Canadian Student Participation in Space Conferences and Training Events
On this page
- Key Information
- 1. Introduction
- 2. AO Objective
- 3. Eligibility criteria
- 4. How to apply
- 5. Evaluation process
- 6. Service standards
- 7. Financing and eligible costs
- 8. Grant Agreement
- 9. Confidentiality
- 10. Additional information
- 11. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- Appendix A: List of eligible conferences, workshops and other events
- Appendix B: Reference Letter Format
Announcement of Opportunity (AO)
Key Information
Eligible recipients: Canadian post-secondary students
Type of transfer payments: Grants
Maximum amount per funding request: $5,000
Estimated total amount of the AO (over six years, from to ): $1,255,000
Application Deadline(s): Various deadlines. Please see application deadline details in Appendix A.
1. Introduction
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is committed to inspiring the next generation of Canadians to reach for the stars. In , the Government of Canada released "Exploration, Imagination, Innovation: A Space Strategy for Canada" which laid out the CSA's commitment to support the development of highly qualified personnel to sustain Canada's position in the global space market.
Student participation in national and international conferences and training events provides opportunities for Canadian students to present and validate their research at the highest professional level and to participate in valuable training opportunities, contributing to positioning the Canadian space sector at the forefront of space science and technology advancement. These opportunities are key in developing a strong professional network that will build the foundation of future collaborations in major space endeavours.
As a cooperating member state of the European Space Agency (ESA), Canada has access to ESA's Education Program, which offers a vast portfolio of activities for different age groups – from primary school to PhD level. Canadian post-secondary students can apply to participate in ESA Academy learning opportunities, providing a valuable experience to equip them with the skills and competencies for success in Canada's space sector.
Applicants must read the following AO thoroughly before submitting their applications. This AO was prepared to help applicants complete the application process and outlines key elements, including mandatory criteria for eligibility, details on eligible applications, and the selection process. In the event of any discrepancies between this AO and the individual funding agreements, the latter document(s) will take precedence.
This Announcement of Opportunity (AO) is consistent with the terms and conditions of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology – Awareness and Learning Component.
2 AO Objective
The objective of this AO is to support Canadian students to participate in national and international space conferences and training events that will offer them the opportunity to learn about and be involved in the latest developments in space science and technology, to develop their professional network, and in some cases, present their research results at the national and international level.
3. Eligibility criteria
In this section 3
3.1 Eligible Recipients
To be eligible for a grant under this AO, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- be enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution at the college, undergraduate, master's or doctoral levels at the time of the event.
Applications received from student teams will be rejected. All applications must be from individuals.
3.2 Eligible Events:
To be eligible, all grant applications must be submitted by an eligible applicant for an event that meets the following conditions:
- A funding request that falls under one of the following categories:
- Category A: National or international space conferences, workshops and fora. The list of eligible events can be found in Appendix A. Applications submitted for events other than those listed in Appendix A will be rejected.
- Category B: European Space Agency (ESA) Education activities. Eligible applicants applying under this category must be selected by ESA for the learning activity. Please see Appendix A for more details.
- The funding request must be for an in-person participation.
The CSA will change the list of events in Appendix A periodically.
3.3 Links to CSA Priorities:
The CSA supports the Canadian space sector to remain at the forefront of the new and evolving space environment. A steady pipeline of highly skilled workers is critical to sustaining Canada's leadership in a globally competitive space economy and unlocking the space sector's full potential. The CSA is committed to equipping Canadians with the information and tools they need to take full advantage of the growth of the space sector and to excel in these jobs of the future.
3.4 Links to the Class G&C Program Objectives:
Applications submitted under this AO must include elements that contribute to fostering the continuing development of a critical mass of highly qualified people in Canada in areas relevant to the priorities of the CSA.
4. How to apply
In this section 4
The applicant must read the following section carefully and follow all the steps indicated in order to ensure their application is completed and submitted successfully.
It is important to note that neither hand-delivered applications nor e-mailed applications will be accepted. In the event that an applicant submits their application more than once, only the latest version received will be considered.
The onus is on the applicant to ensure that their application is complete and that all documents, including the reference letter (if it is being sent separately), are uploaded or received by the CSA within the prescribed deadline (deadlines stated for each event in Appendix A). After the deadline, CSA has no obligation to proceed with the evaluation and funding process. Incomplete or late applications may be refused.
