NSERC 2013 - 2014

[selecttext]

If you are 75 vs 80 then it isn't luck that detemines your fate but your relatively weak credentials.

[MTL18]

If you are 75 vs 80 then it isn't luck that detemines your fate but your relatively weak credentials.

 

Again, I disagree based on my own experiences and what I have learned over the years. Best of luck.

[selecttext]

You aren't the only one here who has external funding or experience...

[MTL18]

For those who are curious, the Federal Budget will be released on March 21st. Earlier than last year. Results won't trail that far behind. 

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/03/14/finance-minister-flaherty-to-deliver-federal-budget-on-march-21/

[QueensCS]

For those who are curious, the Federal Budget will be released on March 21st. Earlier than last year. Results won't trail that far behind. 

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/03/14/finance-minister-flaherty-to-deliver-federal-budget-on-march-21/

Great news! Means we will know the results by the end of March unlike last year. Does anyone know anything about the OGS results?

Edited March 14, 2013 by QueensCS

[selecttext]

notification of OGS depends on your school as, i believe, they are awarded internally. i was offered an OGS from one school in February. The deadline for OGS at another school is only in may

[winter2012]

Finally, we are here!

Any IR & DF holders from the last year's nominations here?

Did you apply for NSERC PDF this year? 

Budget announcement on March 21, meaning results should be out  by the end of March this year.

Good luck to every one

[snowshoes]

Luck? I don't think so. Winning external funding is a measure of your writing and communication skills. A selection committee needn't be specialized in your sub-discipline to evaluate the scientific merit of a proposal.

 

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! 

[Guest |||]

Of course luck in itself won't win you the awards, but to say there isn't some degree of subjectivity or luck involved is a bit much.  Those two are involved even the slightest, in most things.

[jnoel12]

So, if the budget comes out on Thursday, when do you think they will mail the letters? Does anyone remember from past years how long it takes for them to send letters after the budget? Hopefully they will mail them before the weekend, but realistically it might be Monday at best...

 

Also, is there any chance that the departments will know before next weekend?

[EvolBiol]

in 2011 the budget was released on the 22nd, I think my letter was dated the 18th and I got it about a week later in Alberta. I think as we've all been guessing here that everything is ready to go, they just need the final ok and they all get dumped in the mail,...or so I hope! scholarship offices should know sooner than you'll probably get your letter.

[MTL18]

in 2011 the budget was released on the 22nd, I think my letter was dated the 18th and I got it about a week later in Alberta. I think as we've all been guessing here that everything is ready to go, they just need the final ok and they all get dumped in the mail,...or so I hope! scholarship offices should know sooner than you'll probably get your letter.

 

In 2010, the dates were also similar to this. But I believe my letter was dated in the early 20s. 

 

So, if the budget comes out on Thursday, when do you think they will mail the letters? Does anyone remember from past years how long it takes for them to send letters after the budget? Hopefully they will mail them before the weekend, but realistically it might be Monday at best...

 

Also, is there any chance that the departments will know before next weekend?

 

Once the budget was released, it was only a couple of days before the departments knew. The letters take longer, especially if you live far away from Ottawa. I'm personally anticipating a pre-Easter notification from my department. As for the letter, who knows. Pay attention to this board though. Ottawa folk can be notified the same day the letters go out, and you can time yours accordingly. 

[TakeruK]

In 2010, my undergrad school let me know the results before I got the official NSERC letter. I think I found out from my school around March 28 or something.

Last year, I only got notification directly from NSERC via snail mail. The letter was post-marked (i.e. received by Canada Post) on April 3, if that helps anyone! I was in Ontario at that time, so I received it the next day.

[EvolBiol]

Was Banting about the same? Does any one know if results were up on researchnet very soon after budget day!?!...not that I'll be able to look....

[Guest |||]

By the by, best of luck to everyone.  I'll use whatever magic I can to make your application glow a little.

[mattboud]

Since I was addicted to this forum last year, I thought I should contribute this year.

 

FYI: Last year the budget was tabled March 29th, and I got my letter in the mail (Montreal) on April 5th. My departement was notified the day before I got the letter. 

 

Also, I initially won a PGS-D3, but got a letter informing me it was upgraded to a CDS-D3 on June 11th.

 

My stats were:

 

1 submitted 1st authored paper

3 published 2nd authored papers

3 refereed 1st authored conference presentations

3 non-refereed (2 1st authored, 1 second authored) conference presentations

My GPA for my 2 years of my masters was 4.0

Even is not technically taken into account, my GPA for my last 2 years of undergrad was 3.95

I had never won an NSERC scholarship prior to this (not even a summer student award)

This was the first time my application went  beyond the university competition

I got accepted for the award during my first year of PhD at Mcgill (Biomedical Engineering)

I did my Masters degree at the University of Western Ontario (Physics)

I did my Undergraduate degree at the Universite de Moncton (Physics)

Edited March 19, 2013 by mattboud

[snowshoes]

Since I was addicted to this forum last year, I thought I should contribute this year.

 

FYI: Last year the budget was tabled March 29th, and I got my letter in the mail (Montreal) on April 5th. My departement was notified the day before I got the letter. 

 

Also, I initially won a PGS-D3, but got a letter informing me it was upgraded to a CDS-D3 on June 11th.

 

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.

[mattboud]

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.

 

Good luck on getting it this year!! I think the project proposal is really important, last year people with 9-12 published papers said they were rejected, but others without any publications got accepted!

