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Description
The Canada Graduate Scholarships—Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-MSFSS) program supports high-caliber Canadian graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences abroad. By accessing international scientific research and training, CGS-MSFSS recipients will contribute to strengthening the potential for collaboration between Canadian universities and affiliated research institutions and universities, or other research institutions outside of Canada.
This foreign study supplements program is available to Canadian citizens or permanent residents who hold a Joseph-Armand Bombardier, Alexander Graham Bell or Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS) at the master's or doctoral level, or a Vanier CGS at the doctoral level.
A total of 250 awards are available each year, and are divided as follows among the three granting agencies to reflect the distribution of CGS awards across the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health-related disciplines: 125 for SSHRC, 80 for NSERC, and 45 for CIHR.
Each university is allocated a pre-determined number of supplements by each granting agency, as appropriate. The faculty (school) of graduate studies is informed of the number of supplements available to them in each of the three areas of research disciplines. The faculty (school) of graduate studies is required to set up an internal selection process to select which applications requesting CGS-MSFSS funds are to be forwarded to the respective granting agencies
Funds Available
CIHR's and partner contribution to the amount available for this initiative is subject to availability of funds. Should CIHR or partner funding levels not be available or decrease due to unforeseen circumstances, CIHR and partner reserve the right to defer or suspend payments to grants received as a result of this funding opportunity.
- It is anticipated that approximately $270,000 per annum over 1 year will be available through the current funding opportunity, enough to fund approximately 45 awards.
Supplements of up to $6,000 are available to active CGS Master's, CGS Doctoral or eligible Vanier CGS holders to help offset the costs of undertaking research studies outside Canada for a defined period. Supplements are non-renewable. A defined research study period abroad is for a minimum of three months, to a maximum of six months.
Supplements will be paid separately from the CGS or Vanier CGS awards.
The start of your research study period abroad must be after the competition deadline date but within one year of receiving the notice of the award. If you do decide to leave before the results from the competition are announced, the agencies would not be liable for any costs incurred if the application were deemed ineligible.
The supplement covers costs associated with travel, living and other expenses (such as accommodation, meals, tuition, insurance and other necessary. non-research-related costs) during the research study period abroad.
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Objectives
- Support high-calibre Canadian graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences abroad; and
- Strengthen the potential for collaboration between Canadian universities and affiliated research institutions and universities, or other research institutions outside of Canada
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Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for all CIHR research funding programs apply. The business office of the institution of an eligible Nominated Principal Applicant generally administers CIHR funds. Please refer to the Individual Eligibility Requirements regarding the eligibility requirements for individuals and institutions
Eligibility to Apply
In order for your application to be eligible the Nominated Principal Applicant must:
- be a trainee;
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
- be registered at a eligible Canadian institution;
- have accepted or hold a Frederick Banting and Charles Best CGS (master's or doctoral level) or a Vanier CGS (if eligible) administered by CIHR;
- undertake your proposed trip abroad no earlier than the competition deadline date; and
- not hold or have held any other CGS-MSFSS during the course of your graduate studies.
Host supervisors must hold a full time independent research appointment at the host university or research institute and have sufficient research funding to support the proposed project. Research assistants are not eligible as host supervisors.
Randomized Controlled Trials
Applications involving Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) are accepted and encouraged where appropriate based on scientific and methodological grounds.
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Guidelines
General CIHR Guidelines
This funding opportunity will comply fully with the policies and guidelines outlined in the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate the use of Gender and Sex-Based Analysis in applications.
Allowable Costs
The supplement covers costs associated with travel, living and other expenses (such as accommodation, meals, tuition, insurance and other necessary, non-research-related costs) during the research study period abroad.
Global Health Research and International Collaborations
As outlined in the CIHR Grants and Awards Guide Global Health Research Section and International Collaborations Section, applicants who are eligible for CIHR funding may apply to CIHR's funding opportunities for funds to support research to be carried out in, or in direct collaboration with researchers and/or decision-makers based in, other countries. CIHR contributes to, and supports international research projects and international collaborations to address a range of research areas, including but not limited to established priorities in global health research and contributes to the development of health-research capacity both internationally and at home.