4.1 Required Documentation
A complete application must contain the following:
- A completed application form (details in section 4.2) signed by the applicant. Electronic or scanned signatures will be accepted, however applicants must keep a hard copy of the original signed application form, as the CSA may require the original documents at a later date;
- A copy of the applicant's proof of citizenship (such as a Canadian passport) or permanent resident card;
- Proof of the student's enrolment in a post-secondary Canadian institution at the time they submit the application (e.g. letter of attestation from the post-secondary institution, etc.);
- The applicant's curriculum vitae.
- A reference letter (this template may be used) from a professor that holds a faculty position at a Canadian post-secondary institution that supervised the applicant and/or their research. (please refer to Appendix B of this AO for more detailed information);
- For Category A: a copy of the applicant's abstract submitted to the conference for an oral or poster presentation and a document confirming the acceptance or refusal of the applicant's abstract (if applicable).
4.2 Submitting the application
In order to submit your application, please follow these steps:
- Request the creation of an account by clicking on the Electronic Proposal Portal, ensuring that this is done at least 3 weeks before the application deadline for the event that you wish to attend (see application deadline dates in Appendix A). Please note that supported browsers are Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. You will then need to follow these steps to create your account:
- In the "Proposal title" field, please use the following naming convention: CATEGORY A or CATEGORY B - EVENT NAME - APPLICANT LAST NAME, APPLICANT FIRST NAME.
- In the "Organization" section, under "Type", please ensure to select "I don't represent an organization (individual)".
- Allow up to 48 hours for the CSA to send you an email confirming your account creation as well as instructions (User Guides) and the appropriate links, including the link to the online application form.
- Using the password assigned to you by the CSA, access and complete the online application form. Please note that you may save the information entered and return at a later date, if required, but that you must finish the entire application process by the application deadline date for the event for which you are applying.
- Once you have completed the electronic application form, be sure to print a PDF before you click "submit".
- Sign the copy of your application form (electronic signature accepted) and combine it with the other required documentation into a single PDF-formatted file (searchable PDF (PDF/A-1a or PDF/A-2a formats preferred), with all security features disabled) and in the same order as listed in section 4.1 , with the only exception being the reference letter, which may be e-mailed separately by the professor (please see Appendix B of this AO for more detailed information). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their submitted PDF file is accessible.
- Submit the completed application package electronically by logging into the secure portal to upload protected documents, using the password assigned to you by the CSA. Please refer to the User Guide for instructions on how to securely upload your documents.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Applicants are encouraged to create their account as soon as possible, as technical issues may arise. Applicants are encouraged to upload their complete application well before the submission deadline (deadlines for each event can be found in Appendix A). Please also see general instructions in section 4 regarding the application process.
The applicant must keep a copy of all the original application documents except for the reference letter.
5. Evaluation process
In this section 5
5.1 Eligibility
The CSA will firstly proceed with the applications' eligibility assessment to verify whether it complies with the eligibility criteria listed in Section 3 of the AO. Only applications that have passed the eligibility assessment will be given further consideration.
5.2 Evaluation Criteria
Only applications that have passed the eligibility assessment listed in Section 5.1 will be given further consideration.
Once the eligibility criteria are confirmed, the CSA's evaluators will assess the screened applications according to the criteria presented in Table 1 below. Applicants shall provide the required documents, as indicated in the "Evidence" column and outlined in Section 4 of the AO, to demonstrate how each evaluation criterion is met. Only applications that obtain a total minimum score of 70% will be given further consideration.
| Criteria (weighting %) |
Evidence | Description | Definition | Poor | Average | Good | Excellent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Points: 100 | |||||||
Relevance of the applicant's experience, skills and education to the Canadian space sector (60%) |
|
Academic and professional background |
Relevance of the professional and academic background of the applicant to the space sector. |
0 | 15 | 25 | 30 |
Skills |
Leadership and networking skills as well as the applicant's ability to work effectively in a team. |
0 | 20 | 30 | 40 | ||
Awards and achievements |
Awards and achievements that demonstrate the applicant's commitment to excellence in their field of study or interests pertinent to the space sector. |
0 | 15 | 25 | 30 | ||
Maximum Points: 100 |
|||||||
Relevance of the applicant's interests and career goals to the space sector (40%) |
|
Aspirations and career goals |
The applicant's aspirations regarding the pursuit of a career in a space-related discipline or in a discipline the space sector could benefit from in the future. |
0 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
Expectations in relation to the activity or event |
The applicant's objectives for attending the event and how they will use the knowledge or skills gained in relation to their career goals. |
0 | 40 | 60 | 80 | ||
Notes:
- The overall score, which is the total of the scores for each of the criteria, will be used to establish a ranking of applications for each event.
- The CSA may, at its discretion, reject any application that fails the evaluation.
