Doctoral Awards

Royal Roads University is able to nominate applications for the national competition for renewable awards valued up to $35,000/year. SSHRC determines the value and duration of an award based on the number of months of full-time study (or equivalent) the applicant will have completed at the proposed start date of the award.

The following student groups who meet the basic eligibility requirements listed on the SSHRC website are encouraged to pursue a nomination through RRU:

1. Active RRU doctoral students, or
2. Masters students who are in their final year of study, actively enrolled at RRU at the application deadline date, and intend on enrolling in a doctoral program the following calendar year.

Students who have not yet to begin their doctoral study must apply directly to SSHRC. Note: check www.sshrc.ca for direct applicant deadline.

A complete application consists of:

Advice:

1. Application Form
Create an account on SSHRC website and print the web instructions. These instructions will aid you in choosing the most appropriate information to declare in the application.

The application will ask how many months of studies you will have completed at the expected start date of the award. Count the number of months from the beginning of the doctoral program to the proposed start date of your award. May 1st of next year is the most desirable start date for SSHRC and RRU, and January of the following year is the least.

RRU's doctoral program is full-time.

Please list your current position as ‘Student’ and complete the corresponding fields related to your program of enrollment.

Be sure to list Royal Roads University in the list of transcripts appended.

The application is complete once PLEASE VERIFY disappears from page 1 of the pdf.

2. Program of Study   Number these pages 10 and 11.
Write the first draft of your Program of Study and email it to your two chosen referees with a link to the Letter of Appraisal (see below advice number 5 for suggested wording).

3. Bibliography and Citations Page number starts at 12, max 5 pages.
List at least four or five relevant resources and refer to them in your Program of Study. There is no specified style preferred, but whatever you choose, keep it consistent.

4. Official Transcripts
Order official transcripts from previous institutions attended and have them sent directly to RRU’s Office of Research. Transcripts may take several weeks to arrive!

RRU’s transcript will be automatically supplied to the Office of Research.

5. Letters of Appraisal
Choose two referees that can comment on the main themes of this award (e.g. academic excellence, research potential and communication skills). Ideally, they will be well known in the research community but it is more important that they can provide strong recommendations regarding your skills in the award themes. Ensure at least one of them holds a PhD or doctoral degree.

Suggested wording of request:
Dear [Referee],

Thank you for your kind consideration in writing a Letter of Appraisal in support of my application for a SSHRC Doctoral Award.

You will find guidelines for completing this form on the first page of the following link. Because you cannot save this form, please first type the content in Word and electronically copy and paste it to the form – note the limited space for comments.

http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/apply-demande/LetterAppraisalDoc2011_e.pdf

I have provided a draft copy of my two-page Program of Study (i.e. the research proposal). Would you please refer to this while completing my appraisal?  Critical feedback is appreciated. As well, I appreciate any advice you wish to provide on its contents as I would like the best possible piece to go forward.

If you have trouble with this appraisal, please contact Gwen Campden, RRU Office of Research, and she would be happy to help.  
Ph: 250-391-2502 or email gwen.campden@royalroads.ca

Please mail the original signed Letter of Appraisal to Gwen so that she receives it by December 1st. 

Gwen Campden
Office of Research
Royal Roads University
2005 Sooke Road
Victoria BC, V9B 5Y2

6. Departmental Appraisal
Office of Research will arrange for completion of this form after all applications are collected.

Instructions for Submission to RRU

• Do not use staples.
• All original documentation must be received by December 1.
• Only original ink signatures will be accepted.
• Application form is to be completed electronically, verified for completeness, printed single-sided and signed for submission.
• Program of Study and the bibliography may be submitted by email to gwen.campden@royalroads.ca to check formatting.
• Program of Study and the bibliography must be printed single-sided.
• Official transcripts must be supplied by the applicant. RRU cannot release transcripts from your application to the university.
• Supporting documentation may be submitted separately from application form and mailed directly to the Office of Research by universities and referees. 
• Late applications cannot be accepted.

Mail applications and supporting documentation to:

Gwen Campden
Research Development Coordinator
Office of Research
Royal Roads University
2005 Sooke Road
Victoria BC, V9B 5Y2