Vanier Preliminary Assessment Form (PAF)

Supporting Information

It is recommended that you review this information ahead of completing the Vanier Preliminary Assessment Form (PAF) to ensure you are aware of what each section is looking for and where to address certain points accurately

Instructions for completing the Vanier PAF

Part 1: Personal and Academic Information
Part 2: Time in Program Eligibility
Part 3:  Academic History
Part 4: Awards and Other Recognitions
Part 5: Description of Leadership (potential and demonstrated ability) and Communication Skills
Part 6: Publications, Conferences, Presentations, Other Forms of Knowledge Transfer
Part 7: Other Relevant Information


General Information:

Review the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships website for Eligibility - Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
Full applications are evaluated and selected on 3 criteria weighted equally:

  1. Academic Excellence
  2. Research Potential
  3. Leadership (Potential and Demonstrated Ability)


Steps for completing and submitting the application

There are 7 sections of the Vanier PAF. All sections must be completed successfully for your application to be considered.
Only students who have been successful at the PAF stage will be invited to apply to the main competition.

Part 1: Personal and Academic Information

  • If you do not currently have a supervisor, you can leave the supervisor’s name box blank.  You should contact your Graduate Program Director to discuss your application as the program is required to write a nomination letter to accompany your full application if you are successful at the PAF stage.
  • The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are offered through three federal (national government) research funding agencies.  Collectively these granting bodies are referred to as the Tri-Agencies (or Tri-Councils).  Each agency offers scholarships based on their priority area of research. Select the research agency which aligns closest to your research area.  Consult with your supervisor and/or your program if unsure.
  • If successful at the PAF stage, you will be invited to submit a full application. Your application will be adjudicated by a committee specific to the funding agency. 

Part 2: Time in Program Eligibility

  • Review the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships website for Eligibility - Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships
  • Months in program are calculated from the beginning of the entering term: January, May, July, or September
  • When calculating total number of months of graduate studies include ALL time registered in graduate studies whether you received any credentials or not.
  • ALL prior doctoral-level studies started in Canada or abroad, are considered in the evaluation of eligibility

Part 3: Academic History

  • List ALL post-secondary institutions you have attended regardless of whether you received any credentials. 
  • Include current/upcoming University of Calgary programs even if no grade is assigned.

Part 4: Awards and Other Recognitions

  • Sources of funds:
    • Federal - national government funding
    • Provincial – regional/state/territorial/district/sectoral/zonal government funding
    • University – Institutional awards
    • Non-Profit – funds from a charity or research organisation to support your studies
    • Other – any funds that would not be categorised in the other areas
  • For multiyear scholarships indicate the value of the scholarship stipend received per year

Part 5: Description of Leadership (potential and demonstrated ability) and Communication Skills

  • In this section of the PAF you should take the opportunity to provide information to the reviewers of your leadership strengths.  Check the Vanier Application / Nomination Instructions for information on what should be included in this section. 
  • Please note the following:
    • “Leadership can take many forms. Be sure to outline not just your accomplishments, but how those accomplishments required you to leverage your leadership skills to achieve your goals.
    • When outlining leadership in volunteerism, excellence in sports or the arts, employment in Leadership positions, and other areas, be sure to outline how you have gone above and beyond the expected norms to overcome obstacles, foster others, spearhead change, or otherwise demonstrate leadership. 
    • The selection committee does not consider simply participating in sports, arts, volunteering, and employment in leadership positions as demonstrating Leadership in and of themselves.”

Part 6: Publications, Conferences, Presentations, Other Forms of Knowledge Transfer

Part 7: Other Relevant Information

Use this section to provide information about special circumstances that may have affected your research, professional career, record of academic or research achievement or completion of degrees.  For example:

  • Describe interruptions to your academic career or leaves of absence and reasons for choice of nominating institution (which may include administrative responsibilities, maternity/parental leave, childrearing, illness, disability, cultural or community responsibilities, socio-economic context, trauma and loss, or health-related family responsibilities
  • Describe additional training taken outside of a degree-granting program, relevant work experience, co-ops and internships, etc.
    • Part-time studies should be outlined in this section. If you have been enrolled part-time during your PhD studies, specify which semesters. The information must be reflected in the transcripts.
  • Describe if you are registered in a joint program (e.g., MD/PhD, MA/PhD), provide a timeline of your undergraduate/graduate versus doctoral program studies, broken down by semester. This calculation must be consistent with the transcripts provided. For purposes of this calculation, the undergraduate/graduate portion will not count towards the number of months completed.