Steps to writing an NSERC application.
UWO Support Sessions:
Read the guide-lines and get the form by
clicking here
The internal deadline for the UWO
Neuroscience office is early in October
Eligibility
A first-class average (a grade of "A-") in each of the last two completed years of study.
Step 1: Write a draft. Keep in mind who will assess you and on what:
Other awards received.
- Say for what and whether departmental, faculty wide, or university wide
- Note how awards build on each other. If you get this award, your odds for another increase
Your marks.
- Very important early in your career.
- Other things, like publications, become important later.
Letters of Reference.
- Select some one who you believe has a positive impression of you (look at the form to be completed by Professor to see what will be judged) and who will take the time to write a good letter. Look at the referee report. Try to include information that will help your referee complete the form and write a good letter. Give them
- a copy of your marks
- an updated CV
- very important to add a short letter in which you highlight what you have achieved and what you hope to achieve. The person writing the letter can use this to give his/her letter extra punch.
- In this letter you should also point out:
- Courses in which you have done particularly well in. If you know your ranking, state it.
- How well your research is going. Progress in publications. Meeting attended. Techniques mastered.
- Courses taught. TA's (ratings if available).
- Other research jobs (publications if available).
- Contributions to the dept., university (e.g. student rep., committees, events organized).
List of publications.
- These become increasing important as you proceed from being an undergraduate student.
- Beginning students could include departmental poster days and presentations
- Aren't you glad you sent in that last abstract?
A plan of study:
- Show how what you plan to do fits in with what you have done. Show that you have a clear idea of where you are going.
- The outline of your proposed research should include
- an hypothesis that is focused (but has broad implications)
- use methods that are feasible ( but avoid too much detail)
- teaches you useful skills for your long term career goals
- Ask your current/ potential supervisor to get help in outlining a particular project.
- Keep in mind that the person who ranks this will probably be someone outside your field. Make sure that terms which are specific to your field are clearly understood.
Justification of location:
If in Canada this can be brief. This is very important if you wish study in a lab outside Canada.
Provide evidence of the excellence of the program and the supervisor.
Ranking of the Dept./Program.
- To get an award you have to survive a 3 stage selection process.
- Departmental. Not a bad idea to find out who sits on the dept. committee and make sure they know you. Contributions to the department/program (teaching, student rep. etc.) are often given consideration at this stage.
- University (each University has a max numbered: 1.5 times the # of awards in the last 3 years
- Remember that the referee will probably not know your field. Don't use jargon
Step 2: Get Feedback
Step 3: Print out the final version.
Copyright © 1995 |
Created 28 Sept 1995 |