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Student participation in the COSPAR Scientific Assembly 2010
Do you seek a unique and challenging learning experience? Are you ready to present your space science-related research to members of the space community? If your answer is yes to either of these two questions, the 38th COSPAR Scientific Assembly in Bremen, Germany is the place to be!
Invitation letter for Canadian student participation
Dear Canadian Student,
In 2010, Canada will once again support student participation in the COSPAR Scientific Assembly.
This Assembly is an excellent meeting point for all space science experts, providing students the opportunity to create many valuable contacts with professionals and like-minded students, both from within Canada and the world. Throughout the Assembly, students will interact with science professionals, learn from their expertise and listen to their views on the future of space science. While a Student Program will be incorporated into the Assembly student participation is also integrated into the technical portion of the Assembly bringing an appreciated element of youthful insight and energy into workshop and plenary sessions.
The 2010 COSPAR Assembly will be held July 18-25 in Bremen, Germany. Reflecting the Canadian Space Agency's commitment to encouraging the development of the next generation of space professionals, post-graduate students are invited to submit an abstract simultaneously to the Canadian Space Agency and to the technical Committee of COSPAR. A committee of Canadian Space Agency experts will rate the abstracts submitted. Those that receive a passing score at CSA and are selected for oral or poster presentation by the COSPAR technical Committee will be considered for subsidy funding from the Canadian Space Agency on a priority basis.
It is a great pleasure to invite you on behalf of the Canadian Space Agency and COSPAR to the 38th COSPAR Scientific Assembly.
For more information regarding Assembly registration, terms of participation and subsidy funding applications, please see the accompanying Web pages.
We hope to see many of you in Bremen next July!
General Program Information
In 2010, the CSA will subsidize Canadian university student attendance and organize a student program in collaboration with other space agencies from around the world as part of the COSPAR 2010 Assembly.
The students who attend the Assembly participate in the numerous technical sessions and networking events, interact with top space science professionals and meet like-minded students from around the world. On top of all this, students are given the chance to present their own research to the space community. If you are a Canadian student, have a keen interest in space, and would like to take part in this year's Assembly, then now is the time to start preparing your application. The deadline to submit your application to the CSA is January 15, 2010. All abstracts that are accepted by the CSA must be submitted to the COSPAR technical committee by February 19, 2010. CSA subsidies are limited to 20 students. So send your completed application in as soon as possible!
Who will the CSA subsidize?
The CSA will subsidize up to 20 Canadian students, providing funding to help defray a portion of travel costs to Bremen, assembly registration fees, meals and accommodations. Any costs incurred beyond the amount of the subsidy are the responsibility of the student.
If you have any questions, please have a look at the FAQ. If you still have questions, don't hesitate to contact us at jason.clement@asc-csa.gc.ca.
Terms of Participation
Term 1.
The Student Participation Program application consists of two elements:
- I. A completed subsidy application form submitted by mail, which includes:
- Proof that you are a current student as of the time of the assembly
- Proof that you are a Canadian citizen
- II. The submission of an abstract of your scientific/technical project/paper endorsed by a professor/teacher.
Term 2.
Canadian Citizens who are current undergraduate or graduate students are eligible to apply.
Term 3.
Applications processed:
- Only fully completed subsidy applications with all relevant documentation will be processed,
- Subsidy applications must be completed using the downloadable form and must be submitted by mail to:
COSPAR 2010
Space Learning Program
Canadian Space Agency
6767 Route de l'Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec J3Y 8Y9 - Decisions by the CSA Student Participation Program Committee with regard to applications are final.
Term 4.
You must be enrolled as a current university/college student at the time of the congress.
Term 5.
Benefits under the CSA Student Participation Program include:
- Subsidy to be used to cover travel, registration, meals and accommodations.
- Full participation in the international student program as well as in Canadian-specific events held during the assembly.