5.3 Evaluation Process
For the final selection, the CSA will first consider the applicants having the highest final scores, evaluated as per criteria in section 5.2. In each category, priority may be given to:
For all Categories:
- Applicants from underrepresented populations. CSA encourages applicants to indicate, on a voluntary basis, if they belong to one or more of the four following groups: women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. Please visit this site for a complete definition of each group.
For Category A:
- Applicants whose abstract or presentation (or panel participation) has been selected by the conference's selection committee (including as a back-up) and who have not previously been funded directly by the CSA to attend a conference.
Depending on budget availability, the CSA will then also consider: - Applicants whose abstract or presentation (or panel participation) has been selected by the conference's selection committee (including as a back-up) and who have previously been funded directly by the CSA to attend a conference.
Depending on budget availability, the CSA will then also consider: - Applicants whose abstract or presentation (or panel participation) has not been selected by the conference's selection committee and who have not previously been funded directly by the CSA to attend a conference.
For Category A, applicants may submit co-authored abstracts to receive a grant; however, the CSA will offer just one grant per abstract for the same conference.
For Category B:
- Applicants selected by ESA who have never been directly funded by the CSA to attend an ESA activity;
- Applicants selected by ESA who have never been directly funded by the CSA to attend an event.
While eligible recipients may submit co-authored abstracts as part of their application package, the CSA will offer just one grant per abstract for the same event.
Before a final decision is made, the CSA's Selection Board responsible for this AO may seek input and advice from other organizations and/or experts.
In the final selection, the CSA could also take into consideration factors such as a balanced distribution of grants across Canada.
Please note that the results of this AO evaluation committee are final. Due to the large number of applications, the CSA will not provide feedback on any application received under this AO.
6. Service standards
Applicants will be notified by email of decisions regarding their application. The CSA has set the following service standards for application processing times:
Acknowledgement: the CSA's objective is to acknowledge the receipt of the applications within one (1) week following receipt of the application.
Decisions: the CSA's objective is to respond within ten (10) weeks following the application deadline date and to send the grant agreements to selected applicants for signature within three (3) weeks following the notice of decision.
Payment: the CSA's objective is to issue the payment within three (3) weeks from the date of receipt of the funding agreement signed by the applicant.
Meeting these service standards is a shared responsibility. Applicants must submit all required documentation in a timely fashion. These service standards have been set as a maximum processing time; the actual notification times may be shorter.
7. Financing and eligible costs
In this section 7
7.1 Available Funding
The maximum grant amount is:
- $5,000 for in-person attendance to activities under Category A
- $1,000 for in-person attendance to activities under Category B
The total budget for this AO should be sufficient to support approximately 60 students per year, until , to attend a variety of conferences and learning events.
Under the present AO, the CSA may limit the number of grants per recipient to two grants per Government of Canada fiscal year (from April to March) under Category A.
The CSA reserves the right to reject applications or to reduce the amount of a grant at its discretion.
7.2 Eligible Costs
The recipient must use the awarded grant to cover (partially or totally) the costs associated with the applicant's participation in the event. The funding should be used to cover the following expenses:
For all Categories:
- Accommodations and meal allowances;
- Registration fees to participate in the event; and
- Travel.
All other costs exceeding the CSA grant amount are entirely the recipient's responsibility. Applications with budgets considered to be inadequate or unreasonable will be rejected.
Applicants must complete section G of the Application Form with details regarding the requested funding for each eligible cost category.
8. Grant Agreement
In this section 8
8.1 Payment
The CSA and each successful applicant will sign a grant agreement. This condition must be met for the CSA to issue a payment.
Payment will be made in the form of a single payment, as indicated in the grant agreement that will be signed. Recipients undertake to inform the CSA in writing of any change in the conditions used to establish their eligibility for the grant.
8.2 Final report
The CSA will require that each recipient submit a report within 30 days following the end of the event using a template the CSA will make available in advance.
9. Confidentiality
The CSA will manage and protect information provided by applicants under the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act. By submitting personal information, the applicant consents to its collection, use and disclosure in accordance with the following Confidentiality Statement, which explains how information on applicants is handled.
By submitting an application, the applicant authorizes the CSA to undertake any consultation or verification, in particular but not exclusively with other government departments, agencies and organizations in order to obtain any useful information in assessing the application, and it agrees to have the contacted parties disclose any requested information.
This information is collected under the authority of the CSA Class G&C Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology - Awareness and Learning Component (ASC PPU 040). This information will be used for administrative purposes and for the evaluation of applications. Personal information (such as name, contact information and biographical information) will be stored for six years, then destroyed. Under the Privacy Act, any individual, upon request, may
- be given access to his/her/their data; and
- have incorrect information corrected or add a note.
