Queen Elizabeth Scholarships 2019 – FAQs

Yes, all current or previously funded projects are eligible to apply.

This call for proposals will fund a) awards for Canadian students to undertake internships in an eligible country and b) awards for incoming international graduate level students from eligible countries to study or undertake research at a Canadian university.

We would encourage all universities to offer funding to as many students as possible but in exceptional circumstances and with prior approval, a previous award holder may be eligible.

In the case of Canadian interns going abroad, they are required to travel on their Canadian passport and well as meet all visa requirements based on their Canadian citizenship as well as register with Global Affairs Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad.

In the case of incoming international students who have a status in Canada (refugee, permanent resident or citizen), they are not eligible for funding as an incoming international student.

The overall program will ensure that at least 75% of QEScholars are Canadian (not that 75% of the program funds are awarded to Canadian students). The selection process will ensure that the overall program criteria are met; universities do not need to address these criteria in their proposal.

As defined in the guidelines, “internship” is broadly defined as an opportunity for students to gain practical or professional skills, also often referred to as experiential learning. This does not include study abroad nor does it include conducting research related to the student’s Canadian university degree. Internships may include research undertaken for the host institution/organization.

Internships may be paid or voluntary positions.

The program is open to all academic disciplines, but the focus of all project activities must be in at least one of the following areas: health, education or social services.

Community engagement activities go above and beyond the daily activities being funded by the QES (internships or graduate level studies/research). They are mandatory activities that give back to the host community. Volunteer activities may include, but are not limited to:

• Volunteering within the local community;
• Participating in community events, such as roundtables, fora and panel discussions;
• Peer mentoring, knowledge sharing and networking between alumni and current scholars;
• Strengthening character and professional skills through public speaking, networking, problem-solving, and leadership activities; or
• Applying global experiences or knowledge to enhance the local community.

The terms of reference do not need to be prepared as part of the proposal. Note that in the application form we ask how your university will help ensure the success of the partnership and how the QEScholars will contribute to the objectives of the partner institution.

If you will be sending Canadian interns abroad, you need to identify specific partners, or a strategy to identify partners if you do not have them by the time of submission.

The incoming international student may complete an entire degree at a Canadian institution or can be funded to undertake short term course work or research, as long as they meet the program criteria. In the case of incoming scholars undertaking short term study or research, QES funded activities must be directly linked to the Masters or Ph.D. program in which they are registered in their home country and the activity must be recognized by their home institution as directly relevant to their graduate degree.

The 50% contribution is the aim for the overall program. There is no minimum recommended for each project proposal; though a higher, but realistic, contribution may be viewed more favourably by the selection process. Note that as defined in the guidelines, the university contribution refers to the cash, in-kind and leveraged contribution(s) provided by the university, the partner institution/organization and/or participant. This may include:

• Tuition paid by the Canadian students directly related to the credited QES funded activities, tuition waivers or discounts; other discounts or waivers to academic, living or travel costs;
• Administrator/Supervisory time, researchers’ salaries and/or research assistants’ stipends, publication costs, communication costs, technical costs, conference registration fees, costs for organizing an academic event/conference and interpretation. The partner institutions/organizations may also contribute toward airfares, ground transportation, accommodation, stipend, etc.; and
• Financial contributions from other sources including foundations, community and/or industry partners and other funding agencies.

Medical residences in the field (outside of Canada) qualify as internships if they meet all the program requirements.

Universities are to apply for funding for one or more of the following:

• Internships for Canadian students going to eligible countries
• Scholarships for international graduate students from an eligible country to study or do research at a Canadian university

This application or “bundle” of activities is what is referred to as a “project.” How these activities are linked together is at the discretion of the Canadian university. A university may choose to limit their proposal to outgoing Canadian internships or to incoming international students or do both, all of which are acceptable options. Priority will be given to project proposals that focus on diversity and inclusion and which offer innovative solutions to complex community issues.

It is possible for an overseas partner to collaborate with multiple Canadian institutions on this program.

Conducting research related to the student’s Canadian university degree would not be considered an internship. Internships may include research undertaken for the host organization.

Incoming international students must be from an eligible country but do not have to come from a partner institution.

All internships must be with a university partner organization.

Incoming international graduate students are not required to pursue their entire degree at the Canadian institution; however, they must still meet all program requirements as described in the guidelines, and their time in Canada as part of the QES program must be recognized by their home institution.

Please provide all information in the allotted space, which is a maximum of 500 words.

Canadian universities may submit one project proposal and seek QES project funding of up to $300,000 CAD.

Canadian universities which have recognized provincial degree-granting powers or their affiliates may submit a proposal to the QES program. Universities may partner with another Canadian university (or universities) for a joint proposal; however, each university may only be the lead applicant in one submission to the program.

No, universities may submit a proposal for projects that comprise of one or both program activities.

Results are expected to be emailed to all applicants in late 2019/early 2020.

Universities Canada will respond to all email inquiries sent to [email protected] within one working day if received by Monday, October 28, 2019 at 4 pm EST. All responses are posted on our FAQ page, which is updated weekly. The last update to the FAQ page will be on Wednesday, October 30, 2019.

The letter of support would be from the partner organization(s), not the Canadian university. The letter may be from whoever is most appropriate from the partner organization, which is at the discretion of the Canadian university.

It is possible to submit some letters written in French and others written in English.

It is possible to submit a bilingual proposal with some parts in English and other parts in French.

Letters of support to confirm matching funds are not required; however, we expect strong applicants to provide a detailed explanation of where the funds are coming from in the Cost-Effectiveness and Budget” section of the application form. The Canadian university will be responsible for maintaining all documents concerning financial contributions, including those pertaining to the partner institution’s financial contributions.

Universities Canada will require successful Canadian universities to submit an initial workplan (narrative and financial), annual narrative reports, semi-annual financial reports as well as an end of project narrative report (templates to be provided). Before receiving any QES funds, all scholars will be required to complete a pre-departure form which must be approved by the university.  Scholars are also required to submit a scholar narrative report which will be due no later than 2 weeks prior to the end of their award. Universities and scholars will be encouraged to participate in program evaluation processes which may involve surveys, interviews and both summative and formative evaluations. The program will also collect data from alumni regarding the impact their participation in this program has had on their career and study paths.