Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

For eligibility, please read the “Months of Doctoral Studies” carefully here. I encourage you to click on all the links to ensure you are familiar with all the pertinent application information.

DEADLINE: 12:00pm (PDT - Vancouver time) on Thursday, September 2, 2021 via ResearchNet

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) program is designed to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health-related fields. Canadian citizens, permanent residents of Canada, and international students are eligible to be nominated for a Vanier Scholarship, which is valued at $50,000 per year for up to three years.

Note:

• Given the continuing challenges related to COVID-19 and the difficulty of obtaining/processing paper transcripts, it is recommended that applicants order official transcripts that can be sent electronically from their previous institutions to UBC, rather than by mail, where possible.
• Vanier CGS requires official transcripts - unofficial transcripts are not accepted for non-UBC transcripts.  For details on transcript requirements, applicants are recommended to review our Vanier webpage (section ' Application Procedures').

Important note on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI):

The Vanier CGS program encourages equity, diversity and inclusion, as part of the Tri-Agency’s broader commitment to excellence in research and research training in Canada. Resources for applicants, institutions, referees and the selection committees are available here.  Applicants are encouraged to review Vanier’s EDI resources to incorporate EDI considerations in their application package.

Application

To apply, applicants must do the following:

1. Notify the ISGP (enid.ho@ubc.ca) that you intend to apply for the Vanier Scholarship.
2. Check with the ISGP to ensure we have all your official transcripts for ALL post-secondary studies up to August 31, 2021:
   - Confirm ISGP has all your official non-UBC transcripts on file (i.e. scanned copies of official transcripts sent/mailed to Grad Studies and uploaded to your UBC admission file as “official”)
   - Your UBC transcripts will be downloaded by the ISGP to be appended to your application. Your UBC record must show 2021 Winter registration. No need to order UBC official transcripts.
3. Request letters of support from four referees:
   - two letters from referees assessing the applicant's academic excellence, research potential and demonstrated and potential leadership ability are submitted electronically through ResearchNet by the referee
   - two Leadership Reference Letters (in PDF) are provided to the applicant, who uploads the letters to their electronic application file
   - applicants should provide potential referees with the Vanier selection criteria guidelines.
4. Create a “Vanier-Banting Academic” CV
5. Prepare the other required documents (research contributions, personal leadership statement, special circumstances [if applicable], research proposal, and project references).  The presentation standards set by Vanier must be followed.
6. Submit a completed Vanier application via ResearchNet by 12:00pm (PDT - Vancouver time) on Thursday, September 2, 2021.

Step-by-Step Application Instructions: click here.

For more information, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, and nomination procedures, please visit G+PS’ Vanier webpage.

Vanier Selection Criteria

Sample Proposal 1 - Vanier
Sample Proposal 2 - Vanier
Sample Proposal 3 - Vanier

Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarships - Doctoral (CGS-D) (*domestic students only)

Applicants applying through UBC will either be:

• currently registered in, or are on an approved leave of absence from, a degree program at UBC
• not currently registered in but was registered at any other time during the year of application (2021) in a degree program at UBC

Application will be submitted via each of the agency platforms. The application portals are now open and applicants may begin preparing their applications.

• CIHR: ResearchNet (application instructions)
• NSERC: On-Line System (application instructions)
• SSHRC: On-Line System (application instructions)

For application, nomination, and adjudication procedures that are specific to UBC, please visit the UBC webpage, which includes guidance for applicants on transcripts.

Applicants who need official transcripts file (PDF) may email Michelle Zapiola.

SSHRC/NSERC/CIHR Applicants: to be considered for the UBC Affiliated Fellowship, you must email this checklist to the Michelle Zapiola.

Deadline for SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR, and UBC Affiliated Fellowships: Tuesday September 14, 2021 @ 12pm (PDT)

Resources for award applicants here.