Applicants shall also note that information related to the funding agreement will be publicly disclosed under Government of Canada legislation, policies and directives.
For additional information on privacy matters prior to submitting an application, please contact:
Office of Access to Information and Privacy
Canadian Space Agency
Tel.: 450-926-4866
Email: aiprp-atip@asc-csa.gc.ca
10. Additional information
Recipients are advised to contact their insurers (travel, medical, and others) in order to verify their coverage with respect to travel and participation in the selected event. The CSA provides no protection in this regard.
Recipients are also advised to ensure that they have in their possession all the documents required by hosting and transit countries.
It is the sole responsibility of the recipient to plan and book their travel arrangements.
11. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Should the need arise, it is up to applicants to obtain clarification regarding the requirements contained in this opportunity before applying.
For all questions, applicants must use this generic e-mail address: stim-stem@asc-csa.gc.ca. Questions and their answers will be posted on the CSA website under the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of this AO.
Question 1: If I have submitted an abstract for an oral or poster presentation, but have not yet received confirmation that it has been accepted, what should I indicate when filling out the application?
Answer 1: If the application date under this AO does not allow for applicants to obtain confirmation that their oral or poster presentation has been accepted because the confirmation by the selection committee is done at a later date, applicants must respond that their abstract has not been accepted in the application form.
However, two questions were added to the application form on , to allow applicants to indicate the date at which the abstract was sent and when they expect to receive confirmation. Applicants may therefore submit their abstract with their application and provide proof of the acceptance by email to stim-stem@asc-csa.gc.ca (using the same naming convention detailed in section 4.2 of this AO) as soon as they receive the abstract acceptance.
Question 2: If I have submitted an abstract for an oral or poster presentation, but have not yet received confirmation that it has been accepted, will I be disadvantaged during the evaluation of my application?
Answer 2: If the application date under this AO does not allow for applicants to obtain confirmation that their oral or poster presentation has been accepted because the confirmation by the selection committee is done at a later date, all applicants for that conference or event will be in the same situation and will therefore not be disadvantaged as opposed to other applicants for the same event.
Question 3: I am not a Canadian citizen, but I am studying at a Canadian post-secondary institution. Am I eligible for funding under this AO?
Answer 3: As specified in section 3.1 of the AO, only Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents are eligible for funding under this AO and they must be enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution at the time of the event.
Question 4: As a post-doctoral research fellow at a Canadian university, am I eligible to apply for funding under this AO?
Answer 4: As indicated in section 3.1 of this AO, Canadian citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution at the college, undergraduate, master's or doctoral levels at the time of the event are eligible to apply for funding under this AO. Post-doctoral research fellows are no longer eligible under this AO.
Question 5: Can I apply a second time for a grant to attend conferences and training events even though I have already received a grant this year?
Answer 5: As stated in section 7.1 of the AO, you may apply for more than one grant under this AO but the CSA may limit the number of grants to 2 grants per Government of Canada fiscal year (from April to March) per recipient for all activities under Category A. In addition, prioritization will be done according to the evaluation process outlined in section 5.3.
Question 6: I'm confused about the following requirement in section 4.1 Required Documentation: "Category A: a copy of the applicant's abstract submitted to the conference for an oral or poster presentation and a document confirming the acceptance or refusal of the applicant's abstract (if applicable)." Does this mean that to apply to attend a Category A conference, the applicant must be a presenter?
Answer 6: Applicants that would like to attend an eligible event under Category A do not need to present at the event. However, all applications will be evaluated as per the evaluation process outlined in section 5.3 of this AO. For certain activities under Category A, the presentation of an abstract may not be relevant, in which case the inclusion of an abstract and confirmation of the refusal or acceptance of the abstract may not be required.
Question 7: I have filled out the application form, but I don't see a button where I can upload my signed form and required documents. How do I upload the PDF with all the required documents listed in section 4.1 of the AO?
Answer 7: When applicants request an account creation, as detailed in the instructions in section 4.2, they will receive an email that contains 2 links; one link to the online application form and another link to the secure portal where the signed application form and other required documents listed in section 4.1 must be uploaded as one PDF document. It is therefore important that applicants carefully read the email they receive when they create their account and use the links provided in that email.
Question 8: I would like to apply for a grant to participate in an eligible activity listed under Category A in Appendix A, however the conference organizer has not yet opened registration for this activity or provided any information regarding the registration cost. What should I indicate in my application form?
