by which the document must be returned.

22. Appendix 1: Report on the Applicant by Referee ( 2 Independent Referee Reports are Required)
Person most familiar with applicant’s abilities: research, etc. - Usually thesis supervisor
Another person familiar with your abilities and research
Able to provide specific examples
Not proposed supervisor unless also past supervisor
Form must be signed by referee

23. NSERC: Appendix 1 - Report on the Applicant (references)
Each application submitted to NSERC must be accompanied by two original Appendix 1’s.
One report should be from a person very familiar with your research and other abilities, e.g. current academic research supervisor, industrial or USRA supervisor.
The second report should be from a person sufficiently familiar with your research and other abilities.
Appendix 1 cannot be completed by a proposed supervisor unless that person is, or has been, your supervisor.
To Do List
Provide your reference number (assigned once you have completed the on-line application) or a photocopy of your completed application to each of the reviewers. Provide the reviewers with the instructions and the original of Appendix 1 if they are not using the on-line system.
Allow sufficient time to enable each reviewer to complete, print and return the report.
All Appendix 1 or reports submitted on letterhead must be typed and bear the signature of the referee
If the reviewers submit a report on letterhead paper, they must also submit a signed copy of Appendix 1

24. Transcripts / Support Letters
Must be current and official
Indicate that paper copies will be attached
Support Letters
PDF Only – to make exception to stay at PhD university
Head of the Department
Proposed Supervisor

25. No electronic submission
A paper copy must be submitted
Create a form: Select the program Or Edit

26. No On-line application submission!
Remember…
Follow instructions:
Font size, margins, page limits etc.
Clear, concise writing
Proofread for spelling, grammar
Provide needed documentation
Choose respondents with care
Be aware of deadlines
No On-line application submission!

27. Common Mistakes Your department may accept applications with these
common mistakes, but DGS will not:
Applications that are handwritten
Applications that are not signed
Applications that are ‘not completed’
Applications missing one or both Appendix 1’s
Applications without official transcripts
Incorrectly formatted ‘Outline of Proposed Research’
Applications exceeding page limits

28. Common Mistake: Not Verifying Your Application
You cannot submit an application that has ‘Not Completed’ in the bottom right hand corner.

29. How to Fix: Verifying Your Application
Be sure to use the ‘verify’ button on the Portfolio page.
This will ensure that all mandatory fields are completed.

30. NSERC: Getting Started
Click the left hand menu’s “On-line Services” to log on to the electronic application.
Click on “Looking for an application form” only for samples. This link has .pdf’s of the applications and instructions.

31. NSERC: Complete the Application
Be sure to read and follow the instructions given.
For example, the ‘Work Experience’ page clearly states to list experience “Beginning with the most recent…”