Eligibility

• be enrolled in a program of study that includes a significant research component that leads to the completion of a thesis, major research project, dissertation, scholarly publication, performance, recital and/or exhibit that is merit/expert-reviewed at the institutional level as a requirement for completion of the program
• be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, as of the application deadline date;
• have completed no more than 24 months of full-time study in their doctoral program by December 31 of the calendar year of application if previously enrolled in a master’s program
• have completed no more than 36 months of full-time study in their doctoral program by December 31 of the calendar year of application if enrolled in a joint program; for example, MD/PhD, MA/PhD
  • applicants who fall into this category have access to the 36-month window whether or not they were previously enrolled in a master’s program
• have completed no more than 36 months of full-time study in their doctoral program by December 31 of the calendar year of application if enrolled directly from a bachelor’s to a PhD program (with no time spent in a master’s program)
  • direct-entry applicants must be enrolled in their doctoral program at the time of application
• submit only one doctoral award application in a given academic year. Nominations to the Vanier CGS program do not count towards this limit;
• not have already received a doctoral-level scholarship or fellowship from CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC.
• Tri-Agency Doctoral applicants (ie. CIHR CGS-D, NSERC PGS-D, NSERC CGS-D, SSHRC CGS-D, SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship) must submit applications (click submit in the application system) by the application deadline (TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 14 at 12:00 noon PDT).  This step is required in order for their application to be considered.  Late application submissions will not be considered and will be ruled ineligible.

CIHR

• On the task list page, go to “Consent and Submit” and click on “Submit to Research Institution”.
• The system will not allow the application to be submitted until both references are submitted.  It is the applicants responsibility to check in with their referees (“sponsors”) in advance of the application deadline if references are missing. Late references will not be accepted.
• ResearchNet will not permit the application to be submitted if UBC’s application deadline of September 14 at 12:00 noon PDT has passed.

NSERC

• On ‘Portfolio’ page, click “Verify”.  This step will indicate if there are any incomplete sections in the application.  Then, click “Submit”.
• The system will not allow the application to be submitted until both references (“Reports on the Applicant”) are submitted.  It is the applicants responsibility to check in with their referees in advance of the application deadline if references are missing.  Late references will not be accepted.
• Note: The NSERC system is not able to list UBC’s application deadline, but the date and time of submission is recorded (i.e., every application is time-stamped).  To be eligible, applicants are required to submit their application in the system by September 14 at 12:00 noon PDT.

SSHRC

• On ‘My Portfolio’ page, click “Verify” for both ‘Curriculum Vitae’ and ‘Form’.  This step will indicate if there are any incomplete sections in the application.  Then, click “Submit”.
• The system will not allow the application to be submitted until both references are submitted.  It is the applicants responsibility to check in with their referees in advance of the application deadline if references are missing.  Late references will not be accepted.
• Note: The SSHRC system is not able to list UBC’s application deadline, but the date and time of submission is recorded (i.e., every application is time-stamped).  To be eligible, applicants are required to submit their application in the system by September 14 at 12:00 noon PDT.

Sample Proposal 1 - CIHR
Sample Proposal 2 - CIHR
Sample Proposal 1 - SSHRC
Sample Proposal 2 - SSHRC
SSHRC Doctoral Award Application - With annotations & Notes - SAMPLE (may look different this year)
NSERC Postgraduate (Doctoral) Scholarships Application (Form 201) - SAMPLE (may look different this year)

UBC Affiliated Fellowships (*open to int’l students)

The UBC Affiliated Fellowships doctoral competition runs in concert with the university-adjudicated Tri-Agency CGS-D competitions.
NOTE: Students who submit a CIHR, NSERC or SSHRC application to the ISGP are eligible for “unrestricted” Affiliated Fellowships and do not need to submit a separate Affiliated Fellowships application: to be considered for “criteria-based” affiliated fellowship(s), students must submit this checklist to Michelle Zapiola by Tuesday September 14, 2021.