Answer 8: It is strongly recommended that applicants wait until registration for the eligible activity has opened prior to submitting an application under the AO. Applicants are expected to include an accurate cost estimate of their participation for the CSA to determine the value of the grant. In addition (and if applicable), a copy of the applicant's abstract submitted to the activity organizer and a confirmation of the abstract's acceptance or refusal will be used by the CSA during the evaluation and selection process.
Question 9: If an applicant applies for funding to participate in two eligible but separate activities under the AO, will the applications be evaluated together or separately?
Answer 9: Applicants applying for funding for two eligible but separate activities under the AO must submit a separate application for each activity following the instructions outlined in section 4. The applications will then be evaluated separately by the CSA. As stated in section 7.1 of the AO, you may apply for more than one grant under this AO but the CSA may limit the number of grants to 2 grants per Government of Canada fiscal year (from April to March) per recipient for all activities under Category A. In addition, prioritization of grant recipients will be done according to the process outlined in section 5.3.
Question 10: When I connect to the secure portal, I can see documents that I had uploaded in the past for other CSA funding opportunities (as an individual and as a member of an organization). Will this cause issues when I submit my application under this AO?
Answer 10: No, this will not cause any issues. When you are ready to submit your application, simply ensure to upload your documents to the correct community (starting with "891") within the secure portal. Please refer to Step 4 of this User Guide for further instructions.
Question 11: I will be graduating from a Canadian post-secondary institution shortly prior to the space conference or training event in which I would like to participate. Given how soon before the event I will graduate, can an exception be made to the eligibility requirement stating that applicants must be enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution at the time of the event?
Answer 11: As stated in section 3.1, to be eligible for a grant under this AO, applicants must be enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution at the college, undergraduate, master's or doctoral levels at the time of the event. No exceptions can be made to this eligibility criterion.
Question 12: The eligibility requirements states that one must be enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution at the college, undergraduate, master's or doctoral levels at the time of the event. Are part-time students eligible to apply for a grant, or is this AO only open to full-time students?
Answer 12: Part-time students are eligible to apply for a grant as long as they meet all of the other eligibility criteria listed in section 3.1 of the AO.
Question 13: The eligible Category A event that I want to attend has several options for registration fees (early bird, regular registration, or late/on-site registration; member or non-member rates; student rates, etc.). There is also an additional fee to attend the event's networking gala. How should I estimate my registration fees in my application form?
Answer 13: The applicant should make every reasonable effort to register for the event at the lowest rate that is applicable to their circumstances at the estimated moment they will receive their grant. The additional cost for a networking gala or dinner is not eligible under the AO and should not be included in the funding request. The CSA reserves the right to reduce the amount of a grant at its discretion should they determine that the registration fee was overestimated.
Question 14: Section 4.1 of the AO indicates that a complete application must contain a reference letter from a professor that holds a faculty position at a Canadian post-secondary institution that supervised the applicant and/or their research. Since I have never been supervised by a professor, from whom should I obtain this letter?
Answer 14: If you have never been supervised by a professor while working on a research project, you may obtain a reference letter from a professor who (for example) taught a course you took or oversaw your participation in a student club or association.
Question 15: The eligibility requirements states that one must be enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution at the college, undergraduate, master's or doctoral levels at the time of the event. However, section 4.1 of the AO (Required Documentation) indicates that a complete application must contain proof of the student's enrolment at the time they submit the application. What proof of enrolment do I need to provide, and what if the event is in a different semester than when I apply?
Answer 15: Under the CSA's Class Grants and Contributions Program, eligible applicants must be enrolled in a post-secondary program at the time of the event. However, institutions may not be able to confirm enrolment in a future semester. We therefore request a proof of enrolment at the time of application. Applicants must also confirm in the application form that they will remain enrolled at the time of the event. This declaration can be supported by other indicators in the application package (e.g. anticipated graduation date, completed vs. remaining credits, current year in program, etc.).
- Scenario 1: If the application deadline and event fall within the same semester, proof of enrolment at the time of application is sufficient.
- Scenario 2: If the semesters differ, the CSA will assess eligibility using the submitted proof of enrolment along with additional information as outlined above.
The CSA accepts any reasonable proof of enrolment (e.g. attestation letter, unofficial transcript, etc.). Part-time students and those on scheduled breaks (e.g. during summer months) are eligible provided they meet all other criteria in section 3.1 of the AO. Upon signing the grant agreement, recipients must certify that they continue to meet eligibility requirements, and they may be asked to provide an updated proof of enrolment before the event. A recipient who fails to demonstrate ongoing eligibility may be required to repay their grant partially or in full.
