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Killam International Research Award

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Scholarship at a glance

Deadlines: September 8, 2023 at 4 p.m. AST
Value: $6,000
Scholarship type: In-program
Degree level: Doctoral
Available to: Current Killam Scholars

Description

In her will, Dorothy Killam states:

My purpose in establishing the Killam Trusts is to help in the building of Canada's future by encouraging advanced study. Thereby I hope, in some measure, to increase the scientific and scholastic attainments of Canadians, to develop and expand the work of Canadian Universities, and to promote sympathetic understanding between Canadians and the peoples of other countries.

To advance this mission, Dalhousie, with the support of the Killam Alumni Fund, has established the Killam International Research Award. The intent is to provide global research experiences for our exceptional Killam Scholars at institutions abroad. Two awards of up to $6,000 are available to current Killam Doctoral Scholarship holders to help offset the costs of undertaking research outside Canada for up to 3 months.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible to apply for this supplement, you must:

  • Have accepted or currently hold a Level 2 Killam Predoctoral award.
  • Not have previously held a Killam International Research Award or any other international travel award (e.g., Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement).
  • Conduct research related to your graduate studies at Dalhousie University.
  • Conduct research which requires you to be physically present at the location abroad.

To remain eligible during the period abroad, you must:

  • Hold an active Killam award when your international research study period starts.
  • Be registered full-time in a Ph.D. program for the duration of your international research study.
  • Utilize the award within one year of receiving the award notice.
  • Return to complete your degree at Dalhousie University.

Application overview

Application process

Applications and accompanying documents must be submitted via the FGS Online Scholarship Portal by September 8 at 4 p.m. AST.  Applications must include:

1. Budget proposal

This award will cover costs associated with travel, living and other expenses (such as accommodation, meals, tuition, travel or study visas, insurance and necessary additional expenditures) during the research period abroad. Total estimated costs may exceed $6,000; however, the amount requested from this award cannot exceed $6,000.

Note: Students should be aware that there is significant variability in costs by location and are advised to get more information before completing this section of the application page.

2. Outline of proposed research while abroad

This must be a maximum of two pages written in plain language. Your outline should be readable by someone with a background in the discipline but with no specialized knowledge of the particular field of research. Ensure that your proposal includes the following:

  • A detailed description of your proposed research activities while abroad. Be as specific as possible. State the objectives, significance methodology and expected outcomes and indicate how this relates to and enhances your doctoral research.
  • A description of the potential benefits that you will derive from the proposed research period abroad in relation to your current research objectives.
  • Timelines regarding your research study period abroad, including start/end dates and anticipated milestones.

3. Letters of support

Two letters of support are required and are limited to one page each:

  • A letter from your current research supervisor supporting your research study period abroad.
  • A letter from your potential host supervisor indicating that they will commit the required resources (financial [if any], supervision time, equipment, library access, etc.) to support your planned research activities.  The host supervisor is not required to be engaged with another university, specifically, but must be able to provide the resources and support listed above.

Selection criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on the linkage between the mission, as stated previously, of the Killam Trust, the activities outlined for the proposed research period abroad, and the candidate’s future research/career goals, considering:

  • The significance, feasibility, and merit of proposed activities.
  • The justification for the choice of the host institution(s) and/or host supervisor(s).
  • The relevance and anticipated benefits of the proposed activities to the candidate’s current doctoral training.

Post-award

Successful candidates will be asked to:

  • Review and abide by Dalhousie’s International Travel Policy.
  • Complete the four Before You Go components required by Dalhousie students participating in international learning experiences.
  • Acknowledge the Killam Trust/Alumni Fund awards in any publication or paper from this research period abroad.
  • Consent to have content shared via social media.

Content requirements

Successful candidates will be required to document their international research experience at three different stages.

This documentation will provide feedback to the Killam Trustees and Killam Annual Fund Donors regarding the impact of this award on our Killam Scholars, The Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University as an institution and the international research community.  It will also serve as promotional material for Dalhousie’s Advancement team to assist in their fundraising efforts, so we may continue to support global research experiences for Killam Scholars.