NSERC PGS M Application

[tomj]

Hello,

I will be undertaking my last year of undergraduate studies next fall at a Canadian university. Since the deadline for NSERC applications is October 1 at my institution, does that mean that I should secure (or at least be acquainted with) a supervisor at the other university where I plan to pursue my master's before applying for a scholarship? I know it's not mandatory to do so, but considering the "proposed research" section, it seems the way to go. But still, it will be more than a year in advance. How would you write a succesful research proposal otherwise?

Thanks.