Funding application advice from three of KPE’s past winners
The beginning of the fall semester is a busy time for graduate students, both at the Masters and Doctoral levels. Scholarship and award application deadlines, from provincial and federal governing bodies, are placed throughout the semester, beginning as early as the end of September until the start of December. While these application packages can seem intimating, especially for first time applicants, there are some helpful tips that can guide applicants.
Three scholarship winners from KPE, who all successfully obtained funding from the Fonds de Recherche de Québec (FRQ) this past year, offer some insightful advice for those applying. Tayah Liska, 2nd year PhD Candidate, and Ada Sevinc, 2nd year MSc Candidate, both advise to begin planning and prepping the application as early as possible. Ada suggests, ‘it is essential to avoid underestimating the amount of time it takes to put an application package together’. They both state that giving yourself enough time to properly plan out and write each section of the application requirements will help alleviate any additional stress and avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Matthew Slopecki, 3rd PhD Candidate, suggests that students should apply for every scholarship they have the opportunity to, and to not worry about the result until they are released. His advice stems from personal experience, as he says that ‘I applied for 8 unsuccessful multi-year funding opportunities before being successful in the 9th and 10th applications.’
When asked about how their funding has impacted them, all three offer that it has certainly alleviated them from the financial worries and stress that often occurs in graduate school. They all explain that their funding has allowed them to have a greater focus on their research. Additionally, Tayah says that ‘receiving support from the FRQ validates the importance of my research, making it feel even more meaningful’.
Congratulations to Matthew, Tayah and Ada on their FRQ achievement and good luck to all applicants this semester!
Matthew is a PhD Candidate in Dr. Julie Coté’s Biomechanics of Occupation and Sport laboratory.
Tayah is a PhD Candidate in Dr. Shane Sweet’s Theories and Intervention in Exercise and Healthy Psychology laboratory.
Ada is an MSc Candidate in Dr. Jenna Gibbs’ laboratory.