F.A.Q.: International Development Research Centre

International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

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Added: 2005-09-30 16:29

Modified: 2010-03-26 12:47

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F.A.Q.

Fellowships and Awards embodies IDRC’s commitment to the personal and professional development of Canadians, permanent residents of Canada and developing-country nationals. By supporting academic study and offering opportunities for hands-on experience, IDRC is helping countries of the South to provide themselves with a critical mass of trained and experienced researchers to promote sustainable and equitable development in their regions. At the same time, we are giving a new generation of Canadians an opportunity to participate actively in international development issues and to consider careers in this field.

Fellowships and Awards is the focal point of training within IDRC and combines policy, management, and service functions for IDRC-funded training awards. IDRC funds and administers a number of award programs in the field of international development.

The FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs were originally developed by online discussion participants who found themselves constantly answering the same questions. An FAQ list lets discussions focus on more advanced issues, and gives newcomers answers to their most common questions.

1. Who can benefit from IDRC awards?
2. I heard/read about your awards program and would like to apply for a scholarship to study in Canada or another country. How can I apply?
3. How do I apply for a Project-Related Award supporting graduate studies in international development?
4. I am from a developing country and I am registered in a Masters’ program (or a PhD program) in a Canadian University. Do you offer any type of grants or funding to help me pay for my tuition fees? If yes, what are the eligibility criteria?
5. Does Fellowships and Awards support participation in conferences or workshops?
6. I am a Canadian citizen and I would like to do an internship in a developing country. Can you help me with funding?
7. Does IDRC offer summer internships?
8. Do you have a volunteer program?
9. I would like to apply for a position at IDRC. Where should I apply?
10. How do I apply for a Postdoctoral Research Award?
11. I would like to know how to apply for a Sabbatical Award?
12. I am a citizen from a developing country and I am doing my Master’s or PhD in a country other than Canada. Can I apply for an award?
13. Does IDRC register international students in Canadian Universities?
14. If granted an award, am I guaranteed a visa to enter in Canada?
15. Can I apply for an award if I have already started my field research?
16. Can you let me know if my research proposal is relevant before I prepare and submit my documents for an award application?
17. I missed the deadline for an award’s competition. Do you have only one competition per year?
18. Do you consider joint proposals for the IDRC awards, that is, when two students or more work on the same project?
19. May I apply for an award via e-mail?
20. Can I apply for an award if I have other sources of funding for my field research?
21. My name appears on your web site under "Recommended for an Award". What does this mean?
22. Do you know of other organizations that offer grants, awards and scholarships?
23. Is the amount received for an award taxable?
24. I have sent my application but have not received any acknowledgement so far. Can I phone or send an e-mail to find out whether Fellowships and Awards has received my application?

Q : Who can benefit from IDRC awards? [#1]
A : IDRC awards are granted to individuals doing research directly related to and in the context of IDRC’s programs and projects. The Centre also has a corporate awards program, which includes doctoral research awards for Canadian students and developing country nationals studying at a Canadian university, awards for Canadian students studying journalism and internships tenable at IDRC. For the types of awards granted by the Centre as well as the eligibility criteria, please browse through our Internet site: www.idrc.ca/awards

Q : I heard/read about your awards program and would like to apply for a scholarship to study in Canada or another country. How can I apply? [#2]
A : IDRC does not finance studies in Canada or other countries for individuals not involved in IDRC-supported projects.

Q : How do I apply for a Project-Related Award supporting graduate studies in international development? [#3]
A : Project-related awards are not granted via competition. These awards are granted to individuals who are already involved in one of IDRC’s research projects in a developing country.

Q : I am from a developing country and I am registered in a Masters’ program (or a PhD program) in a Canadian University. Do you offer any type of grants or funding to help me pay for my tuition fees? If yes, what are the eligibility criteria? [#4]
A : IDRC does not fund course work, only field research related to a PhD or MA study program. Support is provided after successful participation in competitions.

Q : Does Fellowships and Awards support participation in conferences or workshops? [#5]
A : No, Fellowships and Awards does not support participation to conferences or workshops. IDRC interns may participate in conferences as part of their internship program.

Q : I am a Canadian citizen and I would like to do an internship in a developing country. Can you help me with funding? [#6]
A : IDRC does not support internships in other organizations in developing countries. IDRC offers an internship program in Canada and occasionally in an IDRC Regional Office.

Q : Does IDRC offer summer internships? [#7]
A : IDRC has a Summer Employment Program managed by the Human Resources Division. For more information, please visit the website for the Student Positions.

Q : Do you have a volunteer program? [#8]
A : Unfortunately, due to lack of human resources and limited office space, the IDRC does not host a volunteer program.

