Ingenium-NSERC STEAM Horizon awards

Instructions for completing an application

• General information
• Completing the application
• Signatures
• List for a complete application

General information

Important: applications must be submitted electronically using the  Secure submissions for NSERC’s scholarships and fellowships and Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering programs. Documents must be submitted in portable document format (PDF).

Read the award description in the Program guide for students and fellows before you complete the application.

Application deadline

You must apply directly to NSERC before 8:00 p.m. (ET) on January 15.

If you are contacting your current and/or former institutions to obtain transcripts and the letters of support, remember that it may take time for them to provide you with the information requested. It is advisable to plan ahead and have your application complete before the deadline. Late and handwritten applications will not be accepted.

Presentation standards

You are responsible for assembling the required documentation, including the letters of support, and submitting a complete application that conforms to the presentation standards established by NSERC.

With the exception of personal contact information, NSERC will not accept any changes or updates to your application once it has been submitted. Personal contact information may be updated by sending an email to schol@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.

Personal information

The collection, use and disclosure of personal information provided to NSERC are outlined in the following policy statements:

• The Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act (including the use and disclosure of personal information provided to NSERC)
• Data retention information
• Privacy notice

The information you provide in your application is collected under the authority of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Act. NSERC is subject to the  Access to Information Act and the  Privacy Act. The information you provide is stored in a series of NSERC data banks described in  Information about programs and information holdings.

Help

If you are experiencing technical difficulties or have questions about award information, contact the staff responsible for the Ingenium-NSERC STEAM Horizon awards.

Completing the application

Complete applications must be uploaded using the  Secure submissions for NSERC’s scholarships and fellowships and Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering programs. You and your references must complete the necessary forms; extra pages and text outside of the given space will not be reviewed.

Address

If your address changes after submitting your application, inform NSERC by sending an email to schol@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.

Self-identification data

• At the time of submission, you must complete a questionnaire (through the secure submissions site) that covers age, gender, Indigenous identity and/or identity as a member of a visible minority group and/or as a person with a disability.
• For the ID field, please enter your last name.
• The program collects self-identification data to monitor levels of diversity, policies and processes for potential systemic barriers. Although completion of the questionnaire is mandatory, each question includes the option I prefer not to answer. Self-identification data are not seen or used by NSERC reviewers.

NSERC will ask award recipients for proof of age, citizenship or residency status and Indigenous status (if applicable) upon acceptance of an award.

Academic background

Include the name of your current institution (your high school) with your start and end dates. If you are still registered, leave the end date blank.

Proposed location

Specify one proposed location of tenure. You may take up the award at any eligible Canadian post-secondary institution (university, college or CÉGEP). You will be permitted to attend a different location from the one indicated if you change your mind, provided the new institution is eligible. These data are not seen or used by the selection committee members.  

Achievements

Describe the achievement(s) for which you were recognized within and beyond academia. Achievements may be in the form of scholarships, awards, distinctions, projects you have managed, participation in science promotion, community outreach or volunteer work. Write a detailed description in paragraph form.

Ambassador potential

Describe what you’ve accomplished so far as an ambassador for STEAM fields and the actions you plan to take in the next two years to share your passion for STEAM with younger generations. Write a detailed description in paragraph form.  

Problem solving with innovative ideas in STEAM

Describe how you’ve tackled a problem within your community using innovative ideas in the STEAM fields and the impact it had on your community. This can be something that you have previously done or are currently doing. Write a detailed description in paragraph form.

Transcripts

Scan and upload a copy of your most recent transcript(s). This must include your academic record over the previous year of study. Transcripts must be scanned (black and white recommended) and saved as a single PDF file. Transcript text orientation should be upright (if possible) and must be readable on a computer monitor without any adjustment by the viewer.

Letters of support

Each application submitted to NSERC must be accompanied by two letters of support. Your references must use the form provided on the program’s website. The letters must be completed by persons capable of making an informed assessment. Both letters should be from persons very familiar with your achievements, your potential as an ambassador and your innovation/problem solving capabilities. This could include a teacher, co-op supervisor, work supervisor, etc.

NSERC strongly encourages the use of inclusive language (for example, “the applicant” or “they” instead of “he” or “she”). Any discussions should be free from words or sentences that reflect prejudiced, stereotyped or discriminatory language of particular people, groups or their institution. Use of inclusive language has been shown to decrease unconscious bias during the review process. For further information on unconscious bias, consult the Department for Women and Gender Equality’s  Unconscious bias — Additional resources web page (formerly Status of Women Canada).

What you should do:

• Contact your proposed references to ensure they are willing to complete the letter of support for you—do not forget that two letters are required.
• Provide them with information about the Ingenium-NSERC STEAM Horizon awards, these instructions and the letter of support form.
• Inform them of the application deadline and ask them to submit their letters to you well before this date so that your complete application can be submitted by the deadline.

Note: Your application will be rejected if you do not submit two letters of support.

What references should do:

References must complete and use the letter of support form and print, sign and return it to the applicant.

Video clip

Create a short video that illustrates your achievements and outreach capabilities and demonstrates your oral communication skills. A video made by a trained professional from a third party will not be reviewed.

Video criteria

1. Submissions must not exceed two minutes in length for the video component and 99 megabytes (all electronic files, including audio/video).
2. Submissions must be submitted via the  Secure submissions for NSERC’s scholarships and fellowships and Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering programs—acceptable formats include AVI (.avi), MOV (.mov) and MPEG (.mp1, .mp2, .mp3, .mp4, .mpeg, .mpg and mpeg4).
3. Links to websites, public or private, will not be accepted. A submission must be respectful and courteous and be in English or French or both.
4. NSERC will not accept submissions that are offensive to an individual or an organization, or those that are rude in tone or abusive—NSERC reserves the right to refuse, edit or remove any of the following:
• racist, hateful, sexist, homophobic, slanderous, insulting or life-threatening content
• serious, unproven, unsupported or inaccurate accusations against individuals or organizations
• abusive, aggressive, coarse, explicit, vulgar, violent, obscene or pornographic content
• content that encourages or suggests illegal activity
• announcements, solicitations, advertisements or endorsements of any organizations or corporations
• attempts to defame or defraud any individual, group or agency
• unintelligible or irrelevant content

Signatures

Before you can submit your application to NSERC, you must read and agree to the Application and terms and conditions of applying form. It is your responsibility to retain a copy of the agreed terms and conditions for your records.

If you are below the age of majority in your province or territory, your parent or guardian must co-sign your application.

The age of majority is 18 in six provinces: Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan.

The age of majority is 19 in four provinces and the three territories: British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut and Yukon.

List for a complete application

Use the following list to make sure your application is complete.

• application and terms and conditions of applying form*
• letters of support (two)*
• transcripts
• video clip

* You must use the forms provided on the program’s website. If you make changes to the documents or submit a document in free form, it will not be considered in your application. An incomplete application will not be considered for the Ingenium-NSERC STEAM Horizon awards.