Question 16: I realized that there is missing information in my application package, but the submission deadline has passed. Can I please send an updated document to be included in my file?
Answer 16: The CSA is committed to managing its grant programs with integrity, transparency, and accountability. To ensure a fair and impartial process for all applicants, we are unable to consider new information or documentation once the submission deadline has passed and the evaluation process is underway. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that their submission is complete and accurate before the deadline.
Question 17: I will not be enrolled in any courses at the time of the activity that I would like to attend, however my university can confirm my student status and that I am missing credits to graduate. Can I still be eligible for a grant under this AO?
Answer 17: If you are enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution at the college, undergraduate, master's or doctoral levels at the time of the event and you satisfy the other eligibility criteria in section 3.1 of the AO, you can still be eligible for a grant. Part-time students and those on scheduled breaks (e.g. during summer months, on work placements, awaiting deferred exams) are considered eligible provided that their proof of enrolment can confirm their student status. We suggest ensuring that your proof of enrolment contains clear information so that CSA can easily validate your status (e.g. anticipated graduation date, completed vs. remaining credits, current year in program, etc.).
Question 18: How many grants does the CSA award to students for each eligible event or activity?
Answer 18: As this is an open AO, the number of grants awarded per event is dependent on several factors including: number of applicants (including for other events), the total funding requested by each applicant, the number of grants awarded in the current fiscal year, the budget for the current fiscal year, and the overall remaining budget. The total budget for this AO should be sufficient to support approximately 60 students per year, until , to attend a variety of conferences and learning events.
Question 19: I recently applied for a grant to participate in an eligible event, and I am now preparing a second application for a different eligible event. Can I reuse the documents from my first application?
Answer 19: Applicants submitting multiple applications under this AO must provide a new application form, reference letter, abstract (if applicable), and proof of abstract acceptance (if applicable) for each event. However, the same proof of attestation may be reused if both applications are submitted within the same semester, as it serves to confirm current enrollment in a Canadian post-secondary program. The same proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residence can be reused, and the same CV may also be reused if there have been no relevant updates since the initial application.
Question 20: Am I eligible for a grant under this AO if I am an intern or co-op student at the CSA at the time of the event?
CSA interns or co-op students are eligible to receive grants under this AO so long as they are on leave without pay during the event (i.e. not in receipt of a salary, of travel expenses, or of any other indemnity). The applicant's supervisor at the CSA will be required to provide written confirmation of their leave without pay status prior to the issuance of a grant.
Question 21: Section 6 of the AO indicates that the CSA's objective is to announce selection decisions within ten (10) weeks following the application deadline date, however the eligible event for which I have requested funding is taking place before then. Will the CSA announce their decisions after the event has taken place?
In situations where the eligible event occurs before the ten-week service standard date for announcing decisions, the CSA will make every effort to announce decisions prior to the event start date.
Appendix A: List of eligible conferences, workshops and other events
In this section Appendix A
Category A: National or international space conferences, workshops and fora
(The CSA will periodically change the list below without notice)
| Conference Title | Application Deadline | Date of the event | Location (City, Country) | Conference description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
- |
Ottawa, ON, Canada |
The Canadian Space Conference is the flagship conference of SEDS-ÉEDS Canada, a national space industry non-profit that serves students and early-career. |
|
|
- |
Fredericton, NB, Canada |
DASP acts as the focal point for the Canadian space environment community with members spanning research domains from the Sun, Solar Wind, Magnetosphere, Ionosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, and Upper Stratosphere, as well as Theoretical and Experimental Plasma Physics and Radio Physics. The annual meeting brings together students and researchers from the Canadian solar-terrestrial physics community and beyond to discuss the latest breakthroughs in this field. The meeting includes a student workshop, teaching usable skills and knowledge to the next generation of space physics researchers. |
|
|
- |
Montreal, QC, Canada |
The Canadian CubeSat Conference is a technical conference offered under the Canadian CubeSat Network of SEDS-Canada. This 2-day in-person event aims to bring together CubeSat enthusiasts, students, alumni, and industry experts to share knowledge, showcase research and projects, and foster meaningful connections to strengthen the rapidly growing CubeSat ecosystem across Canada. |
|
|
- |
Didcot, United Kingdom |
The Ariel space telescope, to be launched at the end of this decade as part of the ESA Science Programme, is the first mission dedicated to the determination of the chemical composition and thermal structure of hundreds of exoplanets, enabling planetary science far beyond the boundaries of the Solar System. This conference will provide an overall summary of the Ariel's science, instrument and operations and present the many activities that the Ariel team have planned to engage the public and the science community at large. |
|
|
- |
The Woodlands, TX, USA |
