snowshoes

I completely agree with this. It seems like many people don't understand this, and I think it is part of the Canadian research mentality in some respects. NSF and other private/public funding organizations in the U.S. seem to put more into pure research. Allocating the majority of resources to "flavour of the month" popular or politically-charged science and ignoring fundamental research is very short-sighted, but whether it is the government or the dean of a faculty, everyone wants to show commercially viable, short-term applicable results as their metric of productivity.

You can email NSERC directly and ask them for your ranking (I didn't do this but know of people that did). As previously mentioned, it is about hedging your bets for a proposal that will be viewed in a positive light. I don't think it is that hokey or dishonest to briefly introduce why your topic is important to Canadian society and affairs though. NSERC grants are taxpayer funded and the whole point of them is to help support and cultivate better researchers and innovators in Canada. You want to show them why your project fits the bill. That said, I'm sure many, many people have obtained NSERC grants without doing so. Pure science can be difficult to "sell", especially in Canada I think. My project is a component of a larger one with very pragmatic goals and has even applied some of the results "in the field". However, my component feels a bit more like an open-ended, pure science project. As a result, I highlighted both aspects and provided evidence that this wasn't just a pie in the sky project without any end goal or real need for results. On a similar note, I talked to an NSERC chair several years ago and she said everyone was tacking on climate change to their Discovery or PGS grants, even if it really wasn't that relevant to their proposal. As a result, she said when they were seeing projects related (even nominally) to climate change they were looked at in a more discerning light.

Your experience is similar to mine. I toned down the methodology specifics and "pure science" approach from my first proposal and focused on the pragmatic implications of my project and how it relates to Canada. I thought my first proposal was strong, but after reading it again this year I saw weaknesses in it. I had quite a few people look it over and my second proposal reads well and I am happy with it... but I just want the money!

Congrats on the CGS, that would be awesome to hear about after the fact. This is my second time having my application forwarded to NSERC. I have 5 first-author publications, 3 refereed talks (presenter/first author on the 2 international talks), 8 non-refereed talks and posters, member of an active international committee in my field, 91% average from my MSc., etc. My proposal was pretty solid, although I'm sure everyone feels that way too. Aside for a weak average for my first couple years as an undergrad, I have no idea why I had such a low standing last year and didn't even make it to the OGS waiting list this year. This was my first OGS application and I mistakenly assumed I would get one; I was just thinking about NSERC. I should have 2-3 manuscripts ready mid-summer, so if they are accepted/in press by the NSERC deadline next year and I still don't get it I give up! I'm not sure how I can show these guys I am quality research material beyond what I already have.

There is so much subjectivity in the selection process that I am sure luck plays a hand too. Don't doubt that bias is present when a committee member has one of their own students in the running or is reading a proposal in their field. Just the way the world works!

Found out this morning that I did not get an OGS. I suppose I can assume I am out of the NSERC race if I was not even eligible for an OGS! Very disappointing and surprising, but oh well. Has anyone ever heard of people rejected for an OGS yet offered an NSERC?

I asked my departmental head and she said sometime in late March... so we should all wait at least 2 weeks before this thread turns into a tornado of anxiety

I received a letter from my university saying that my application was being forwarded to NSERC and that I should expect to hear about the results, "sometime in April". Last year dragged on and on it seemed, but it was funny to see the NSERC 2012 thread jump to 1,000 posts in no time. March would be amazing! Hopefully it will be 4 weeks at most.

My students call me by my first name. I usually call everyone else by their first name too, unless they are part of an older demographic and I respect them in a sort of old school way (then I call them, "Dr. so-and-so"). When people make a big deal about how they are addressed (specifically, "doctor"), I usually see it as a sign of insecurity.

I really enjoyed TAing during my MSc but it is a big pain in the ass as a PhD student! I feel like it is simply a time drain and takes me away from what I actually want/need to do. My lab is off campus, so that adds to the feeling I think.

Oh no, spring is approaching and now the waiting starts... Last year too forever because of the whole budget thing. My letter says, "sometime in April" so I am guessing around the third week or so. I am hoping I get it this year, I don't know how I could be rejected but I thought the same thing last year.

I checked my NSERC status right now (10:30am EST) and my status was change to "Approved"! I haven't heard from my anyone at grad studies, but maybe they don't tell you necessarily. Oh great, let the waiting begin Can't wait to be back here in a few months freaking out with you guys haha

Congrats bluejayek, I hope my status changes on Monday!

I was also checking my inbox/NSERC status throughout the day. No change. Maybe Monday is the day. Fingers crossed!

So... anyone hear if their application was forwarded to NSERC yet? I heard that they forward them this week...

Does anyone know when when schools have to submit their applications to NSERC?

Thanks for the reply. Honestly, if I don't get at least the OGS I don't know what more they want from me! I miscalculated something and asked my grad coordinator if I could change it (I submitted it a few days before the applications were due). They said that I could change it if my application would end up being forwarded to NSERC and, a few days ago, I was able to correct it. So I'm hoping that means my application is being forwarded! I can't wait to check this message board in May, that was a hilarious, anxiety-filled time

Good question, I can't seem to figure out what option you should pick either. You must be eligible, but you definitely want to pick the right option. I suggest emailing and calling NSERC ASAP. They will be very busy with all the applications being due, but try contacting them. Email them now and trying calling all Monday!

A question for the PhD candidate OGS winners: what were your credentials? I was surprised to see I can't list any of my conferences or other credentials with the OGS application - quite different from the NSERC application. Anyway, I have 5 peer-reviewed publications (all first author) and a peer-review conference abstract as my 6 contributions. I have a 94% average for my MSc marks, but my undergrad transcript ranges from dismal failure to high 90's. How will this black mark on my BSc transcript impact my standing? Will it be overlooked because of my publications and MSc marks, or could it prevent me from even being forwarded to the OGS Powers That Be?

Absolutely. I do not doubt for a second that certain ambitious, unscrupulous people would favour their students over others when going over the pile of OGS applicants. I understand the reasoning behind this decision, but it would be nice to know that my application is being read by a more objective person outside of my faculty.

Damn, I did that one wrong. I put 4 months for both, that sucks. Hope that doesn't sway them to reject my application! Thanks for the information, wish I read that before I submitted it.

Okay one LAST question! For the S&F page I found advice saying the number of months in grad school is often calculate incorrectly: Confused? Use the number of terms you have been in graduate school, including the current term if you are registered and multiple by 4. The number entered here should always be dividable by 4!!! So if I started my PhD in September 2012, do I say 0 months or 4 months? I don't get it!

Thanks eliasg. Another question - how to properly cite in press articles? I can't find a good answer regarding NSERC's preferred format.

Any advice on formating form 200 (Contributions/Statements)? I have jammed in 5 publications and a dozen presentations along with my statements in the 2 pages, but it is basically a big block of text without any spaces between lines. If I add a couple words it goes past the 2 page limit! I don't want to leave anything out, but am wondering if there could be issues with the "wall of text"?

This is my first time applying to OGS and yes, I have to do so through my university. My university had a minimum GPA requirement of 10, which is somewhat different from the A- OGS requirement. In fact, I was mistakenly told I was not eligible, but recently found out that I am in fact eligible (what a stressful week that was). The OGS forms just became available last week through my university. I am not sure how this will impact success rates. Does this mean, similar to NSERC, your application must be recommended by your faculty to OGS, or will all applications be forwarded to OGS? What were previous success rates for OGS? I am optimistic, but who knows.