CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY

GPLL431: Natural sciences, engineering, and

health - Developing your Master’s/Doctoral
scholarship application
Thesis programs
August 3rd, 2023

Cecilia Kramar, PhD

Advisor, Fellowship Application Development
School of Graduate Studies
cecilia.kramar@concordia.ca or book a meeting
External Awards for research-based programs
Funding Agencies
Federal (Tri-Agency)​ Provincial (Fonds de recherche du Québec)​

Social Sciences and Humanities Fonds de recherche du Québec –

Research Council
https://www.sshrc.ca
SSHRC
Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council of Canada
https://www.nserc.ca/
NSERC
Canadian Institutes of
Health Research
https://www.cihr.ca
CIHR
Société et culture
https://frq.gouv.qc.ca/en/scholarships-and-grants/
FRQSC
Fonds de recherche du Québec –
Nature et technologies
https://frq.gouv.qc.ca/en/scholarships-and-grants/
FRQNT
Fonds de Recherche du Québec –
Santé
https://frq.gouv.qc.ca/en/scholarships-and-grants/
FRQS

Selecting the appropriate agency is CRUCIAL

3
Special Entrance Award ($6000/Master’s, $10,000/Doctorate)
 Tri-Agency Awards
Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons
Pre-selection process in Concordia

Canada Graduate Scholarships – Masters (CGS M)

•Value: $17,500/year for 1 year (non-renewable)
•Application deadline: December 1st, 8 p .m. 2023

Doctoral Scholarships
•NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships (PGS D) $21,000/year
•CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS D) $35,000/year, up to 3 years
•Application deadline: October 13th , 4 p.m. 2023

Vanier CGS – Doctoral – NSERC

•Open to ALL citizenships (international students as well)
•Very competitive - $50,000/year for up to 3 years
•Application deadline: September 15th, 4 p.m. 2023
4
 Eligibility criteria
Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS M)

• Be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a Protected Person;

• Be enrolled in, or intend to apply for full-time admission at a Canadian
university in a program that has a significant research component;
• As of December 31 of the application year: have completed not more than
12 months of full-time studies in the program for which you are requesting
funding;
• Have first-class average, GPA 3.7 or A-, in the last two completed years of
study (full-time equivalent).
 Eligibility criteria
Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS D)
CGS D SSHRC NSERC CIHR
Program Canada Graduate Scholarships Doctoral
Doctoral Fellowship
Postgraduate Scholarship Program (PGS
Doctoral Research Award (CGS D)
Programs D)

Value: $35,000 per year $20,000 per year $21,000 per year $35,000 per year

Duration: 3 years Up to 4 years Up to 3 years Up to 3 years

Be a Canadian citizen, a Be a Canadian citizen, a Be a Canadian citizen, a Be a Canadian citizen, a

Citizenship permanent resident of Canada permanent resident of Canada permanent resident of Canada permanent resident of Canada
or a Protected Person or a Protected Person or a Protected Person or a Protected Person

Have completed no more than
24 months of full-time study in
Eligibility
their doctoral program by
requirements:
December 31 of the year of
application
Have completed no more than
48 months of full-time study in
their doctoral program by
December 31 of the year of
application
Have completed no more than
24 months of full-time study in
their doctoral program by
December 31 of the year of
application
Have completed no more than
24 months of full-time study in
their doctoral program by
December 31 of the year of
application
 FRQ Awards
Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and International students
(with restrictions)
Direct application in FRQ system

FRQ – Master’s
•Value: $20,000/year for up to 2 years
•Application deadline: October

Doctoral Scholarships – FRQNT and FRQS

•Value: $25,000/year for up to 12 semesters
•Application deadline: October

Programmes de bourses d'excellence pour étudiants étrangers (PBEEE)

•Specific for International students
•$25,000/year for up to 3 years
7 •Application deadline: July 31st, 2023
 Eligibility criteria
FRQ

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident AND have a health insurance card issued by the Régie de
l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ; or in the process of getting one)

If either of the above conditions is not met, the applicant must submit one of the following documents to be
eligible:

1. Proof of admission to a program of study eligible for this scholarship program at a Québec university
OR
2. An acceptance form from the research supervisor at a Québec university (“Supervisor’s form”).

