2011-2012 Graduate Research Awards for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
See the following link or the pdf file below to view the Report of the 2011-2012 Graduate Research Awards Debates on Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.
Recipients of the 2011-2012 Graduate Research Awards.
2011-2012 Competition Details
Graduate Research Awards for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation (GRA) are offered by The Simons Foundation and the International Security Research and Outreach Programme (ISROP) of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT). The primary objective of the Graduate Research Awards is to enhance Canadian graduate level scholarship on disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation issues.
A total of eight (8) awards of Cdn$3,000 will be available to Masters and/or Doctoral students to support the research and writing of short position papers that will be presented in a debate format at the Graduate Research Awards (GRA) Debates in Ottawa hosted by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT). Awards include travel support to Ottawa (domestic transportation, accommodation, and meals) where successful candidates will be required to present their completed position papers in the form of a one-to-one debate during a special event at DFAIT in March 2012.
Deadline for applications: November 30, 2011
Selection of short-list candidates: December 21, 2011
Deadline for position papers: January 20, 2012
Selection of 8 award recipients: February 17, 2012
HOW TO APPLY: Complete applications should be sent to Elaine Hynes at The Simons Foundation by email to: elaine_hynes@sfu.ca by the close of business (PST) on November 30, 2011. Hard copies of official transcripts and other documents may be sent to follow by mail to the attention of Elaine Hynes at The Simons Foundation.
Your application must include:
- An introductory letter of interest that supports your candidacy for the GRA programme
- A writing sample (up to 1,000 words) that addresses non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament (NACD) issues
- Your resume, including proof of citizenship status
- A complete, official transcript of your grades
- A letter of reference* from your supervisor
- A second letter of reference*
*Letters of reference may be scanned and sent by email but should be shown on letterhead and bear the writer's signature
ELIGIBILITY: Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents/landed immigrants are eligible to apply. Previous recipients of a Graduate Research Award are eligible to apply, but priority will be given to students who have not already participated in the programme in order to expand the community of Canadian scholars working on NACD issues.
SELECTION PROCESS: Following the initial review of applications, 16 candidates will be short-listed for further consideration. Applicants will be advised by December 21, 2011 if they have been selected as one of the 16 short-listed candidates. Each of the 16 short-listed candidates will be assigned one of the four pre-determined debate topics (see below) and will be required to research and write, individually and independently, a 1,000 word position paper arguing in favour or against, as instructed. Reading lists for each topic will be provided, along with a position paper template. Position papers must be submitted by January 20, 2012.
The 8 students whose position paper is deemed to make the strongest argument for their assigned position will be notified by February 17, 2012 and will each receive a cash award of Cdn$3,000. GRA
DEBATES: Award winners will be required to debate their positions at the GRA Debates hosted by DFAIT in Ottawa in March 2012. At the debates, additional monetary awards of $2,000 will be presented to the 2 students who make the most effective arguments in support of their positions. The debates will be subject to Chatham House Rule and a report of the GRA Debates, including the position papers presented, will be published online by The Simons Foundation.
Please note that attendance at the GRA Debates is a mandatory requirement of the award. Domestic travel, accommodation and meal expenses will be provided by ISROP, in accordance with Government of Canada Treasury Board Guidelines.
2011-2012 GRA DEBATE TOPICS (positions will be assigned to the short-listed candidates)
1. Nuclear Disarmament
Arguments in Favour and Against: "Be it resolved that the provisions of Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) have not been met."
2. Verification and Implementation
Arguments in Favour and Against: "Be it resolved that, in spite of limited resources, the IAEA should apply the same safeguards verification efforts in all countries, rather than focus its efforts on those known to be in non-compliance."
3. Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT)
Arguments in Favour and Against: "Be it resolved that to advance a negotiations process and build consensus on the terms of a future Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT), the FMCT should be negotiated outside of the Conference on Disarmament (CD)."
4. Space Security
Arguments in Favour and Against: "Be it resolved that the weaponization of space is inevitable. If yes, explain why; if not, how is it best avoided?
Awards are offered by The Simons Foundation and the International Security Research and Outreach Programme (ISROP) of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT)
Disclaimer: The views and positions expressed through the GRA programme are intended to stimulate academic debates as part of an annual youth education partnership jointly organized by The Simons Foundation and ISROP; the themes do not necessarily reflect the views of The Simons Foundation, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada or the Government of Canada.