Conditions of Funding
Successful applicants funded through this funding opportunity and any other persons working on the project must comply fully with the CIHR Funding Policies. Policies and guidelines cover areas such as Applicant Responsibilities, Official languages policy, Access to Information and Privacy Acts, and Acknowledgement of CIHR's Support. Successful applicants will be informed of any special financial requirements prior to the release of funds or when they receive CIHR's Authorization for Funding (AFF) document.
In addition to CIHR standard guidelines and requirements, the following special requirements shall apply:
- The CGS-MSFSS will be paid directly to the institution who will administer the supplement for the student on behalf of the granting agency.
To remain eligible during the research study period abroad, you must:
- hold an active CGS award at the time your research study period abroad starts;
- be registered full time in a graduate research studies program at a Canadian institution for the duration of the time abroad;
- take up the award within one year of receiving the notice of award for the CGS-MSFSS; and
- return to complete your degree in Canada.
Access to Information Act and Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
All personal information collected by CIHR about applicants is used to review applications, to recruit reviewers, to administer and monitor grants and awards, to compile statistics, and to promote and support health research in Canada. Consistent with these purposes, applicants should also expect that information collected by CIHR may be shared as described in CIHR's Policy on Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality in the context of Merit, Relevance and Peer Review (CCIP).
CIHR as a federal entity is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act, therefore the requirements of these two statutes will apply to all information located in CIHR's premises including, without limitation, cost-sharing agreements related to this funding opportunity and all matters pertaining thereto.
While respecting the application of the Privacy Act to federal entities, all signing parties involved in a collaborative agreement will also be bound by the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). All personal information (as identified by the PIPEDA) collected, used or disclosed in the course of any commercial activity under collaborative agreements related to the Funding opportunity will be collected, used and disclosed in compliance with the PIPEDA.
CIHR Guidelines for Health Research Involving Aboriginal People
The CIHR Guidelines for Health Research Involving Aboriginal People came into effect as policy for CIHR-funded research on July 1, 2008. Applicants whose proposed research will involve Aboriginal People are strongly encouraged to familiarise themselves with these guidelines and in particular with the section "Application of the Guidelines," which outlines the situations in which these guidelines apply.
Communication Requirements
Award recipients are required to acknowledge CIHR, its institutes and partners in any communication or publication related to the project. See Communication of Competition Results for details on CIHR's communication requirements. The contributing institutes/partners will be identified on the Authorization for Funding and decision letter.
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Performance Measurement
CIHR is committed to collecting and disseminating information on the outputs and impacts of the research it funds. This information is an important part of CIHR accountability within the Federal Government and to Canadians.
- The funding recipient must contribute to the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes by participating in evaluation studies, surveys, workshops, audits and providing data or reports as required for the purpose of collecting information to assess progress and results;
- The Nominated Principal Applicant must also encourage their associates, trainees and administration to participate in the monitoring, review and evaluation of CIHR's programs, policies and processes as required.
Post-activity deliverables
Within two months of completing your research study period abroad, you must submit, to the respective granting agency, the following documents:
- Activity report
- A report on your experience (maximum 2 pages) that describes:
- the activities that were carried out and results achieved;
- the ongoing activities resulting from the research study period abroad, such as joint publications, the development of new techniques, etc.;
- any unanticipated benefits derived from working at, or attending, the host institution in relation to your current research objectives at your Canadian institution;
- problems encountered; and
- advice on how the CGS-MSFSS program could be improved.
- The report could be used for publication and should be written in language that is accessible for the general public.
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Letter from host supervisor
- A letter or email from the host supervisor evaluating your performance and summarizing the positive and negative aspects, if any, of the study period from his/her perspective.
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Review Process and Evaluation
University review
The faculty (school) of graduate studies at each Canadian university is responsible for coordinating the university review of CGS-MSFSS applications. Based on the allocation received, the university will submit a select number of eligible applications to the appropriate granting agency.