Step-by-Step Application Procedure
Step 1 - Student Application
- Download and complete the subsidy (PDF document) application form. Send the completed application form, with proof of your student status, Canadian citizenship and your abstract (if applicable) to:
COSPAR 2010
Space Learning Program
Canadian Space Agency
6767 Route de l'Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec J3Y 8Y9Note that the application deadline to the CSA participation program is January 15, 2010, even though the deadline for COSPAR submission is February 19, 2010. This is to provide time for the CSA pre-selection.
Around the end of January, a list of short-listed students who have passed the CSA evaluation committee for abstract and subsidy review will be contacted by e-mail. All students are permitted to upload their abstracts to the COSPAR website, however only these students will be offered subsidies contingent on their abstract being accepted for oral or poster presentation. These students will have to upload their abstract themselves onto the COSPAR website. The CSA will forward recommendations to the COSPAR selection board, however please note that CSA recommendations are not guarantees of selection. All selections are at the discretion of COSPAR.
By mid-April, the selected participation to the assembly will be known.
Step 2 - Travel Precautions
- Insurance: We advise you to check if you are adequately insured for traveling and participating in this program. The CSA does not provide insurance.
If you have any questions, please have a look at the FAQ. If you still have questions, don't hesitate to contact us at jason.clement@asc-csa.gc.ca.
Useful Guidelines for Preparing Your Abstract
To prepare an abstract suitable for both the CSA Student Participation Program and for presentation in the COSPAR Technical Sessions, the following guidelines can be used.
- Abstracts must be between one-half and one full page in length approximately 300 to 400 words.
- Abstracts must be written in English.
- Do not include formulas, tables, or drawings in your abstract.
- Mandatory information to include on the abstract form:
- symposium and session
- title of the paper
Recommendations for better selection:
- Your abstract content should be:
- linked to space science and technology
- related to at least one of the COSPAR Sessions
- Your abstract body can be:
- results-oriented, lessons learned
- applicable knowledge, describing a technique, or sharing knowledge
Selecting the symposium and session for your abstract:
As part of the application procedure the abstract must be submitted in one of the COSPAR 2010 Technical Sessions. The sessions can be found in the Scientific Program Overview section of the COSPAR 2010 website at www.cospar-assembly.org/.
If you have any questions, please read the FAQ. If questions remain, please contact jason.clement@asc-csa.gc.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the deadline for the application to the CSA Student Participation Program for COSPAR 2010?
The deadline to complete and submit your application is January 15, 2010.
Who can participate in the CSA Student Participation Program to COSPAR 2010?
The program is open for all University students who are Canadian citizens.
When does the Congress take place?
The 38th COSPAR Scientific Assembly will take place July 18-25, 2010.
When do I have to arrive?
You should arrive in Bremen, Germany, sometime by July 16 and depart no earlier than July 26.
Where does the Congress take place?
The 38th COSPAR Scientific Assembly will take place in the Fair and Congress Center Bremen in Bremen, Germany.
Where do I find information about the technical sessions (conferences) during the Assembly?
Please visit the Scientific Program Overview of the COSPAR 2010 website for more information and COSPAR Technical Sessions.
What about transportation?
You must arrange your own transportation to and from, as well as in and around, Bremen.
Where will I stay? What about food and who pays for it?
A special group rate for hotels has been secured at a variety of hotels by the Local Organizing Committee. Accommodations are situated close to the assembly and the centre of town. However students are responsible for paying for accommodations and meals during their stay in Bremen.
How are the students selected?
The CSA Student Participation Program Committee will select students:
- among the fully complete applications
- based on the variety of themes of the personal works
- and based on the quality of the abstract
Decisions by the CSA Student Participation Program Committee are final.
When and how will I know whether I have been selected?
As soon as the CSA's preliminary evaluation is complete by the end of January 2010, all applicants who have satisfied the CSA's evaluation committee criteria will be contacted by e-mail. These students will have been pre-authorized for subsidy funding contingent on their abstract being accepted for oral or poster presentation by COSPAR. The definitive list of CSA subsidized students will be posted at the end of April, after COSPAR selection and a second round of CSA selection.