Eligibility periods:
• Master’s: no more than 3 full-time terms (1 year), as of May 1, 2024.
• If you started the program before May 1, 2023, you are not eligible.
• You can apply before starting the program, BUT you should start your program between May 1, 2024 and January
15, 2025
• Doctoral: ≤ 15 semesters in the program by May 1, 2024.
 2023 Deadlines

Agency FRQNT FRQS FRQSC NSERC CIHR SSHRC

Master’s Oct 3, 2023 Oct 5, 2023 Oct 4, 2023 Dec 1, 2023 Dec 1, 2023 Dec 1, 2023

Doctoral Oct 3, 2023 Oct 5, 2023 Oct 4, 2023 Oct 13, 2023 Oct 13, 2023 Sep 29, 2023

CGS websites and forms should be updated in the ~coming month (Master’s even later)

Dates in RED are internal Concordia deadlines

Please verify all details in the coming weeks, once the relevant scholarship
instructions are posted – I will send an update
 Partial concurrent funding

The most common concurrent applications are Tri-agency + FRQ

Master’s: 1 year Federal + 1-2 years Provincial

Doctoral: 1-2 years Provincial + 3-4 years Federal
Post-Doctoral; 2-3 years Provincial + 2 years Federal

Applications can often be reworked and used between agencies

You can apply for tri-council and FRQ at the same time

Rare to hold them simultaneously, would “normally” be consecutive (depending on the agency)

10
Questions?
Main elements of an application
Checklists for you to review at your own time
 Competition overview
Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS M)

To apply to the CGS M program, you must complete and submit an electronic application using the Research
Portal. As part of the application, you will be asked to indicate your top three preferred institutions at which
you intend to hold the award .

A complete application should include the following:

• Application online (template attached – ‘CGS-M template’)
• Summary of proposal
• Outline of proposed research (1 page)
• Bibliography (1 page)
• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions that you have attended, even if no grades were assigned
or you did not complete the degree.
• Reference assessments (2)
• Canadian Common CV (CGS-M format – can be in French or English)
• Special circumstances letter (if applicable).
 Competition overview
Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarships – PGS D (NSERC)

A complete NSERC Doctoral application should have:

• Application Form 201 (online)

̶ CV is embedded in the Form
̶ Special circumstances statement (one page)
̶ Template attached ‘NSERC Doctoral Application Form Template’ (to be used only as guidance)
• Outline of proposed research (attachment; two pages)
• Justification for eligibility of proposed research (attachment, one page)
• Bibliography (attachment; up to five pages)
• Personal statements – Part I, II and III (attachment; two pages total)
• Transcripts and proof of registration (attachment)
• Reference assessments (2)

By applying for PGS-D, you are automatically entered into the CGS-D competition, requiring no further action on your part.
 Competition overview
Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarships – CGS D (CIHR)

A complete CIHR Doctoral application should have:

• A CIHR PIN in ResearchNet

• Application Form (online)
̶ Participants and Supervisor Signature page
̶ Signature of Institution Paid and Research Institution
̶ Lay Title and Lay abstract
̶ Here is a template of past years (to be used only as guidance)
• Training expectations (attachment; 2 pages)
• Research Project Summary (attachment; one page including references)
• Confirmation of Scientific Area
• Timelines
• Transcripts and proof of registration (attachment)
• Reference assessments (2)
• Canadian Common CV
• Birth certificate
 Competition overview
FRQNT Master’s –B1X
FRQNT Doctoral –B2X
A complete FRQNT application should have:

• Application Form (pdf)