LPSC is a defining event in planetary research, bringing together a diverse group of international experts in a truly collaborative environment. LPSC convenes the lunar and planetary science community to showcase the latest science, research, and discoveries in the field. |
|
|
- |
Munich, Germany |
Organised by ESA's Education Office, SSEA provides a forum for university students, professionals working in education, and other professionals in industry or agencies to present and discuss their experiences organising, running and/or participating in Educational Activities related to Space. Note: Only students who have not received an ESA or Technical University of Munich (TUM) scholarship to attend this event are eligible. |
|
|
- |
Colorado Springs, CO, U.S. |
Held in conjunction with the Space Symposium, SGFF is a multi-day, high-intensity, fast-paced professional development and networking event focused on the global space industry. Through breakout sessions, expert panels, keynote presentations, and speed networking, SGFF delegates will “fuse” their unique perspectives and backgrounds to formulate solutions to global problems of interest and importance to the space community. Note: Priority will be given to students who have not received a grant or scholarship from the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC). |
|
International Society for Gravitational Physiology (ISGP) Meeting |
|
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Cologne, Germany |
The ISGP Meeting promotes the exchange and dissemination of scientific knowledge concerning the biological and physiological effects of gravity, including increased or decreased gravity, on living organisms during spaceflight or space exploration. The ISGP's broad scientific scope covers cells, integrated physiological systems, and the behaviour and performance of humans, animals, and plants. |
International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) Summer School and ISPRS Congress |
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- (Summer School) - (Congress) |
Toronto, ON, Canada |
ISPRS welcomes researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders from around the globe to explore the latest advancements, trends, and applications in photogrammetry and remote sensing. The ISPRS Summer School will take place before the Congress. This five-day program will equip participants with cutting-edge knowledge and skills to leverage geospatial technologies for addressing climate change challenges. Students will participate in a group challenge and the winning team will be invited to present their solution at the ISPRS Congress. Note: Priority may be given to students participating in both the Summer School and Congress, and/or students whose papers were accepted for publication in the ISPRS Annals or Archives. |
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Denver, CO, USA |
The Annual Scientific Meeting program will feature presentations from diverse experts who will enhance the world's knowledge and understanding of the current challenges in Aerospace, Undersea, and Hyperbaric Medicine and demonstrate an impact on improving the health, safety, and human performance of those involved in aviation, space, clinical hyperbaric medicine, undersea and extreme environments. |
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Madison, WI, USA |
AbSciCon is a community-organized conference that provides a forum for reporting on new discoveries, sharing data and insights, advancing collaborative efforts and initiating new ones, planning new projects, and educating the next generation of astrobiologists. |
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Galveston, TX, USA |
This training includes a three-week virtual course followed by an in-person workshop. The goal of the course is to provide a basic introduction to and familiarization with the history of aviation, spaceflight, and the specialty of Aerospace Medicine. Topics include, but are not limited to: human physiology in aviation and spaceflight; human factors engineering concepts related to aviation and spaceflight; the role of Aerospace Medicine specialists in the selection, training, standards, medical certification, and health maintenance of aviation and spaceflight personnel. Note: Only final year physician students selected to participate in both the virtual course and the workshop are eligible. Funding under the AO will only cover costs related to the in-person workshop. |
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International Geo-science and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS) |
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Washington, D.C., USA |
The symposium aims to provide a platform for sharing knowledge and experience on recent developments and advances in geoscience and remote sensing technologies, particularly in the context of earth observation, disaster monitoring and risk assessment. IGARSS will examine the future Earth observation technologies for solving grand challenges faced by our Earth and society and promote collaborative global solutions using such technologies. |
Canadian Astronomical Society (CASCA) Graduate Workshop and Annual Meeting |
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(Graduate Workshop) - (Annual Meeting) |
Montreal, QC, Canada |
This meeting gathers more than 300 astronomers, students and researchers from across Canada and around the world for three days of cutting-edge science, innovation and collaboration. CASCA will focus on the future of astrophysics in the era of big data, artificial intelligence, and next-generation observatories. The Graduate Student Workshop gives graduate astronomers the chance to meet, connect and learn with one another before the start of the larger annual meeting, and includes presentations, panels and interactive workshops covering topics such as networking, careers inside and outside academia, scientific publishing, public outreach, proposal writing, and more. Note: Priority may be given to students participating in both the graduate workshop and meeting. |
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Montreal, QC, Canada |
Goldschmidt is the foremost annual, international conference on geochemistry and related subjects, organized by the Geochemical Society and the European Association of Geochemistry. |
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Florence, Italy |
