Which scholarships should you apply for?

The first scholarship is usually the hardest to get. To improve your chances, you should consider applying for as many scholarships as possible, including the smaller ones. Obtaining a scholarship, regardless of the amount, will improve your CV for when you apply for more prestigious ones.

Recommendations for preparing your application

An application must be carefully prepared. Each section should help tell your story, round out your profile and highlight your qualities and background. You should guide the reader to help them follow your journey. Explain everything clearly; don’t assume that the readers are all experts in the field.

Steps

• Prepare your applications in advance.
• Find relevant scholarships (see the scholarship directory and the graduate scholarships  page.
• Make sure you meet the eligibility criteria.
• Read the instructions carefully and review the funding agency’s FAQ to understand its objectives.
• Draw up a schedule based on the application deadlines for each scholarship you plan to apply for.
• Identify referees and contact them in advance (allow at least 4 to 6 weeks for a response).
• Complete the forms early so you can identify any missing information or documents you need to obtain.
• If official transcripts are required, request them from the appropriate office as soon as possible to ensure they are received on time.

Check the evaluation criteria

When preparing your scholarship application, you should first check the evaluation criteria and their weightings. Here are the criteria typically used in the different types of competitions:

Merit-based scholarships

• Academic record (grades, scholarships, distinctions and awards, relevant experience).
• Research project (often the most important factor at the doctoral level).
• Quality of the research environment (its impact varies depending on the scholarship).

Categorical scholarships

• Criteria depend on the category (e.g. research project promoting sustainable development, scholarship for students with disabilities, scholarship promoting student engagement, etc.).

Application strategies

• Involve your research supervisor in the preparation of your application by consulting them in advance to obtain their support.
• Highlight your strengths by being strategic and staying consistent with the scholarship’s objectives and evaluation criteria.
• Organize your application to build an argument.
• Use all the space provided; avoid leaving empty space.
• Edit what you have written to improve the style, clarify the content and your project or explain it in lay terms (the evaluators are not necessarily specialists in the field).
• Clearly describe the project’s scientific and social relevance. Explain its importance by mentioning points such as the number of people affected by the problem, its serious consequences, etc.
• Do not repeat the same information in different sections. It is preferable to refer back to previous sections where appropriate, to make the best possible use of the space.
• Emphasize your achievements.

Write the project description carefully

The project description is a central part of the application. The first paragraph should grab and hold the evaluator’s attention. It sets the tone for the application and underscores the importance of the project. It should make the evaluator remember the applicant and their project. Each word should be chosen with care. Here are some tips for writing a project description:

• Emphasize the project’s applicability, relevance and originality.
• Situate the project within a broader research program.
• Be clear and logical.
• Back up your project description with preliminary data, if possible.
• Avoid using overly specialized jargon.
• Use active verbs.
• Tailor the language to that of the funding organization.
• Reread your text several times or have someone else read it to make sure it’s flawless.

Hone your CV

• Don’t leave out any significant points.
• Demonstrate your ability to do university-level research.
• Highlight what you plan to accomplish in your field of research and beyond.
• Provide objective information about the significance or impact of your achievements (e.g. impact of a publication, number of people who went to hear you deliver a paper at a conference, etc.).
• If space is limited, carefully select what to include based on the funding program’s objectives. Bear the program’s criteria in mind.
• Avoid duplication and overstating your achievements.

Required sections in your CV

• Academic: Academic performance is paramount (e.g. enrolment in an honours program, internships, collaborations within or without the department or faculty, completion of a thesis (if applicable), work as a teaching assistant or lecturer).
• Honours, awards and scholarships: list all scholarships you were awarded (including any you declined), the slightest distinctions, all honours and other academic awards, inclusion on the dean’s list, etc. It is preferable to list awards and honours separately from scholarships, in two sections.
• Research experience: published articles (in scientific journals and/or lay publications), contributions to a book or book chapter, research reports, internship reports, talks, poster presentations.
• Engagement: Highlight experience outside your academic program, such as community service demonstrating leadership (e.g. involvement in a student association, participation in conferences, volunteer activities demonstrating your social responsibility, etc.).

Other tips

• Don’t apologize for not having done enough.
• The scholarship application should be in one language: all sections, including the CV and letters of recommendation, should be in the same language.
• The “special circumstances” section should be left blank except in the event of maternity, serious illness or other very specific circumstances that affected your academic progress.
• The document should be well organized and presented: clearly indicate the sections, follow the instructions, list publications and papers according to APA style (in chronological order, listing all authors).
• Style is very important. Carefully edit your application and avoid obscure jargon.

Effective letters of recommendation

The letters from referees are useful for adding information that cannot be included in the application. Here are some strategies for obtaining good letters of recommendation:

• Choose referees who know you very well.
• Contact them well in advance (at least 4 to 6 weeks before the deadline).
• Lay the groundwork: Talk to them about your strengths, your project and past achievements to provide them with the information they need to write a fact-based letter.
• Give them the instructions for sending their letters. 
• Advice for professors on writing a letter of recommendation is available in the Guide du professeur sur les lettres de recommandation.
• Ask them if they would like to be reminded close to the deadline.

See the Guide de l’étudiant sur les lettres de recommandation for more details.