• CV is embedded in the form (Degrees, scholarships, awards, etc)
• Lay abstract (in French)
• Proof of Quebec residency (RAMQ, if applicable)
• Special circumstances letter (if applicable)
• Expériences pertinentes et realizations - Research experience and contributions (attachment, up to 4 pages)
• Présentation intégrée du parcours – Personal statement/background history (attachment, 1 page)
• Outline of proposed research (two pages)
• Bibliography (1 page)
• Transcripts (attachment)

No letters of reference are required for the master’s and doctoral programs. The Canadian Common CV is not required.
Here is a file with all the information you’d need for Master’s (in French)
Here is a file with all the information you’d need for Doctoral (in French)
 Timelines

Where, when and how you should start

Funding timeline
July to August

Detailed instructions posted to agency websites

• Start NOW
August to September
GradProSkills information sessions and workshops available
• Allow at least 6-8 weeks for reference
letters
September to December
Applications due
• If institutional pre-selection or nomination
is required (e.g. Vanier), internal deadlines
December to March at Concordia can be weeks or months
Applications reviewed ahead of the agency deadlines

April to June
Results announced
 Planning calendar

8 Weeks to Deadline
- Target one provincial and one federal (tri-agency) program, verify the eligibility criteria
(you AND your program)
- Current funding to your supervisor is a good indication of where to apply
- Confirm the program and agency “fit” the work you are considering
- Brainstorm and refine ideas for what research to propose (may include a literature
search, or revised “angle” based on your chosen agency)
 Planning calendar

7 Weeks to Deadline
- Scrutinize the application forms and eligibility of the target program(s)
- If elements of the application are not clear, seek clarification (e.g. what proof of
residency/enrolment)
- Past applicants, research supervisor, SGS, or the agency itself
- Order relevant transcripts and plan for appropriate translation/certification (if
applicable)
- Start to populate your Canadian Common CV (or equivalent, as required)
- Brainstorm which references to involve (if needed)
- Start outlining your research proposal (Context, Aims/Objectives, Method,
Implications)
- Start outlining your personal statements (if applicable)
 Planning calendar

6 Weeks to Deadline
- Validate Common CV for your specific program/agency (do not upload “draft” CVs) or
make the proper link to your application
- Compile the publication lists and contributions statements that may accompany
the CV (as needed)
- Get feedback from your research supervisor on your research outline, and consider
discussing other open questions (e.g. who should act as my reference? what resources
(feasibility) can I point to within our group, department, school? Etc)
- Approach references and sponsors (aim for a conversation, are they willing to be a
“strong reference” and/or read your application. You should be able to send a draft)
- Seek out previous awardees (in your department)– and once you know them, ask
about examples or review (can occur earlier)
 Planning calendar

5 Weeks to Deadline
- Draft the research proposal in complete sentences, remember aim for a plan based on
a great idea
- Define a clear rationale and research question/aim/objective
- Break down 2-3 specific aims/objectives
- Define the method(s) and strategies that you will use
- Reference key studies, provide sections (e.g. introduction, aims, strategy,
discussion), and use italics/underline/bold when needed
- Send this draft proposal back to your current/potential supervisor for feedback
- Start refining your personal statements. Review your CV for missing information
- Start filling out the actual application
 Planning calendar

4 Weeks to Deadline
- Finish populating all remaining sections of your application
- Receive feedback from your potential supervisor, and stay open minded
- Revise proposal
- Keywords, review committees, or other classifications, start by asking your
research supervisor
- You can as well send your supervisor your personal statement for them to review and
give advice
- Get back to sponsors/references to update them on your status (send an updated
proposal perhaps). Remember to share with them your CV, proposal draft, personal
statement draft. Also, send them the guidelines of the competition and the guidelines
regarding their letters for them to be sure what to expect.
 Planning calendar

3 Weeks to Deadline
- Peer-review complete application with peers. If you line up a couple of people, try to
do this consecutively and not concurrently.
- Even exchanging within this class, or other applicants can be helpful!
- Again, stay open minded. If you pick the right people, they can help with nearly every
aspect
- Important that people become “excited” about what YOU are proposing
- Double check everything!
 Planning calendar