Edited March 19, 2013 by mattboud

[QueensCS]

The definition of  a glowing proposal is still a mystery to me. I mean every applicant knows their proposal should somehow be related to the welfare of Canada and tries to gear it towards that. Then what makes my proposal outstanding is not clear to me.

Edited March 19, 2013 by QueensCS

[selecttext]

The definition of  a glowing proposal is still a mystery to me. I mean every applicant knows their proposal should somehow be related to the welfare of Canada and tries to gear it towards that. Then what makes my proposal outstanding is not clear to me.

 

from what I understand, many people miss the mark by not clearly stating specific testable scientific hypotheses and they are too vague. 

Edited March 19, 2013 by selecttext

[DirkDanly]

from what I understand, many people miss the mark by not clearly stating specific testable scientific hypotheses and they are too vague. 

 

But the selection committee can't be experts in every single aspect of their general area of research. In the guidelines it tells you to keep the proposal general so that what you plan to do is easily understood.

 

Hard to say though, this whole process is a mystery to me.

 

In my first application I just talked about the project in general terms (was sent to Ottawa, but didn't get an award). This time around I started with why my work is important to Canada and current issues in the field. I then explained how my project could aid in fixing the current issues in general terms and how I intended on doing so (sent to Ottawa, still waiting on a response).

 

If it doesn't get accepted this year, my third proposal will be a page chock full of 100% technical jargon hahaha.

[selecttext]

But the selection committee can't be experts in every single aspect of their general area of research. In the guidelines it tells you to keep the proposal general so that what you plan to do is easily understood.

 

Hard to say though, this whole process is a mystery to me.

 

In my first application I just talked about the project in general terms (was sent to Ottawa, but didn't get an award). This time around I started with why my work is important to Canada and current issues in the field. I then explained how my project could aid in fixing the current issues in general terms and how I intended on doing so (sent to Ottawa, still waiting on a response).

 

If it doesn't get accepted this year, my third proposal will be a page chock full of 100% technical jargon hahaha.

 

 

Your proposal should be general in that a non-specialist could read it and understand the relevance of your stated problem to your field. You needn't a fully developed methodology but you certainly need clear scientific hypotheses which address your stated problem. Maybe this is why you haven't had any luck. Did your supervisor or POI give you any comments before submitting it?

[MTL18]

The definition of  a glowing proposal is still a mystery to me. I mean every applicant knows their proposal should somehow be related to the welfare of Canada and tries to gear it towards that. Then what makes my proposal outstanding is not clear to me.

 

That's the real question! Find a way to sell your project in 1 page so that anyone can read it. Even then, there is always internal politics at the table and the lab/resources you have available to you to test those hypotheses. 

Takes lots of practice, trial & error, and certainly, favourable politics. 

If many of us were experts in this, we would try and succeed in one time. Best thing you can do for yourself is after the results come out, get your scores. NSERC will release them. Next year, build on the areas that were scored as weak and try again. 

All you can do is try and then improve your scores. There is no shame in going to Ottawa and failing. Whether or not this works out for me, I'm happy knowing that in back to back years my projects left the school and ended up in the final stage of evaluation. I'll keep working and go for internal awards as well - they are far easier to get. 

That's my 0.02! Best of luck!

[snowshoes]

In my first application I just talked about the project in general terms (was sent to Ottawa, but didn't get an award). This time around I started with why my work is important to Canada and current issues in the field. I then explained how my project could aid in fixing the current issues in general terms and how I intended on doing so (sent to Ottawa, still waiting on a response).

 

If it doesn't get accepted this year, my third proposal will be a page chock full of 100% technical jargon hahaha.

 

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! 

[winter2012]

Since I was addicted to this forum last year, I thought I should contribute this year.

 

FYI: Last year the budget was tabled March 29th, and I got my letter in the mail (Montreal) on April 5th. My departement was notified the day before I got the letter. 

 

Also, I initially won a PGS-D3, but got a letter informing me it was upgraded to a CDS-D3 on June 11th.

 

My stats were:

 

1 submitted 1st authored paper

3 published 2nd authored papers

3 refereed 1st authored conference presentations

3 non-refereed (2 1st authored, 1 second authored) conference presentations

My GPA for my 2 years of my masters was 4.0

Even is not technically taken into account, my GPA for my last 2 years of undergrad was 3.95

I had never won an NSERC scholarship prior to this (not even a summer student award)

This was the first time my application went  beyond the university competition

I got accepted for the award during my first year of PhD at Mcgill (Biomedical Engineering)

I did my Masters degree at the University of Western Ontario (Physics)

I did my Undergraduate degree at the Universite de Moncton (Physics)

Thanks for sharing your information. The information will be helpful to many for sure.

I was also addicted to this forum last year. I could not secure more than just a pre-approved IR&DF fellowship for my PDF application. Having IR&DF label in own's head was definitely better feeling than having nothing at all. I have yet to find a company that is interested into hiring an IR&DF fellow. In fact, the IR&DF fellowship seem to offer much more reward as compared to the normal PDF, although finding a suitable company partner is extremely difficult for some while lucky others find it quickly. In fact, some of the companies did contact me via NSERC (even without applying for it) and asked me to send 3 letters of references, which I did. But so far no luck. 

 

I decided to give second try. I wish I knew my score but never tried to contact NSERC. What I think is that  people who got scholarship last year they deserved it. People who did not make it also deserved the scholarship but because the funding level was drastically cut down, many highly qualified candidates could not get the award NOT because that their application was poor but because that the funding cap was drastically brought down by the federal government. As some one above mentioned that the funding for NSERC fellowship will go up this year, lets hope that many of us will be able to share good news in this forum soon.