Graduate Research Awards for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation 2010-2011

CLOSED FOR APPLICATIONS - Selection of Award recipients will be announced on January 7, 2011.

Graduate Research Awards for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation 2010-2011 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.

Eight (8) awards of Cdn$5,000.00 are 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) Consultations hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT). Awards include travel support (domestic transportation, accommodation, and meals) to Ottawa where successful candidates will be required to present their completed position papers in the form of a one-to-one debate during a special consultation at DFAIT in Winter, 2011.

 Deadline for applications:   October 18, 2010
 Short-list of 16 candidates:   November 22, 2010
 Deadline for position papers:   December 10, 2010
 Selection of 8 award recipients:    January 7, 2011
 

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications must include:

• A letter of interest that supports your candidacy for the GRA program
• A writing sample (1,000 words) that addresses NACD issues
• Resume, including citizenship status (Canadians and Canadian Landed Immigrants are eligible)
• Complete official transcripts of grades
• A letter of reference from your supervisor
• A second letter of reference

Complete applications must be received by close of business on October 18, 2010 and may be sent by e-mail to the attention of Elaine Hynes at The Simons Foundation:   elaine_hynes@sfu.ca

SELECTION PROCESS:

Following the initial review of applications, 16 candidates will be short-listed for further consideration.  Applicants will be contacted by November 22, 2010 to advise if they have been selected as one of the 16 short-listed candidates.

Each of the 16 short-listed candidates will be assigned one the four debate topics (see below) and will be required to research and write, individually and independently, a 1,000 word position paper arguing for or against, as instructed.  Reading lists for each topic will be provided, along with a position paper template.  The position paper must be submitted by December 10, 2010.

The students whose position paper is deemed to make the strongest argument for and against each of the four debate topics will receive an award of Cdn$5,000.   Selection of the eight award recipients will be made by January 7, 2011.

GRA CONSULTATIONS AND DEBATE:

Award winners will be required to debate their positions at the GRA Consultations hosted by DFAIT in Ottawa in Winter, 2011.  The debates will be subject to the Chatham House Rule.  At the debates, additional monetary awards of $2,000 and $1,500 will be presented to the two students who make the most effective arguments in support of their position.  Winning position papers will be published by The Simons Foundation. 

Please note that attendance at the GRA Consultations is a mandatory requirement of the award.  Domestic travel, accommodation and meal expenses will be provided for by ISROP, in accordance with Government of Canada Treasury Board Guidelines.

Successful award recipients will be notified by January 7, 2011.

DEBATE QUESTIONS FOR THE 2010 GRA CONSULTATIONS IN OTTAWA, HOSTED BY ISROP/DFAIT:

• Should nuclear capabilities remain an essential element of NATO’s defence strategy?

• Should the Biological Weapons Convention Review Conference in 2011 revive the verification debate or focus instead on compliance?

• In accordance with Canadian NACD policies, should Canada support the multilateralization of nuclear fuel cycle as a non-proliferation measure?

• In order to be both effective and enforceable, should the scope of an Arms Trade Treaty be broad or narrow?