We build understanding

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We build understanding
Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council
of Canada
Conseil de recherches ensciences humaines du
Canada
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Canada Graduate ScholarshipsMasters program
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
September 2006
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SSHRC Mandate

• Promote and support research and research
  training in the social sciences and humanities
• Provide advice to the Minister of Industry, the
  Honorable Maxime Bernier

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SSHRC research training support

• Canada Graduate Scholarships (MA and PhD)
• SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships
• SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships
• Research Assistantships and Student Stipends
  through research and strategic grants

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Canada Graduate Scholarships, MA program

• Objectives
• Value, Tenure
• Eligibility
• How to Apply
• Selection process
• Program of Study
• A Good Application and Good Letters of Appraisal
• Where to Get Help

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Objectives

• Develop research skills
• Assist in the training of highly-qualified
  personnel
• Support Canadas best graduate students in the
  social sciences and humanities

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Value, tenure

• 17,500 for 12 months, non-renewable
• Can be held only at a recognized Canadian
  university

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Eligibility to apply

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• Have achieved first-class standing in each of the
  last two years of study
• Pursuing your first Masters degree
• Completed no more than 12 months at the graduate
  level by the expected start date of the award

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Eligibility to apply

• If not currently registered at a university, you
  must have completed your Bachelors degree no
  earlier than January 1, 2002.
• Not be applying in the 2006-2007 academic year to
  NSERC or CIHR
• Not be pursuing a degree program that combines
  undergraduate and graduate degrees
• Not have already received an award for
  Masters-level study from SSHRC, NSERC or CIHR.

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Eligibility to hold an award

• Registered full-time Masters student
• Admitted, unconditionally, to a program that
  includes advanced research training
• Conducting research in an area that falls within
  SSHRCs mandate
• Must have completed all requirements for your
  Bachelors degree

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How to Apply Key Dates

• Application
• For students registered at a Canadian university
  in 2006 date set by university
• For all others November 30, 2006
• Results Announced Spring 2007

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Reminders

• SSHRC will accept official transcripts only

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(No Transcript)
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(No Transcript)
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(No Transcript)
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Selection process Allocations

• University Allocations
• Role of the Department, Faculty of Graduate
  Studies, University Committee(s)
• Results

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Selection Process Evaluation criteria

• Academic excellence, 60
• Research potential, 30
• Communication skills, 10

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Program of Study (maximum of 2 pages)

• Explain why you would like to pursue graduate
  studies
• Indicate at which university you would like to
  undertake your studies as well as the program in
  which you are interested
• Outline the research training component of that
  degree program
• Outline your research proposal

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Program of Study Special cases

• If your proposed research is in Psychology, you
  must justify your submission to SSHRC, rather
  than NSERC or CIHR
• If the output of your degree program is an
  artistic creation, rather than a thesis
• If your program does not involve a thesis

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Research Training Component of a Masters Program

• The scholarship is tenable only in programs
  of study that include significant research
  training i.e.
• demonstrating the ability to conduct research
  and/or
• completing course work in research methods and/or
  statistics and/or
• acquiring knowledge sufficient to interpret
  research in the field.

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A good application

• Demonstrates
• strong academic record
• excellent potential to conduct advanced scholarly
  research
• strong communication skills
• ability to successfully complete the Masters in
  a timely manner
• Is clear, concise, coherent, error-free and
  complete

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A Good Letter of Appraisal

• supports the information in the application
• is enthusiastic
• focuses on the applicant's skills and past
  achievements
• focuses on the applicant's research potential
• stresses strengths and personal attributes
• demonstrates why the applicant is of superior
  calibre and worthy of a prestigious national
  award.

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Good Application Reminders

• Read program description and application
  instructions carefully
• Get someone to read and comment on your Program
  of Study
• Check that your application is complete and
  correct
• Let referees know the deadline
• Ensure your list of publications provides
  complete bibliographic information
• Indicate your proficiency with any language
  required for your research

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Good Application Reminders (continued)

• Do not start applying at the last minute
• Do not use jargon or highly technical language
• Do not use a font size smaller than 12 pt.
• Do not exceed page limits or send more
  information than the instructions require
• Do not include research contributions which
  havent been accepted for publication

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University help

• Supervisor
• Peers
• Past SSHRC Award Holders
• Department Head
• Faculty of Graduate Studies

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SSHRC help

• For more information about the CGS Masters
  program(613) 943-7777 or cgs_at_sshrc.ca
• For technical assistance with the on-line forms
  [phone] or webgrant_at_sshrc.ca
• Web site www.sshrc.ca

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We build understanding
Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council
of Canada
Conseil de recherches ensciences humaines du
Canada