2 Weeks to Deadline
- Send the whole package back to your supervisor so they have a final chance to offer
feedback, and can see it all together
- Alternatively, other scholarship holders might also have helpful input
- While they do that, you can also take a fresh look at it – make sure that there are good
demonstrations of synergy/convergence (your experience, expertise within your
group, the right equipment or access to facilities, appropriate collaborations,
resources, and so on)
 Planning calendar

1 Week to Deadline
- Make final adjustments based on feedback from your research supervisor or others
- Remind your references (if they haven’t already submitted) that it’s due soon
- Remember, even though you’re getting bored with all of this – you want reviewers to
get excited
 Planning calendar

Submit at least 1-2 days before the deadline

Online portals are notoriously unstable in the last 4-6h of a competition

Questions?
Research Proposal

Let’s start working!

Research Proposal
• NSERC – (Doctoral: 2 Pages and 5 pages of references; Master's: 1 page and 1 bibliography)
• Provide a detailed yet concise 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.

• CIHR – (Doctoral: 1 page, including references; Master's: 1 page and 1 bibliography)

• Should clearly describe the applicant's role on the project. Should be written in general scientific language, which is an important skill to
acquire for future success in the research environment as applications are being reviewed by multi-disciplinary committees. Should be
specific, focused, include feasible research question(s), objective(s) and provide a clear description of the proposed methodology.

• FRQNT – (Doctoral and Master’s: 2 pages)

• Décrire avec clarté et cohérence la recherche proposée : les objectifs poursuivis, son originalité, le calendrier, etc. Préciser la pertinence
de la méthodologie, du cadre conceptuel et si applicable, préciser également la prise en compte des principes d’équité, de diversité et
d’inclusion (EDI) dans le cadre du projet, et/ou de son potentiel de contribution aux enjeux sociétaux, notamment ceux énoncés dans les
objectifs de développement durable des Nations Unies (ODD). Si cela ne s’ applique pas au projet, le justifier brièvement.

• FRQS – (Doctoral and Master’s: 2 pages)

• Décrire la problématique et les hypothèses de recherche; les objectifs de recherche; les méthodes et analyses; la faisabilité; les
contributions à l'avancement des connaissances; la prise en considération des objectifs de développement durable des Nations Unies,
dont les principes d’équité, de diversité et d’inclusion, si applicable
Research proposal
• Detailed description of the proposed research project for the period during which the award will be held

• Must be as specific as possible without being too jargon-laden

• Clear
• A friend colleague should be able to read it. Ask them to mark sentences or ideas that they had to read more than
once to understand
• Concise
• Respect the page, word, and margin limit.
• Balance the weight/space between sections
• Coherent
• Make a balanced argument for why/how/what/when. Answering the “why” without a solid “how” is just as futile
as the reverse. Facts only form an argument if you string them together properly
• Compelling
• You are the right person, asking the right questions, with the right tools, in the right ways, with the right
researchers, and at the right institution
• Avoid setting aims/objectives that would not have a clear answer
• Limitations should be acknowledged and proactively addressed
Action plan
- Brief discussion focused on one specific section of the Research
Proposal.
- You will be divided into groups of 2 or 3 students.
- Each group will have 10-15 minutes to discuss the designated section
of the proposal with their teammates, allowing time for everyone to
share their ideas.
- You can use the template we provided to you for start drafting or
just writing your ideas.

