SSHRC scholarships
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two SSHRC awards
SSHRC, which stands for Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council, is the stream most CTL students will be applying for out of the federal tri-agency research councils.
There are two different types of scholarships for PhD students:
Canadian Graduate Scholarship (CGS-D), also known as Joseph Bombardier ($35,000 for up to 3 years)
SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships ($20,000 for up to 3 years)
Quick facts ...
ONLY domestic students (i.e., Canadian citizens and permanent residents) can apply.
Awardees can receive up to $35,000 for up to 3 years for CGS-D and $20,000 for up to 3 years for doctoral fellowships
You can only apply for CGS-D until your 3rd year.
You can apply to doctoral fellowships up until your 4th year.
The application for CGS-D and doctoral fellowships are the same; the committee decides which stream you are eligible for.
The department deadline is typically late September.
You will be notified over email if you make it to the department level, then the School of Graduate Studies level, and then the federal level.
If you are not selected, you be notified over email.
SSHRC components
You will need to submit the following ...
a CV that you complete on a web platform
2 page research contributions statement
program of study (2 pages description of your proposed research, 2 pages for citations)
2 references (ideally people who know you well and will speak really well of you in a persuasive, powerful way)
SSHRC instructions
Start by becoming very familiar with the following sites:
filling out the webform
You will need to make your online application through this site.
You will need to register if you have not applied for a SSHRC award before.
Go to the webform to see the different sections.
You will be asked to verify the form before you submit.
writing a strong program of study
Your program of study is one of the most important parts of your SSHRC application. It must be no more than 4 pages (2 pages of your written description, and 2 pages of citations)
A strong program of study will often ...
be written in accessible, plain language (avoid jargon)
include a very short lit review, where you address a gap in literature that pertains to your research focus
clearly explain your research focus, questions, and purpose
explain your methodology and methods
allude to why you are well situated to do this research at the institution you are at
start looking at different programs of study
Below is one successful SSHRC program of study. If you want more for comparison, you can find successful programs of study in a binder on the 11th floor of OISE. You can reach out to Michelle Pon for more information.
Ty Walkland has generously shared his successful SSHRC application
Walkland SSHRC 2018 Program of Study.pdfgetting your reference letters
When you are filling out your online SSHRC webform, you will be prompted to provide the contact information of two references. You will be also be told to insert a deadline date for those references (i.e. your references will be gently prompted to complete the references before the date you assign).
tips from students
Give your referees a lot of notice. They are likely helping a lot of students with SSHRC applications, and you don't want to leave it to the last moment.
Ask people who know you well to be your references (ideally an advisor or supervisor)!
accepting SSHRC
If you are successful, congratulations! Take some time to celebrate. OISE administrators will contact you directly about when you receive payments.
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