Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program 2012-13
Application Deadline 23rd April, 2012
Eligible applicants:
Canadian Academic Institutions
Notification of results:
June, 2012
This scholarship is tenable between September, 2012 and March, 2013
Background:
Since the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program’s inception in 1959, the Govt of Canada has provided scholarships of excellence to all member countries of the Commonwealth
The goal of the CCSP is to promote Canadian values and identity around the world and to help meet the human capital needs of developing countries
The Govt of Canada has also played a leadership role in the establishment of the international Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan and is the largest contributor to this program following the United Kingdom
Description:
The CCSP provides short-term exchange opportunities for candidates from Commonwealth countries for study or research in Canada at the master’s or doctoral level
The program is open to all disciplines including interdisciplinary programs
Studies or research in Science and Technology will be prioritized
Scholarship Value and Duration:
The scholarship value varies depending on the duration and level of study
The scholarship value is $7,500 CAN for graduate students for a period of four months of study or research; or $10,000 CAN for graduate students for a period of five or six months of study or research
Eligibility:
Candidates must be citizens of one of the following eligible countries
Asia-Pacific:
Bangladesh, India, Kiribati, Malaysia, Maldives, Nauru, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu; or
Africa:
Botswana, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
Candidates who have obtained Canadian citizenship or who have applied for permanent residency in Canada are not eligible;
Already participating in an exchange program in Canada are not eligible;
Already enrolled in a degree or diploma program at a Canadian university or college are not eligible;
Must be enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in an eligible country and paying tuition fees at their home institution for the full duration of the exchange; and
Must be proficient in either English or French
Desired Qualifications:
Priority will be given to candidates undertaking study or research in science and technology; and who have not previously studied in Canada under a Canadian government scholarship
Terms and Conditions:
Canadian postsecondary institutions must submit an application on behalf of each candidate
An application submitted which does not meet the following terms and conditions may not be considered for a scholarship
The Canadian postsecondary institution must be accredited by its provincial or territorial government
An inter-institutional agreement is desirable but not mandatory
If there is no existing exchange agreement, graduate applications which involve a new or established collaboration between professors from a Canadian and a student’s home institution university will be accepted
Tuition or academic fees will be waived at the Canadian institution for scholarship recipients, as recipients are registered full-time and paying tuition to their home institution
A Canadian university may submit more than one application and may be asked to rank their applications based on their strategic priorities at the time of the selection process
Applications submitted directly by a candidate or their home institution will not be accepted
A scholarship recipient may not normally hold any other major scholarship granted by the Govt of Canada
Scholarship recipients taking courses must be in Canada by September for the fall semester or by January for the winter semester
Graduate students conducting research must arrive in Canada between August, 2012 and 15th March, 2013
Failure to arrive during this time will result in the cancellation of the scholarship
Scholarships are not renewable
Scholarships are not taxable for either the institution or the scholarship recipient
Financial reporting is not required from the institution or the scholarship recipient
Application Process:
Applicants are encouraged to read the instructions below carefully before beginning the online application
Canadian institutions:
Must complete the online application form on behalf of each candidate
Canadian faculty who are submitting applications must notify the international office of their respective institution as institutions may be requested to rank their applications; must verify the data prior to submission and check the declaration and permission boxes; must enter the information directly into the field or copy and paste it from another source
Applicants should refrain from using the tab keys when entering the information directly
Certain web based special characters such as HTML tags may cause unpredictable results in the text, or prevent successful submission of an application
The information will appear as plain text; must enter data in the fields provided, following instructions for each item (the official name of the student’s home institution must be provided in their national language); can obtain a hard copy for record keeping by printing the form using the print function in the browser, prior to submitting; and must click Submit for the online application
A confirmation page and reference number will appear after submission
Supporting Documents:
The following documents must be uploaded and attached to the online application form in one of the following formats .pdf, .jpg, .doc, .docx, .txt or .gif
Letter of intent:
A short letter in English or in French from the candidate describing the nature of their research or studies to be undertaken and explaining the rationale for study in Canada and for the choice of institution, program and supervisor
The candidate must also indicate how the proposed program of study or research will relate to their future career (maximum one page)
Privacy Notice Statement:
A copy of the document signed by the candidate (view/download PDF* - 70 Kb)
Proof of Citizenship:
A copy of the candidate’s passport or national identity document with valid dates; a baptism certificate is not accepted as proof of citizenship
Proof of full-time enrolment:
A short letter in English or French from the home institution, on official letterhead, dated within the last six months
This letter must confirm that the candidate is currently enrolled in a full-time program and will continue to be enrolled upon their return
Copies of transcripts, a student card or letter of admission are not acceptable (maximum one page)
Letter of support from the home institution: A short letter in English or in French from the candidate’s professor or international director at the home institution explaining the nature of study and how the candidate and the home institution will benefit from this scholarship program (maximum one page)
Memorandum of Understanding or agreement between the Canadian and the student’s home institution:
A signed copy of this document should be included with the application if the exchange is made under a signed agreement
Letter of invitation:
A short letter from the Canadian supervisor indicating their willingness to support and mentor the candidate (maximum one page)
Deadline:
The deadline for the online application form is 23rd April, 2012, 11.59 p.m. EST
Applications received late or incomplete will not be considered
It is the responsibility of the Canadian institution to ensure that supporting documents are received by the deadline
Supporting documents, other than those requested, will not be accepted
Canadian institutions are advised to establish an earlier deadline with the student’s home institution to ensure timely receipt of supporting documents
Selection Process:
All online applications received by the deadline that meet the eligibility requirements will be reviewed and evaluated for a scholarship
Should there be a larger number of applications than funding available, the Canadian institution may be asked to rank their eligible applications based on their institutional strategic priorities
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria; academic merit of the proposed research or study that the candidate will undertake in Canada; benefit to the home institution, supervisor and peers; benefit to the Canadian institution, supervisor and peers; and strength of the linkages to be created through the proposed exchange
Notification:
Canadian institutions will be notified by the end of June, 2012 by the scholarship administrator regarding the selection results
Successful applicants will receive a grant agreement with further details and conditions from the scholarship administrator
Payment Procedure:
The scholarship will be disbursed by cheque in one Instalment to the Canadian institution following receipt of the following supporting documents
Signed grant agreement by the Canadian institution;
Proof of entry into Canada (copy of the passport page with an entry stamp, study permit or work permit); and
Proof of International or National Medical Coverage for the entire duration of the recipient’s stay in Canada
A cheque for the amount specified in the grant agreement will be sent to the contact person responsible for the scholarship program as specified on the application form at the Canadian institution
The Canadian institution must ensure that the scholarship amount covers; visa and/or study/work permit expenses; funding for the most economical round trip economy class ticket; funding for health insurance; monthly living allowance; and required books, supplies, and equipment, not including computers
The Canadian institution may withhold $300 CAN to cover administration fees once the scholarship recipient arrives in Canada
Any remaining amount will be disbursed to the scholarship recipient to cover additional costs
All funds, including the administrative fee, must be returned to the scholarship program administrator if the scholarship recipient does not take up the scholarship
These scholarships are subject to the availability of funding from the Govt of Canada
For more details visit website http://www.scholarships-bourses.gc.ca/scholarships-bourses/can/institutions/ccsp-pcbc.aspx?=eng%25view=d&view=d