- Check with ISGP that all your non-UBC post-secondary transcripts are in file
- No need to order official UBC transcripts
- Application form must be submitted electronically
- 2 references (must be on Affiliated Fellowships Reference Forms) emailed directly from referees to ISGP
- MUST provide your own signature (e-signature OK) (pg. 1)
- MUST list both months of Master’s study and doctoral study (pg. 2)
- MUST include current PhD degree in ISGP (pg. 3)

Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship

***Application deadline: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2021 @ 2:00 PM PST (5:00 EST) on Trudeau Foundation online portal***

Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship

The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship Program offers a three-year leadership program designed to train Engaged Leaders, equipping doctoral candidates with the skills to translate their ideas into action, for the betterment of their communities, Canada, and the world.  At least 12 doctoral Scholars are selected each year and receive generous funding for their studies.  This scholarship program supports doctoral students pursing research in one or more of the Foundation’s Four Themes:  Human Rights and Dignity, Responsible Citizenship, Canada and the World, and People and their Natural Environment.

Value: Up to $40,000 stipend plus up to $20,000 research and travel allowance per year for three years

Information sessions for scholarship candidates:

• 10 November 2021 at 10:00 am ET (7:00 am PT) – 1.5 hour session for Scholarship candidates (French session) – Register
• 10 November 2021 at 12:30 pm ET (9:30 am PT) – 1.5 hour session for Scholarship candidates (English session) – Register

Reminder: As of the 2020 competition, interested applicants apply directly to the Trudeau Foundation to be considered in the national competition; all interested and eligible applicants may apply.  The University of British Columbia no longer nominates a subset of applicants to the national competition (there is no department-level or university-level adjudication).

For further information, such as detailed eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, and application procedures, please visit G+PS webpage or the Trudeau Foundation webpage.

Eligibility

• Doctoral students already accepted into or in year one, two, or three of a full-time program in the humanities or social sciences whose work relates to one of the Foundations’ four themes
• Canadian citizens, whether at a Canadian or an international institution
• Non-Canadians (permanent residents or foreign nationals) enrolled in a doctoral program at a Canadian institution are eligible

 Applications are submitted via the Trudeau Foundation application portal:

• Before you begin, please review the step-by-step application procedure
• Create an account online at the Foundation Portal:
  • For University Name, enter "The University of British Columbia"
  • For Faculty or Department, enter the chosen UBC graduate program
• Registrants will receive a username and password in 4 business days (applicants should check their spam/junk folder)
• Once account access is granted: Complete the application form, request two letters of reference, and upload transcripts provided by the ISGP Office

If you are applying:

- Email Enid for “certified true copies” of your transcripts on file.
- No need to order UBC official transcript.
- ISGP will email you a PDF file of all your transcripts.
- Reference letters (in PDF) must be signed (digital signature OK!) and either on letterhead or have referees’ names and contacts within letter.

CGS-M / UBC Affiliated Fellowships (Master's)

*for Master’s students only

Application Deadline (both CGS-M and Affiliated Fellowships): TUESDAY December 1, 2021 @ 5:00pm PST

IMPORTANT NOTE: CGS-M applications cannot be submitted or edited after the application deadline.  Late applications will be ruled ineligible.  The CGS-M application deadline is set nationally by the CGS-M funding agency and is not flexible.

CGS-M

• For domestic students only
• Detailed Competition Information and on G+PS web site
• Application Instructions
• Research Portal (online application) (NOTE: It would be helpful for applicants to use same email used in the UBC online admission system!)
• After the deadline, the Research Portal will close, and there will be no opportunity to re-open the application. This is the deadline for all application materials, including reference letters. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that their references are submitted on time. CGS-M applications cannot be submitted or edited after the application deadline.  Late applications will be ruled ineligible.
• When identifying UBC as your institution, the official name is “The University of British Columbia”
• Video tutorial for Referees completing the online references
• NOTE: Once the Reference Assessment Form is saved and validated (all mandatory fields completed), it will automatically be attached to the student’s application. A status change in the applicant's portal – Invitation accepted and completed—will advise applicant that the assessment is complete. However, the applicant will not be able to view the assessment's content. The referee can modify the Reference Assessment Form as long as the application has not been submitted.
• Email enid.ho@ubc.ca a list of UBC Criteria-Based fellowships to be considered (No need to submit full Affiliated Fellowship application)

UBC Affiliated Fellowships (Master’s)

