SLBlais

Yes, it is! But good luck!

I am in my 2nd year (candidacy year) at the University of Alberta - I have a fully funded program but they want you to apply for more scholarships.

It also seems like common sense today, but it is a requirement because people don't always think it's necessary. I have noticed (just from looking at scientific studies historically), scientists have often left out the after consultation.

It may be. It all depends. I founded the History and Classics Truth and Reconciliation Student Committee, am Aboriginal, it honestly depends. You can make it to the national and get the Skype interview (which is super intense from what I've heard - they ask you a question, you are timed for formulating you response, and then have a timed response). Then there is the final interview in Montreal. One of my prof's students got it and she said it was the experience of a lifetime. I am not applying again because she also told me that her work got pulled in many directions between her supervisor, her vision, and her mentor. But she also said it was an amazing opportunity. But good luck.

They are talking about both consultation with any people/communities you intend to work with and general public consultation. If you are doing work with, for example, indigenous communities, it is important to have consulted with them that they want the research done in their community (they can deny you access to their community and then your research is not going to happen) and that you will consult and translate your research to the general public (if necessary) and the community or communities. That is what I have been told anyways with my application last year. I made it to the national competition but it is a difficult process.

There are usually Graduate Student Groups that are really great at venting and sharing experiences of struggles or stupid history puns/jokes. I know my group goes out for drinks every Friday night and while I don't drink, I love to have some snacks and chat. Plus they have some fun events - they have had paint your thesis events. Seeing a counsellor is a good choice too but grad student groups are often a great way of making quick friends with similar interests.

Yes, I am applying. The way it worked last year was that I submitted my application via ResearchNet, the Graduate Chair nominated me, and then it went through an internal departmental project. After that, it went to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at the University and then they nominated for the national or rejected (I was rejected for this one, made it to the national competition for the Trudeau and then wait listed for the SSHRC). This year, I am focusing on the Vanier and SSHRC. While I loved the process of the Trudeau, it isn't for me (I have a child and can't do the amount of travel it requires.) I had multiple people go through my application but sometimes its just the committee too and what is "hot" as a research topic that year. But I have had a friend who won the Vanier helped me and offered to help me again. Also, check out ANY and ALL workshops that the faculty of graduate studies holds. I didn't last year and I think I suffered for it. This year, I am going to both the writing workshop and they have a Vanier writing bootcamp that I am going to attend. I have been told that these can be crucial to learning how to frame your topic for a vast audience. Good Luck!

I am in the same committee! I am also wait listed rank 66! First time applying but it doesn't seem to make much since all of these awards. I made it to the national competition for the Trudeau and waitlisted here. First time applying with a score of 12.5/20 but I guess that is actually pretty decent.