Master’s Scotia Scholar Award

Danielle Pottie – Scholarship Officer, Faculty of Graduate Studies

danielle.pottie@dal.ca494-6246

Value: $10,000/annumDuration: 1 year (non-renewable)Maximum award: $10,000Deadline: The university sets an

internal deadline then forwards evaluated applications to NSHRF by April 30, 2013

FGS deadline – April 1, 2013Check with department for their

deadlineResults Announced: May 31, 2013

The Scotia Scholar Award can be held only once at each level. 

Applicants approved for a Master level Scotia Scholar Award must begin to draw their scholarship funding in accordance with the terms of the awards agreement, no later than September 30, 2013. 

The upper limit for Master level recipients is $20,000/annum, based on the academic year. If approved for funding, an applicant who holds the upper limit in funding from other sources (excluding internal stipend funds from research grants and/or departmental Faculty of Graduate Studies allocations) will be awarded the Scotia Scholar Award in name only (no monetary value will be awarded).

Example to how the cap and sliding scale will be applied:

If a Master level scholarship recipient holds $15,000 from other sources, then the sliding scale calculation will be used, resulting in $5,000 being the most that applicant can receive from NSHRF as a Scotia Scholar Award. 

To qualify to apply for this award, you must:

at the time of application, have completed at least one semester of a thesis based graduate degree program. Applicants who enter a Doctorate program directly upon completion of a Bachelor degree may apply for the Master level scholarship provided they will not have completed more than 12 months of the Doctorate degree prior to September 2013.  Refer to the Eligibility Decision Tree to assist you in determining your eligibility to apply to this competition;

have achieved a first-class average as determined by your university in the last two years of full time study – 3.7 at Dalhousie;

To qualify to apply for this award, you must con’t:

be in good standing for continued enrollment in a thesis based graduate degree program as of September 2013; and

demonstrate in your application that the research activity you will complete as part of your degree requirements relates to health research and is relevant to the mandate of the NSHRF and their health research priority areas.

Prior to, and during, the period of drawing the scholarship funding, you must:

have signed and returned a Notice of Award to the NSHRF confirming your acceptance of the terms and conditions of the award; 

be registered as a full-time graduate student at the university which endorsed your application in either a Master or Doctoral program

not hold full-time employment during the tenure of the award;

Prior to, and during, the period of drawing the scholarship funding, you must con’t:

return any unused funds if you complete the degree program requirements prior to the end date of the award period; and

not have previously held the same level of Scotia Scholar Award for the degree level you will be enrolled in during the tenure of the current award. 

Application Components

Application form

Canadian Common CV validated for the NSHRF.

Transcripts of all academic training ◦If you do not have original, unopened official

transcripts from past academic training to include with your application, a copy authenticated as official by your current university will be acceptable. Authenticated copies must be endorsed by the Graduate Coordinator of the Department which initially received official transcripts as part of your application to your current degree program. 

Application Components con’t

Plain Language Summary - One (1) page (written for non – scientific audience) which demonstrates how the prospective research activity you will be undertaking as part of your degree program relates to health research and is relevant to the NSHRF mandate and health research priority areas. Include in this section details as to the potentially unique impact you see these activities having on the field of health research and the health of Nova Scotians. ◦ Format: 11 pt font (minimum), 1.5 line spacing, 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) left and right

margins◦ Applicant’s full name and individual university student identification number must be

on top right corner of the page in the header◦ References (if applicable) are to immediately follow the one page plain language

summary.  References are not included in the page limit

Statement of Promise - One (1) page (written for non – scientific audience) which demonstrates how your past experiences have contributed to your interest in discovery, how you will contribute to the field of health research, what your future career plans are (including long term goals and career expectations) and how you are and/or will be a leader within the health research community. ◦ Format: 11 pt font (minimum), 1.5 line spacing, 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) left and right

margins◦ Applicant’s full name and individual university student identification number must be

on top right corner of the page in the header◦ References (if applicable) are to immediately follow the one page statement of

promise, references are not included in the page limit

Application Components con’t

Letters of Reference ◦ Two (2) letters are required

One (1) academic letter from your current supervisor who can address your demonstrated and potential academic and research abilities; and

One (1) leadership letter from a person who can address your demonstrated and potential leadership abilities.

◦ The same person cannot provide both letters of reference.◦ Referees should be advised that their assessments are not

confidential and are subject to the Nova Scotia Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

◦ Each letter is limited to a maximum of two (2) pages.◦ The two (2) letters need to be in separate envelopes that are

sealed and signed by the person who completed the letter. If it is not possible for the letter from the non-academic referee to be available in hard copy by the internal deadline set by your university, a copy of the letter emailed from the Referee to your Graduate Coordinator, which he/she then endorses in a sealed envelope, will be acceptable.

◦ It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the referees are aware of the requirements for the letters of reference.

