We build understanding

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We build understanding
Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council
of Canada
Conseil de recherches ensciences humaines du
Canada
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Postdoctoral Fellowships ProgramSeptember 2007
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
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SSHRCs Mandate

• Promote and support research and research
  training in the social sciences and humanities
• Support research on the economic, political,
  social and cultural dimensions of human activity
• Provide advice to the Minister of Industry, the
  Honorable Jim Prentice

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SSHRC research training support

• Masters Level
• Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) Masters
  Scholarships
• Doctoral Level
• SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships and supplements
• CGS Doctoral Scholarships and supplements
• SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships and supplement
• Research assistantships and student stipends
  through Standard Research and Strategic Grants
  programs

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SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships Program

• Objectives
• Value and Tenure
• Eligibility
• How to apply
• Selection process
• Evaluation criteria
• A good application
• A good letter of appraisal
• Reminders
• Where to get help

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Objectives

• Support Canadas most promising new scholars in
  the social sciences and humanities
• assist them in establishing a research base at an
  important time in their research careers

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Value and Tenure

• 12 to 24 months in duration
• 38,000 per year plus a research allowance of up
  to 5,000
• Must be held at a recognized university or
  research institution

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Eligibility to apply

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• Have earned their doctorate from a recognized
  university no earlier than October 2, 2004
• or have completed their degree no earlier than
  October 2, 2001, but have had their career
  interrupted or delayed for the purpose of
  childrearing
• Not hold a tenure or tenure-track faculty
  position

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Eligibility to apply (continued)

• Have finalized arrangements for affiliation with
  a recognized university or a research institution
  
• Have applied not more than twice before for a
  SSHRC postdoctoral fellowship
• Not be applying in the 2007/2008 academic year to
  CIHR or NSERC
• Applicants wishing to hold their award at a
  foreign university may do so only if their PhD
  was earned at a Canadian university

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Eligibility to hold an award

• Have completed all requirements for the doctoral
  degree
• Engaged in full-time postdoctoral research for
  the period of the award
• Conducting research in an area that falls within
  the SSHRC mandate
• Not hold a tenure or a tenure-track position or
  any other employment

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How to applyKey dates

• Application Deadline October 2, 2007
• Results Announced February 2008

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Selection process

• gt SSHRCs staff screen applications for
  eligibility
• gt SSHRCs staff forward all eligible applications
  to one of two multidisciplinary committees
• gt Committees evaluate all eligible applications
  and recommend successful candidates
• gt SSHRC informs all applicants of their results
  in February, 2008

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Evaluation criteria

• Selection committees evaluate applicants solely
  on academic merit, measured by
• fellowships, scholarships or other awards
  obtained
• previous research experience and/or publications
• the duration of the doctoral studies

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Evaluation criteria (continued)

• originality, potential significance, and
  feasibility of the proposed program of work
• comments of the referees and the supervisor at
  the intended place of tenure
• appropriateness of the intended place of tenure,
  evidenced by the Institutional Nomination form

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Evaluation criteria (continued)

• Research Appraisal
• completed by the research supervisor at the
  institution where you plan to hold your award
• Letters of Appraisal (2)
• By an acknowledged specialist in your proposed
  area of research
• By someone who can comment on your past and
  potential contribution to research

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Evaluation Criteria (continued)

• Institutional Nomination Form
• The form must be completed by the Department
  Head at the proposed institution and should
  indicate the manner in which they will be able to
  support you

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Program of Work

• A good program of work should
• Be a maximum of two pages
• Highlight research potential
• Provide a clear outline of intended research
• Present the advantages of the intended place of
  tenure
• Include complete details on citations
• Be clear, concise, coherent, error-free and
  complete

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A good application

• Demonstrates
• Excellent potential to conduct advanced scholarly
  research
• Strong communication skills
• Feasibility of the proposed Program of Work
  within the period of tenure of the award
• Is clear, concise, coherent, error-free and
  complete
• Presents a focused Program of Work

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A good Letter of Appraisal

• supports the information in the application
• is enthusiastic
• focuses on the applicant's skills and past
  achievements
• focuses on the applicant's research potential
• stresses strengths and personal attributes
• demonstrates why the applicant is of superior
  calibre and worthy of this award.

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A good Research Appraisal

• describes how your project relates to the
  research interests and strengths of your proposed
  department
• describes how your supervisor will serve as a
  mentor
• should be written free of jargon or highly
  technical language

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Reminders

• Read program description and application
  instructions carefully
• Get someone to read your proposal and comment on
  your program of work
• Ensure that your application is complete and
  error-free
• Let referees know the deadline
• Ensure your list of publications provides
  complete bibliographic information
• Indicate your proficiency in any language
  required for your research

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Reminders (continued)

• Do not start your application at the last minute
• Do not exceed page limits or send more
  information than the instructions require
• Do not use jargon or highly technical language
• Do not include research contributions that
  havent been accepted for publication

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Where to get help University

• Supervisor
• Peers
• Past SSHRC Fellowship recipients

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Where to get help SSHRC

• For more information about the Postdoctoral
  Fellowships Program
• [phone] or fellowships_at_sshrc.ca
• For technical assistance with the on-line
  forms [phone] or webgrant_at_sshrc.ca
• Web site www.sshrc.ca

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We build understanding
Social Sciences and HumanitiesResearch Council
of Canada
Conseil de recherches ensciences humaines du
Canada