Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Supplement Program

This supplement program is available to Aboriginal persons who hold an Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA), Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship (Vanier CGS), Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship (Alexander Graham Bell CGS), Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS), Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF), Industrial Postgraduate Scholarship (IPS), Industrial R&D Fellowship (IRDF) or Northern Research Internship.

What is the purpose of the supplement?

The Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural Sciences and Engineering (AANSE) supplement aims to engage Aboriginal students and fellows in promoting interest and participation in the natural sciences and engineering by visiting Canada’s Aboriginal communities and schools and sharing their research and education experiences or participating in science promotion events and activities.

NSERC strongly encourages applicants to consult the List of organizations participating in the AANSE supplement program. These PromoScience funded organizations, science centres and other partners of the AANSE program conduct activities focused on promoting science to Aboriginal youth. They have expressed interest in establishing partnerships with NSERC Aboriginal Ambassadors and providing coaching and support to the Aboriginal Ambassadors in delivering outreach activities.

Are you eligible to hold a supplement?

To be eligible for this supplement, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
• be an Aboriginal person*; and
• hold a USRA**, Vanier CGS, Alexander Graham Bell CGS, PGS, PDF, IPS, IRDF or Northern Research Internship.

Successful applicants must maintain full-time study, and an active** NSERC scholarship or fellowship, during the course of their AANSE supplement funded activities in order to remain eligible.

* For the purposes of this program, NSERC uses the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982 definition of Aboriginal as including the Indian, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada.

** USRA recipients are eligible for holding an AANSE supplement up to four months after the end of their USRA.

How do you apply?

To be considered for this supplement, you must submit the following documents:

• A one- to two-page proposal (please see below for details);
• A detailed budget which provides estimates for all costs of travel, accommodation and incidental expenses (for example equipment rental, photocopies, etc.);
• A letter of reference from your supervisor, or other faculty member within your institution, which attests to your skills and aptitudes for becoming an Aboriginal Ambassador;
• A copy of documentation confirming your Aboriginal status; and
• A statement, with your signature, confirming that you agree to the general conditions governing scholarships and fellowships outlined in the NSERC Program Guide for Students and Fellows and Instructions for Completing Form 200.

Your proposal must clearly and succinctly:

• identify your intended audience (high school, community group, etc.) and the projected number of participants;
• discuss the method of engagement (speech, workshop, summer camp, etc.);
• outline the subject matter you will be presenting or your planned outreach activities, and your intended message;
• indicate any contacts you have established with the Aboriginal community; and
• explain contacts you have had or will have with PromoScience funded partner organizations, science centres or other organizations in support of your planned activities.

Post-activity deliverables

After completing all of the AANSE funded activities, you must provide NSERC with the following documents:

• A one-page report on your experience which describes:
  • how you promoted participation in the natural sciences and engineering;
  • the community you visited and the audience/participants engaged in the science and engineering promotion activity;
  • the total number of participants;
  • the impact that this activity has had on you, your future goals and aspirations, and your interest in science outreach activities;
  • if applicable, the effectiveness of the partnership link between you and the PromoScience funded partner or other organization; and
  • issues raised which discourage or encourage Aboriginal youth to participate actively in the natural sciences and engineering;
• A one paragraph plain language summary of your report which will be made available to the public; and
• Letters from the visited community and (if applicable) the partner organization with feedback on your activity and its impact on the target audience.

The post-activity deliverables must be received at NSERC no later than two months after completion of the activity.

What kind of expenses does this supplement cover?

The supplement will cover costs associated with the proposed science and engineering promotion activity and Aboriginal community visit. These include costs incurred by the Aboriginal Ambassador for the applicant’s:

• travel (air, rail, car rental, taxi, etc.);
• accommodation (hotel, etc.);
• meals;
• material and supplies needed for demonstrations or experiments; and
• incidental expenses (photocopying, faxes, etc.).

Value of supplement

The value of the supplement will be based on the budget proposed in your application, up to a maximum of $5,000. You may hold only one supplement per year. The supplement will be paid separately from your USRA, Vanier CGS, Alexander Graham Bell CGS, PGS, PDF, IPS, IRDF or Northern Research Internship.

Review procedures

NSERC will review applications submitted to AANSE. Each application will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Originality, impact and reach of the proposal;
• Anticipated value to the Aboriginal youth and the Aboriginal community; and
• Feasibility of the proposal.

Application deadlines

There are no fixed deadlines for this program. Applications must be made at least two months before the start of a proposed outreach activity. The AANSE supplements available in a given year will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Notification of decision

NSERC will notify applicants of its decision within one month of receiving all the required application documentation.

Please address all documents and inquiries to:

Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Supplement
Scholarships Programs
NSERC
350 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 1H5

Tel.: 613-944-5803
Fax: 613-996-2589
E-mail: schol@nserc-crsng.gc.ca