The selection process and review procedures adopted by the university must maintain a focus on excellence. Applications must be evaluated using the following selection criteria:
- Linkage between the current program of research goals, the proposed research/study activities at the host institution and the candidate's future research/career goals, including consideration of:
- significance, feasibility and merit of proposed research study activities at the foreign institution;
- justification for the choice of host institution and/or host supervisor; and
- relevance and anticipated benefits of the proposed research/study activities abroad to the candidate's current graduate-degree training.
Granting agency review
The granting agencies review the applications received from universities for eligibility and completeness. CGS-MSFSS will be awarded to the eligible applicants through the universities.
Notification of decision
The granting agencies will notify students of the results of their supplement application.
The CGS-MSFSS is paid directly to the institutions that administer the supplements for the students on behalf of the granting agencies.
The granting agencies will publish the names (and other basic award information) of supplement recipients on their respective websites. For more information, please refer to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.
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How to Apply
- The application process for this funding opportunity is comprised of one step: Application.
- To complete your Application, follow the instructions identified in the Specific Instructions below.
- An overview of CIHR's application processes can be found under Apply for Funding.
- Reminder to applicants: Please ensure that your application is complete (including all required signatures) and submitted on time to CIHR. Effective September 1, 2008, CIHR will assume no responsibility in following-up with applicants who submit an incomplete application. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted into the competition.
Submission Requirements
If you are a qualified applicant, you must complete the necessary documentation, and submit it to your faculty (school) of graduate studies for consideration.
Applications must be sent from the institution by courier to:
RE: "Canada Graduate Scholarship – Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements"
Research Capacity Development
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Room 97, 160 Elgin Street
Address Locator: 4809A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0W9
The common tri-agency application form is available on the respective websites of the three granting agencies. Only this form can be used to apply for the CGS-MSFSS [ PDF-Fillable (128 KB) | Help ].
Specific Instructions
Each university is allocated a pre-determined number of supplements by each granting agency, as appropriate. The faculty (school) of graduate studies is informed of the number of supplements available to them in each of the three areas of research disciplines. The faculty (school) of graduate studies is required to set up an internal selection process to select which applications requesting CGS-MSFSS funds are to be forwarded to the respective granting agencies.
Application
The common tri-agency application form is available on the respective websites of the three granting agencies. Only this form can be used to apply for the CGS-MSFSS.
You will be required to provide:
- the name and contact information of the host supervisor, and name and location of the foreign institution where you intend on pursuing your research/study activities;
- a maximum two-page description of your intended research activities during your research study period abroad (including objectives, methodology, timelines and expected outcomes) and an indication of how this relates to your main graduate research topic, as well as a description of the potential benefits that you will derive from working at, or attending, the host institution in relation to your current research objectives; and
- a budget that provides estimates for costs of travel, living and other expenses during your research study period abroad (to a maximum of $6,000).
In addition, both your current research supervisor and the potential host supervisor must submit letters detailing their support of your research study period abroad. Host supervisors must also indicate that they have the resources available (e.g., financial, if any; supervision time; equipment; library access; etc.) to support your planned research activities.
Your university's faculty (school) of graduate studies has an internal deadline for your application and selects which applications to submit to the granting agencies.
There are two deadlines for the CGS-MSFSS program: June 10 and October 10. Late or incomplete applications will be rejected.
Note: If a university's allocation for CGS-MSFSS has been reached by the June 10 deadline, there may not be an opportunity for further applications to be accepted for the October 10 deadline from that university.
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Contact Information
For questions on CIHR funding guidelines, how to apply, and the peer review process contact:
CGS-MSFSS
Student Awards Division
Research Capacity Development
Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Telephone: 613-954-1968
Fax: 613- 954-1800
Email: CGSMSFSS@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
This is a tri-agency program, for questions concerning this opportunity, you may also contact:
SSHRC
CGS-MSFSS
Fellowships and Institutional Grants Division
350 Albert Street
P.O. Box 1610
Ottawa, ON K1P 6G4
Telephone: 613-943-7777
Email: fellowships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
NSERC
CGS-MSFSS
Scholarships and Fellowships Division
350 Albert Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 1H5
Telephone: 613-995-5521
Email: schol@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
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