Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Supplement Program, Canada

Publish Date: Aug 02, 2016

What is the purpose of the supplement?

The Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural Sciences and Engineering (AANSE) supplement aims to engage Aboriginal students and fellows in promoting interest and participation in the natural sciences and engineering by visiting Canada’s Aboriginal communities and schools and sharing their research and education experiences or participating in science promotion events and activities.

Are you eligible to hold a supplement?

To be eligible for this supplement, you must:

  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
  • be an Aboriginal person;* and
  • hold a USRA,** Experience Award, Vanier CGS, Alexander Graham Bell CGS, PGS, PDF or IPS.
  • Successful applicants must maintain full-time study, and an active** NSERC scholarship or fellowship, during the course of their AANSE supplement funded activities in order to remain eligible.

* For the purposes of this program, NSERC uses the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982 definition of Aboriginal as including the Indian, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada.

** USRA and Experience Award recipients are eligible for holding an AANSE supplement up to four months after the end of their USRA/Experience Award.

How do you apply?

To be considered for this supplement, you must submit the following documents:

  • a one- to two-page proposal (see below for details);
  • a detailed budget which provides estimates for all costs of travel, accommodation and incidental expenses (for example equipment rental, photocopies, etc.);
  • a letter of reference from your supervisor, or other faculty member within your institution, which attests to your skills and
  • aptitudes for becoming an Aboriginal Ambassador;
  • a copy of documentation confirming your Aboriginal status; and
  • a copy of the Terms and Conditions of Applying Form signed by the applicant.

Your proposal must clearly and succinctly:

  • identify your intended audience (high school, community group, etc.) and the projected number of participants;
  • discuss the method of engagement (speech, workshop, summer camp, etc.);
  • outline the subject matter you will be presenting or your planned outreach activities, and your intended message; and
  • indicate any contacts you have established with the Aboriginal community.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the Secure Submissions for NSERC’s Innovative Collaborations and Science Promotion Programs. Documents must be submitted in Portable Document Format (PDF) as a single document.

You can apply online by clicking to "Further official information" below and then go to the "How to apply" section in the left corner of the text.  

Post-activity deliverables

After completing all of the AANSE funded activities, you must provide NSERC with the following documents:

a one-page report on your experience which describes:

  • how you promoted participation in the natural sciences and engineering;
  • the community you visited and the audience/participants engaged in the science and engineering promotion activity;
  • the total number of participants;
  • the impact that this activity has had on you, your future goals and aspirations, and your interest in science outreach activities; and
  • issues raised which discourage or encourage Aboriginal youth to participate actively in the natural sciences and engineering;
    a one paragraph plain language summary of your report which will be made available to the public; and
    letters from the visited community with feedback on your activity and its impact on the target audience (optional).
    The post-activity deliverables must be received at NSERC no later than two months after completion of the activity.

What kind of expenses does this supplement cover?

The supplement will cover costs associated with the proposed science and engineering promotion activity and Aboriginal community visit. These include costs incurred by the Aboriginal Ambassador for the applicant’s:

  • travel (air, rail, car rental, taxi, etc.);
  • accommodation (hotel, etc.);
  • meals;
  • material and supplies needed for demonstrations or experiments; and
  • incidental expenses (photocopying, faxes, etc.).

Value of supplement

The value of the supplement will be based on the budget proposed in your application, up to a maximum of $5,000. You may hold only one supplement per year. The supplement will be paid separately from your USRA, Experience Award, Vanier CGS, Alexander Graham Bell CGS, PGS, PDF or IPS.

Review procedures

NSERC will review applications submitted to AANSE. Each application will be evaluated using the following criteria:

originality, impact and reach of the proposal;
anticipated value to the Aboriginal youth and the Aboriginal community; and
feasibility of the proposal.
Application deadlines

There are no fixed deadlines for this program. Applications must be made at least two months before the start of a proposed outreach activity. The AANSE supplements available in a given year will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Notification of decision

NSERC will notify applicants of its decision within one month of receiving all the required application documentation.

Signatures

Before you, as an applicant, can submit your application to NSERC, you must read and agree to the terms and conditions listed on the Terms and Conditions of Applying Form. It is your responsibility to retain a copy of the agreed terms and conditions for your records.

For more information

Tel.: 613-944-5803
Fax: 613-947-3847
Email: ambassadors@nserc-crsng.gc.ca

For more information click "Further official information" below.

Further Official Information

Link to Original

Similar Opportunities


Disciplines

Engineering

Natural Sciences

Study Levels

Undergraduate

Opportunity Types

Scholarships

Eligible Countries

Canada

Host Countries

Canada