• For domestic and international students
• Competition Information
• Application form & Instructions
• Reference form
• If you are not eligible to apply to the Tri-Agencies CGS-M, you may still apply to the UBC Affiliated Fellowships (Master’s)
• ONLY electronic submission (by email) will be accepted
• Referees must use designated reference forms. No free-form letters will be accepted
• 2 references must be signed (e-signature OK) and emailed to enid.ho@ubc.ca directly from referees by TUESDAY December 1, 2021 @ 5:00pm PST

What you need to do now:

• email enid.ho@ubc.ca to request a scan of all academic transcripts: No need to order official UBC transcripts. Check with Enid if all official transcripts for all previous studies (including transfer credits) are on file
• Confirm with referees their willingness to submit a reference for you online. Let them know the timeline and when they would receive the email invitation (Referee Instructions)
• Check out detailed step-by-step application guide on the ISGP web site
• Before you begin your online application, work on the following:

1) Outline of Proposed Research (1 pg. max) + bibliography/citation (1 pg. max)

2) Have the transcript scan ready (from ISGP)

3) Create/update your Canadian Common CV (CCV) and have the confirmation # ready. A complete CCV must be linked to the application by following the instructions provided in the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s program: Instructions for completing a Canadian Common CV page.

UBC Spring Graduate Awards Competition

Full details here.

Deadline

ISGP Internal Deadline: FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2021 at 4:00pm (email application to Enid)

Eligibility

Students must be registered, full-time graduate students during the period of the award (Sep 2021-Aug 2022).

Additional eligibility criteria differ between awards, and students might be eligible for multiple awards. The list of awards is available in the Application Form - PART 2. In the Application Form - PART 2, students must clearly address their eligibility as specifically to the award description as possible. To be eligible to receive funding, applicants must meet all the criteria for each award they apply for.

In addition to eligibility requirements specified by each available award, the following criteria apply:

Please note that all previous studies at the graduate level, regardless of institution and discipline, will be included in determining eligibility. For example, a previous Master's degree at UBC or another institution would count towards your total Master's months of study.

Selection

While award recipients will be selected based on academic merits (“Evaluation Criteria”), priority will be given to eligible candidates who do not hold significant scholarship funding (i.e., $16,000 or higher) for the 2021/22 academic year (September 2021 to August 2022). If a student is offered Spring Awards funding, and later receives other scholarship funding of $16,000 or higher for the same period, the Spring Awards funding offer would normally be rescinded.

*Exception: The #6507 Montalbano Scholars Fellowship, which is part of the Spring Graduate Awards Competition, is specifically awarded to applicants who already hold significant scholarship funding.

Procedure

Applicants must submit (via email) the following materials to the ISGP:

1. completed application form - PART 1
2. completed application form - PART 2
3. Canadian CCV – CGS-Master’s version

1. • applicants are required to complete the CCV from the Canadian Common CV Web site as part of their application. Refer to the Canadian Common CV – How to Complete the Canada Graduate Scholarships-Master's Version for details.
   • applicants should access the .pdf version of their CCV by clicking “History” in the top menu bar when logged into the CCV website and download the .pdf version of their CCV, rather than the .xml version.

4. (ISGP will provide) academic records for all university-level studies (including studies undertaken but not completed) up to December 31, 2020. For institutions other than UBC, only official transcripts will be accepted. These may be original or certified true copies provided by the ISGP. For UBC, the applicant's "Academic History" printed from the SISC by the ISGP will be accepted. Please note that students must request certified true copies of transcripts from their graduate program, not from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

IMPORTANT NOTE: *Applications must include official, up-to-date transcripts for all current and previous post-secondary studies the applicant has undertaken. Many universities, including UBC, are not able to provide official paper transcripts at this time. However, the vast majority of institutions will provide their students/graduates with official transcripts via email or secure digital services (eg. Parchment), either of which will meet the requirement for official transcripts. Please check with the ISGP for your transcripts on file.

5. one letter of recommendation/form. In some cases, a reference letter submitted for a previous scholarship competition may be used; see the application instructions for details. NOTE: Referees must use reference form instead of free-form letter on letterhead.