Application Components con’t

◦ Academic Letter of Reference should address the following: Critical thinking – judicious evaluation of all information, regardless of source (i.e.,

quality of analytical skills) Independence – pursuit of knowledge or taking action on own initiative, seeking

guidance only when appropriate Perseverance – determined persistence in pursuit of goals despite obstacles or

discouragement Originality – imagination or ingenuity in problem solving Organization skills – systematic, careful planning and coordination of activities,

including ability to complete projects within an appropriate period of time Interest in discovery – an inquiring mind and a strong desire to pursue new knowledge Research ability – a natural talent or acquired proficiency for scientific investigation Communication skills – effective interpersonal as well as verbal and written

communication skills, as can be noted from daily correspondence and/or the quality of conference presentations and scholarly publications as well as teaching and mentoring abilities

◦ Leadership Letter of Reference should address the following: Personal achievement – significant achievement in a field other than the area of study,

for example, athletic, artistic, cultural, entrepreneurial, volunteerism, civic engagement etc.

Leadership qualities – qualities that are outstanding amongst the applicant’s peers with demonstrable examples

Self management – knows how to prioritize work and personal life, able to maintain a balance

Integrity – acts consistently with core ethical values and personal values and convictions and accepts personal accountability for the consequences of his/her actions and decisions

Social skills – develops positive relationships with a diverse range of people, cares about and listens to what others say, is supportive of his/her peers, is well respected, trustworthy and dependable 

Application Components con’t

Optional Supplemental Attachments Required for Special Awards and Prizes

Ensure your intent to be considered for a special award or prize is indicated on the application form;Supplemental Attachments must adhere to the following:

One (1) page in length, written for a non-scientific audienceFormat: 11 pt font (minimum), 1.5 line spacing, 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) left and right marginsApplicant’s full name and individual university student identification number must be on top right corner of the page in the header

The Colleen Elliott Award Supplement Attachment- Demonstrate how the prospective research activity you will be undertaking as part of your degree program relates to cancer research. Include in this section details as to the potentially unique impact you see these activities may have on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment or long term management of cancer.

The George Turnbull Student Research Award Supplemental Attachment – Describe how the prospective research activity you will be undertaking as part of your degree program relates to Parkinson Disease. Include in this section details as to the potentially unique impact you see these activities may have for improving life for those living with Parkinson Disease.

The Quest, the John Ruedy Award, is annually presented to the student researcher who demonstrates the greatest promise and potential for excellence in health research. The winner is selected by us from among the funded Scotia Scholar Award applicants. No supplemental attachment is required for this award. 

Applicants must identify the health research category which best aligns with the research activities they will be completing during their degree. The NSHRF four health research categories are:

Medical ResearchBasic scientific and biomedical study; clinical and epidemiological investigations.

Health Policy ResearchThe impact of social factors; allocation of resources; legal and ethical issues; and the administration, organization and financing of health care.

Health Outcomes ResearchChanges in the health status of populations as a result of health programs or services.

Health Services ResearchHow efficiently and effectively health services are managed, organized, and delivered.

Evaluation University selection committees are to use the following

three (3) criteria to evaluate applicants: Academic Excellence– as demonstrated by past academic

results and by transcripts, awards and distinctions ◦ To be evaluated by the university through examination of the

Common CV validated for the NSHRF and transcripts from all academic training

Leadership – demonstrated and potential ability ◦ To be evaluated by the university through examination of the

leadership letter of reference, Common CV validated for the NSHRF and Statement of Promise

Research Potential– as demonstrated by the applicant’s research history, his/her interest in discovery, the proposed research activities and the potentially unique impact on knowledge creation within the applicant’s field of study and how that may impact the health of Nova Scotians, as well as the applicant’s long term goals and career plans ◦ To be evaluated by the university through examination of the

Common CV validated for the NSHRF, academic letter of reference, Statement of Promise and Plain Language Summary of proposed research activities

Criterion Master level (per cent weight)

Academic Excellence 50

Leadership 20

Research Excellence 30

Weighting of Evaluation Criteria 

Criterion Indicators Evidence

Academic Excellence Academic record University transcripts

Scholarships/awards (competitive, amount, duration and prestige)

Common CV sections: Recognitions and Research Funding History, if applicable

Duration of previous studies Common CV sections: Education and Leaves of Absence (under Employment section)

Leadership Leadership qualities (personal achievements, self management, integrity, social skills) and relative comparison to peer group

Leadership letter of reference

Past experiences Common CV sections: Employment, Activities and Contributions

Future career plans Statement of Promise section

Research Potential Scholarships/awards (competitiveness, amount, duration and prestige)

Common CV sections: Recognitions and Research Funding History, if applicable

Duration of previous studies Common CV sections: Education and Leaves of Absence (under Employment section)

Academic training and relevant work experience

Common CV sections: Education and Employment.  Statement of Promise section

Contribution to research and development (publications, patents, reports, posters)

Common CV sections: Activities and Contributions

Critical thinking, independence, perseverance, originality, organization skills, interest in discovery, research ability, communication skills

Academic letter of reference

Quality of presentation of application

Plain Language Summary section

Evaluation Criteria, Indicators and Evidence

Dalhousie QuotaMaster MED – 5

Master PSO - 5

WebsitesNSHRF - http://www.nshrf.ca/

CCV - www.ccv-cvc.ca

FGS - http://dalgrad.dal.ca/

Questions

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