Sydryx

Here's a quick question for everyone... I was awarded a CGS-M, but I'm not sure when I should start it (either May or September). I'd prefer to start in September 2010 and have it go to September 2011, but I'll be graduating (knock on wood) in May 2011. I'll be moving somewhere in August '11 for my Ph.D, so having the NSERC funding over the summer would be great. Will the NSERC funding stop as soon as I graduate, or will it keep going regardless for the entire year? If it's going to stop as soon as I graduate, I might as well start it in May of this year. Thanks for your input!

Thanks! I'm at the University of New Brunswick.

Whoo hoo! Got my letter today...CGS-M! Congratulations to all!

The way my graduate secretary spoke of it, you'd think she expected a black-ops NSERC special agent team to bust down the door if she "leaked" any info.

Did they explain the nature of their mistake to you? For example, did they look at the wrong name or something similar?

That's terrible Queens! I'm almost glad my graduate secretary didn't tell me anything, just in case a mix up like that happened. Oh well, back to whistling the Beatle's version of "Mr. Postman" as I wait for tomorrow's delivery.

Sorry to hear that Matt Best of luck with the OGS! Michael

I spoke with my graduate secretary, but they said they wouldn't release any names or confirmations...we'd have to wait for the mail.

Congratz! Hmm, I still think it's odd that some people have PINs while others don't. I hope it's not a bad sign to have one

So...who has access to that Wilfrid Laurier University internal website?

Nothing in the mail and no response from Graduate Studies. Oh well, only 24 hours until the next mail delivery.

You're probably right, but a proposal on reattaching it would likely do quite well in a future NSERC competition.

I wouldn't worry too much. No one is even sure if the PIN means anything or its just a fluke that some people have it.

Did you apply directly to NSERC or through your school? If it was directly through NSERC, I'd be a little worried because they seem to send out confirmations. However, if it was through you're school I wouldn't worry too much about it. I applied in Oct, and just received my PIN yesterday. Log on to the NSERC site and go under "Manage User Profile". Is there any mention of a PIN there?

Desiduous, It seemed that some of us first-time apply'er were having PINs assigned by the NSERC system, while some of us were not. How were your results?

I'm pretty sure that once you have a PIN, it doesn't change.

That's a possibility! I'm definitely not reading anything into the PIN situation. I won't believe anything until I have that letter in my hands.

Hmm, I'm not sure what to say then. I figured had Deane applied directly to NSERC, but you applied through your school, that could account for the differences. I know I didn't hear anything about an acknowledgment from NSERC (though I received one saying my application was being forwarded from my school).

Deane, did you apply directly to NSERC? Or through your school?

Hmm, did you accept the award? Maybe if you decline it they remove your PIN. I just noticed that mine is also automatically showing up in my Form 200 application I submitted in the fall.

So what field is everyone working in/planning on working in? I'm currently in my first year of neuroscience.

This week couldn't possibly go any slower. It's odd that everything I've read regarding the USRA (for example, USRA guidelines from Queens, U of T, and U of Western Ontario) says that only holders of the award are assigned a PIN, while it seems to be different for the PGS and CGS's. Edit: uwGradStudent: This was my first time applying.

I wouldn't fret about it. I'm pretty sure mine just appeared either Friday or yesterday (I've been checking pretty religiously) so maybe they're just going through the list and inputting them.

uwGradStudent: After login on to NSERC and going to "Maintain User Profile" there's now a yellow bar at the top that says "Your PIN has been validated by NSERC. NSERC PIN: XXXXXXX" jsmandur: It's definitely a general statement, but it's the most exciting NSERC activity I've seen since I received a letter in early December saying my application was forwarded.

Thanks! Oh well, at least the appearance of a PIN means that there is actually something happening at NSERC.