After the group discussions, we will meet again in the main room to
talk about the next section… and repeat the process.
Background / Context
Why is the research relevant?
• 20-30% or 1-2 paragraphs. Start with a strong statement that sets the importance of your
proposal

• Ideas that help set up your work (in the world or field) as important
• Context or premise. Getting insight ‘x is important because of y and z’
• For example, establish a “gap” in the literature/understanding, or point to recent
developments that make it an urgent question
• Ideas that are critically needed to understand or set up your question/hypothesis
• Background or previous work. Intro/history that leads to your specific hypothesis
• CAVEAT: Avoid bringing up ideas that are not addressed
• Applies to all areas
Objectives and hypothesis
What are your main goals?
• 10-20% of your proposal. Outline the experimental or theoretical approach. Make them clear and
concise. Enumerate your objectives if needed. The hypothesis should be easy to identify

• Avoid (too much) interdependence. If one fails, the other two should still stand a
reasonable chance of success
• Can probe at different “levels” of analysis
• Risk and reward can vary and be balanced between the three. For example, one low
risk/low reward, one medium risk/medium reward, and one high risk/high reward
• Set up the question/aim/objective so your method and analyses provides an answer either
way - Avoid unnecessary open-endedness
• Can depend (or amend) how you set up your context and introduction, may need to go
back and revise/reconsider the intro.
Methodology
How will you carry this out?
• 20-30% of your proposal. Explain the methodology you will use, cite work you might be basing it on.
Clearly describe the analysis you will perform to your data and what you will be looking for in there
to validate or not your hypothesis

• What will be done or measured - Sources? Procedures?

• How you will be doing it – Specify tools or techniques to be used
• How many (“n”) and relevant analyses you will be performing
• How will you analysis your data? – Statistics!
• Make sure it is feasible
• Appropriate? Controls or comparators?
• Are you expecting any contingencies? – You can mention and provide a plan B
• Often strong links between each method and specific aims/objectives

Be careful with the jargon. We still need the reviewers to understand what you will do, and more
importantly, that YOU know what YOU will be doing.
Significance
What will it accomplish?
• 10-20% of your proposal. We need a SO WHAT effect.

• Circle back to “big picture”, relate your results to the gap you addressed in the
context.
• Clearly specify your expected contribution to the field.
• Future research directions can be stated
• But do not forget about the expected contributions in the community. What would
be the wider societal benefits of the expected outcome of your research.
Extras to keep in mind

• Cite pertinent literature throughout

• There is a realistic timeline
• Proposed institution or supervisor is mentioned and it is relevant
• References are adequate
• It is not heavy on jargon
• It includes or mentions EDI aspects (race, gender or sex considerations, minorities, etc)
• It follows the competition's guidelines
Questions?
 YouTube Channel: In particular, Advice and Tips and other portal and
program-specific videos (and other CGS program videos, which are
harmonized across agencies)
Upcoming workshops
To register please visit GradProSkills website

GPLL430 - Funding-related research proposals in the natural sciences, engineering,

6th
and health (NSERC/FRQNT & CIHR/FRQS)
July
GPLL432 - Funding-related research proposals in the social sciences and humanities
13th
(SSHRC/FRQSC)
Questions? GPLL431 - Natural sciences, engineering, and health (NSERC/FRQNT &
3rd
CIHR/FRQS): Developing of your Master’s/Doctoral scholarship application
August
GPLL433 - Social sciences and humanities (SSHRC/FRQSC): Developing your
8th
Master’s/Doctoral scholarship application

6th GPLL445 - Funding Opportunities for Graduate Students in a Research program

GPLL446 - Improving your research funding application - Peer review exercises

September 13th
(SSHRC/FRQSC)

GPLL447 - Improving your research funding application - Peer review exercises

14th
(NSERC/FRQNT & CIHR/FRQS)
The Graduate Awards Team
(School of Graduate Studies)
• Mamoun Medraj, Associate Dean Recruitment and Awards
Email: Mamoun.Medraj@concordia.ca

• Cynthia Raso, Manager, Graduate Awards and Postdoctoral Studies

Email: Cynthia.Raso@concordia.ca

• Amy Vincent, External Awards Advisor

Email: Amy.Vincent@concordia.ca

• Jordan Carey, Internal Awards Coordinator

Email: Jordan.Carey@concordia.ca

• Cecilia Kramar, Fellowship Development Application Advisor

Email: Cecilia.Kramar@concordia.ca