I write this blog with hopes to provide admissions applicants and first-year masters students some confidence in how to complete an excellent Tri-Council Doctoral Awards application. This isn't the only right way to complete this application; just how I would do it!
This info is meant to supplement the instructions provided by the Research Councils, not repeat or replace it. Please read it all the way through so you are aware of all the application requirements for time-planning purposes.
Unless you write proposals for a living, this application might take you longer than you think.
Step 1: Review the funding program information on the appropriate Doctoral Awards website
Check out the other eligibility requirements and selection criteria here - prove you are the most eligible candidate by addressing the evaluation criteria whenever possible.
Step 2: Create an account on the appropriate portal
IMPORTANT!
Enter your referee names and email addresses in the portal at least one month
before the deadline. Make sure they agree to write the reference first.
Step 3: Order official transcripts
You must upload one legible pdf document of your scanned official post-secondary transcripts. Note that screenshots or unofficial Statement of Grades are not acceptable.
While you might want to wait for a couple of courses to get recorded on your RRU transcript, it's a good idea to order your other ones now. Order your RRU transcript at least 3 weeks before the deadline to ensure you get it in time.
Sort your transcripts in order of oldest education to newest (that’s RRU last). Scan, in black and white, the grades page of each transcript first then the legend page into one file - I only want one legend per institutional set of transcripts. If you anticipate needing help with this part, contact me early.
IMPORTANT!
RRU cannot provide copies, even scanned copies, of the transcripts you
submitted to the institution as part of the admissions process.
REALLY IMPORTANT! You must include transcripts for all institutions mentioned
in your application, including RRU's, otherwise your application will be
considered incomplete.
Step 5: Write the Research Proposal
This piece of the application deserves the most time and attention. I have created a guide on how to write a scholarship research proposal specifically for this competition.
Write your proposal in a Word document minding these mandatory formatting requirements:
- single spaced,
- 12 pt font Times New Roman,
- all margins set at a minimum 3/4",
- pdf file format,
- 8.5 x 11” page,
- name in the top right border,
- number pages in bottom right border.
You are permitted two pages for the proposal and up to five pages for references. Examples are available upon request.
Referencing should be in a format used by the primary discipline of the proposed research.
I
strongly suggest you consult your Program Head while developing your research
proposal. It's ok to ask if your research plan will be acceptable for your
program, and to ask for advice about your method. They truly want you to have
the best chance of success, if you give them time to support you.
You may send me the draft to review. While I’m not a subject matter expert, I
can act as your second set of eyes, ensuring that you are on track with
application requirements, have addressed the critical elements of a research
proposal, and I can be pretty ruthless at cutting out nonessential words
if your proposal is too long. Capacity to provide good feedback is really limited
in the week leading up to the application deadline.
Step 6: Find two faculty or experts in your field of research to complete references
Good referees have a PhD or a Doctoral degree or are well known in your field of research. These people should be able to confidently comment on your academic excellence, research potential, and personal characteristics and interpersonal skills. One of your references should be RRU faculty to tie your research to your program of enrollment.
Enter the contact information for your two references in the application and an email request will be sent to them. This email will provide a link where your reference must be submitted.
To ensure your referees are equipped to provide an appropriate reference, please send them the link to the scholarship program information (from step 2) and your research proposal. Ideally, they will comment on your suitability for the proposed research.
While you're at it, ask your references to review your proposal. They should focus on content, like verifying the appropriateness of the chosen theoretical framework, methodology, method, and data analysis.
Please
give them at least a months' notice! Faculty juggle heavy schedules.
Be sure to thank them now and report back with the outcome of your
application in the Spring.
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