BRANDON UNIVERSITY

MANITOBA GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS (BU-MGS)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

BRANDON UNIVERSITY MANITOBA GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS INTRODUCTION

Funded by the Province of Manitoba and managed by Brandon University, the purpose of the Brandon University Manitoba Graduate Scholarshipsis

to ensure that Manitoba’s best students continue their education at home, to foster research that will lead to economic growth, and to attract excellent students to study in Manitoba(as per the MB BU Agreement).

The Brandon University Faculty of Graduate Studies offers five (5) $15,000 Manitoba Graduate Scholarships annually for total available funding of $75,000. Scholarships are awarded to full-time graduate students who have demonstrated academic excellenceand research potential.

GENERAL BU-MGS INFORMATION

ApplicantEligibility

To be eligible to apply fora Brandon University Manitoba Graduate Scholarship an applicant

  • must have a minimum CGPA of 3.0 inthe last 30 credit hours of university coursework, (the minimum requirement for submitting an application for renewal is a 3.3 GPA);
  • must have a BU faculty member as a supervisor; and
  • must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, (Visa students are not eligible).

To be eligible to hold a Brandon University Manitoba Graduate Scholarship an applicant

  • must have confirmed acceptance to, or be currently enrolled in, a graduate program at Brandon University;
  • must be enrolled full-time in a graduate program while holding the BU-MGS (minimum nine (9) credit hours per academic calendar year);
  • must be completing a research-based graduate program;
  • must not simultaneously hold a BU-MGS with any other scholarship of equal or greater value; and
  • must not be employed for more than 16 hours per week.

Research

As per the Brandon University - Province of Manitoba Agreement, Scholarships are awarded to students completing a research-based graduate program only and not to those in professional programs of study. A research-based program is one where a thesis or dissertation (or equivalent) is required.

In addition, as per the federal Tri-Agency Canada Graduate Scholarshipsprogram definition of research,Asignificant research component is considered to be original, autonomous research that leads to the completion of a thesis, major research project, dissertation, scholarly publication, performance, recital and/or exhibit that is merit/expert-reviewed at the institutional level as a requirement for completion of the program. Master’s programs that are based only on course work are typically not eligible since they do not include a significant research component.

Selection Criteria

The Brandon University Senate Graduate Studies Committee will assess and rank all applications based on the BU-MGS selectioncriteria outlined below:

  1. Academic Excellence
  • as demonstrated by academic transcripts, awards, and distinctions.
  1. Research Ability or Potential
  • description of the research project or thesis;
  • significance, feasibility, and merit of proposed research;
  • relevance of work experience, and academic training to the field of proposed research;
  • quality of contributions to research and development (including publications and presentations);
  • communication skills as demonstrated by work experience, community involvement, and other extracurricular activities;
  • ability to think critically;
  • ability to apply skills and knowledge;
  • judgment and originality;
  • enthusiasm for research; and
  • determination and ability to complete projects within an appropriate period of time.
  1. Letters of Recommendation and Support
  • letter of recommendation from Chair/Director; and
  • two (2) letters of support from individuals who are able to speak to the student’s research ability and potential.

Selection Criteria Weightings
Criteria / Weighting
Academic Excellence / 50%
Research Ability or Potential / 30%
Letters of Recommendation and Support / 20%

Value and Duration of Scholarship

Students accepted into a graduate program at Brandon University may apply for a Brandon University Manitoba Graduate Scholarship of $15,000 for one year (12 months). Students are eligible to apply for a one-time renewal.

HOW TO APPLY

Application Process

Applicants are required to downloadthe application form from the Office of Research Services (ORS) website, complete it, and submitit to the Manager of Research Services via email.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required accompanying documents have been received by the ORS by the deadline; therefore, it is important to start the application process early.

Steps in the application process:

  1. Download application from ORS website;
  2. Complete application and submit via email to ; and
  3. Provide the following required documents:
  4. Official transcriptsfrom all universities attended;
  5. Letter of Recommendation from the Chair of the Department or Director of the Graduate Program. Letter shall be submitted either by email with attachment or by hardcopy in a sealed envelope to the ORS; and
  6. Two (2) Letters of Support from individuals who are able to speak to the applicant’s research ability and potential. Letters can be from individuals who are either internal or external to BU. Letters shall be submitted either by email with attachment or by hardcopy in a sealed envelope to the ORS.

Renewal Application Process

Applicants are required to download the renewal application form from the ORS website, complete, and submit via email to the Manager of Research Services. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required accompanying documents have been received by the ORS by the deadline; therefore, it is important to start the application process early. Note that a renewal is not automatic and that sufficient information must be provided in the application for the committee to determine progress made in the program as well as work remaining.

Steps in the Renewal Process:

  1. Compete the renewal application and submit electronically; and
  2. Provide the following required documents with the application submission:
  3. Official transcripts from all universities attended; and
  4. Letter of Support from Supervisor, submitted either by email with attachment or by hardcopy in a sealed envelope to the ORS.

Note 1: Only typed applications will be accepted.

Note 2: Incomplete application submissions WILL NOT be considered.

To start the application process, please visit the Brandon University ORS website at

Deadlines

Applications are due March 1. Lateapplications will not be accepted. Where the 1st falls on a weekend, the deadline will be the following business day.

POST APPLICATION

Notification of Decision

The Senate Graduate Studies Committee will meet in March to adjudicate applications; notifications of decision will normally be sent out to applicants by June.

Acceptance of Scholarship

Successful applicants will receive a Scholarship Acceptance Agreementwith their notification of decision letter, to be completed and returned to the Manager of Research Services by the stated deadline.

Payment Schedules

BU-MGS payments will be disbursed in two equal installments, made in September and January, via direct deposit into the scholarship recipient’s account.

Start Date

The start date of the BU-MGS is normally September, the beginning of the academic year. An early start date (May) may be approved upon receipt of a signed letter of support from the student’s supervisor.

Awards may be deferred for one term, until January. For such a deferral, special written permission from the Senate Graduate Studies Committee is required. Recipients must decline the BU-MGS and may reapply in a subsequent competition if they are unable to accept the scholarship in January.

Termination of Scholarship

Should a student withdraw from the graduate program or fail to meet the eligibility criteria the BU-MGS will be terminated. The BU-MGS will be pro-rated to the date of termination. The student will be required to repay BU-MGS funds issued for the time period after the effective date of termination.

Contact Information

For more information on the Brandon University Manitoba Graduate Scholarships, please contact

Kerry Murkin

Manager of Research Services

Brandon University

Clark Hall Room #113-3

270 – 18th Street

Brandon Manitoba R7A 6A9

Telephone #: (204) 727-7445

Email:

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