Q : I would like to apply for a position at IDRC. Where should I apply? [#9]
A : Fellowships and Awards only deals with awards competitions. For career opportunities, check the Human Resources Division’s website at: Career Opportunities

Q : How do I apply for a Postdoctoral Research Award? [#10]
A : At present the only postdoctoral award offered is the Bentley Fellowship.

Q : I would like to know how to apply for a Sabbatical Award? [#11]
A : Candidates interested in a Sabbatical Award at IDRC need to identify the Program Area of interest and contact the Program Area Director with the details pertaining to the area of research interest. IDRC’s research programs and projects can be found at the following Internet Site: Research Programs and Projects

Q : I am a citizen from a developing country and I am doing my Master’s or PhD in a country other than Canada. Can I apply for an award? [#12]
A : IDRC’s Corporate Awards Program assists Canadian and developing country nationals studying at Canadian universities to conduct their field research in developing countries. Other awards are open to developing country nationals studying in reputable universities in developing countries. Please verify the eligibility criteria for each individual award.

Q : Does IDRC register international students in Canadian Universities? [#13]
A : No. IDRC does not register any students in Canadian Universities. Please contact the appropriate university directly for registration information. Canadian Universities

Q : If granted an award, am I guaranteed a visa to enter in Canada? [#14]
A : IDRC can issue a letter confirming the award in support of your application for a visa; however, the final decision is that of the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.

Q : Can I apply for an award if I have already started my field research? [#15]
A : Yes. However, if you are successful, IDRC will only cover research expenses from the date you are recommended for the award.

Q : Can you let me know if my research proposal is relevant before I prepare and submit my documents for an award application? [#16]
A : The review of research proposals follows set procedures that do not involve feedback at this stage of your application. It is advisable for candidates to check out the research currently being supported by IDRC’s Program Initiatives and become familiar with the objectives of each award. Staff may be contacted if there is a doubt concerning the topic of relevance or if more information is required on the Program Initiative. Research Programs and Projects

Q : I missed the deadline for an award’s competition. Do you have only one competition per year? [#17]
A : Each competition has a different schedule and frequency. Most are held once a year but some (like IDRA) happen twice a year. Others happen once every two years (like the Bentley Fellowship). Please consult the Fellowships and Awards website to check the deadline for each competition application.

Q : Do you consider joint proposals for the IDRC awards, that is, when two students or more work on the same project? [#18]
A : Joint proposals are not considered.

Q : May I apply for an award via e-mail? [#19]
A : Candidates must apply by regular mail or courier services and include ALL the requested documentation. Incomplete applications will not be considered. If possible, in addition to sending the application package by mail, an electronic copy of the research proposal only should be sent to cta@idrc.ca with the competition name in the Subject heading. The exact title of the research proposal should be indicated on the title page.

Q : Can I apply for an award if I have other sources of funding for my field research? [#20]
A : Yes. However, you must provide details of all other sources of funding and specify what items are being covered in the budget submitted to IDRC.

Q : My name appears on your web site under "Recommended for an Award". What does this mean? [#21]
A : This means that your application for the competition has been successful. You will receive an official letter by mail congratulating you and giving you information for the follow up. Some candidates are recommended for an award on a "conditional" basis. In this case, candidates are requested to address issues raised by the reviewers. The award will only be granted upon receipt of a satisfactory response.

The award is actually granted when IDRC sends the award contract to the candidate.

Q : Do you know of other organizations that offer grants, awards and scholarships? [#22]
A : The following are the names of some other institutions that grant awards and scholarships:

Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC)

Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE)

Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)

Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR)

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)

Ford Foundation

Fulbright

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

Rockefeller Foundation

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)

Trudeau Foundation

World Bank

Q : Is the amount received for an award taxable? [#23]
A : By law, IDRC must report, on an annual basis, the amount paid to an individual for a research grant, scholarship, fellowship, bursary or prize to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), on T4A Statements of Pension, Retirement, Annuity and Other income. However, IDRC does not withhold tax at the source. Ultimately, tax matters are the responsibility of the award recipient.

For more information on the tax treatment of awards, refer to the interpretation bulletin IT-75R4 - Scholarships, Fellowships, Bursaries, Prizes, Research Grants and Financial Assistance.

IT-75R4

Q : I have sent my application but have not received any acknowledgement so far. Can I phone or send an e-mail to find out whether Fellowships and Awards has received my application? [#24]
A : In general, Fellowships and Awards does not acknowledge receipt of documents and applications. After the closing date, files are opened and documents checked. All award applicants are required to complete a Checklist indicating any documents sent by separate mail. Applicants will NOT be contacted for missing documents. If there is a problem, it is advisable that you send an e-mail (cta@idrc.ca) with your questions.

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