COSPAR's objective is to promote scientific research in space on an international level, with emphasis on the exchange of results, information and opinions. In addition, COSPAR aims to provide a forum, open to all scientists, for the discussion of problems that may affect scientific space research. |
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Salt Lake City, UT, USA |
SmallSat brings together experts from the military, scientific and academic fields, and offers a world-class program focusing on the main challenges and opportunities facing the small satellite community today. |
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Rio Grande, Puerto Rico |
This conference focuses on the dissemination of technical and scientific information on topics related to humans living in space and working in extreme environments. The conference includes technical sessions, panel discussions, student poster competition and published proceedings. |
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International Astronautical Congress (IAC) , and International Space Education Board (ISEB) Student Program |
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Antalya, Turkey |
IAC is the International Astronautical Federation's (IAF) global space event representing an excellent gathering venue for all specialists within the space sector. The ISEB student program is designed to supplement and enrich students' experience at IAC, providing the opportunity to attend specialized events, presentations, panel sessions, and more. Selected students must participate in the ISEB student program, which begins on October 4 (arrival in Antalya by October 3 is mandatory). |
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Dates to come |
Alpbach, Austria |
Participants will be engaged in an in-depth learning experience, attending stimulating lectures on relevant aspects of space science and engineering, and working intensely within four groups to define and design a space mission under the supervision of noted scientific and engineering experts. Note: Only students selected to participate in the Summer School Alpbach are eligible. |
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Space Generation Congress (SGC) (Link to come) |
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Antalya, Turkey |
SGC is the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC)'s annual meeting in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications. University students and young professionals will gather for this three-day event to gain insights on space issues from the world's leading space organizations, and to share their opinions and perspectives concerning international space development. Note: Only students selected by SGAC to participate in SGC are eligible. Students who received a grant under this AO to attend the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) may also apply, however flight costs will not be considered an eligible expense. |
Annual Meeting and Symposium of the Antenna Measurement Techniques Association (AMTA) |
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Austin, TX, USA |
AMTA is the premier conference dedicated to the development and dissemination of theory, best practices and applications of antenna, radar signature and other electromagnetic measurement technologies. |
Canadian Stratospheric Balloon Experiment Design Challenge (CAN-SBX) Final Campaign |
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Dates to come (Summer ) |
Timmins, ON, Canada (tentative) |
CAN-SBX is a competition for Canadian post-secondary students to design and test a small scientific experiment to fly on board a high-altitude balloon. Selected students will attend the launch campaign and participate in launch operations, flight tracking, and payload recovery. Note: Only students belonging to teams selected by SEDS Canada to participate in the final campaign are eligible. |
Canadian Reduced Gravity Experiment Design Challenge (CAN-RGX) Final Campaign |
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Dates to come (Summer ) |
Ottawa, ON, Canada (tentative) |
CAN-RGX is a competition for Canadian post-secondary students to design and test a small scientific experiment on board the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Falcon 20, which has been modified for reduced gravity flight. Selected students will attend the final launch campaign and participate in in-flight operations and data collection. Note: Only students belonging to teams selected by SEDS Canada to participate in the final campaign are eligible. |
Category B: European Space Agency (ESA) Education Activities
ESA Education learning opportunities are available on the European Space Agency (ESA) site. These opportunities are available at different times of the year (portfolio of training sessions). Eligible applicants may submit an application under this AO for Category B at any time while this AO remains open and as long as the application is submitted at least 7 weeks (49 days) before the learning activity occurs. The CSA cannot guarantee that grants will be awarded for applications sent after this deadline.
Eligible applicants applying under this category must be selected by ESA for the learning activity. However, applicants do not have to be selected by ESA at the time they submit their application, as this step is coordinated between the space agencies.
Appendix B: Reference Letter Format
The reference letter must not be longer than 1,000 words and must be written by a professor that holds a faculty position at a Canadian post-secondary institution that supervised the applicant and/or their research. It should include factual examples that demonstrate how the applicant meets the evaluation criteria presented in section 5.2 of the AO. It is recommended to use this reference letter template. If the template is not used, please ensure that the following information is included in the reference letter:
- The amount of time the professor has known and/or supervised the applicant and in what context.
- Clear and factual examples demonstrating how that the applicant's work stands out and surpasses expectations.
- Clear and factual examples that demonstrate the applicant's strong leadership skills.
- Clear and factual examples that demonstrate the applicant's ability to network and work effectively in a team.
- How the learning opportunity will be of value to the applicant in terms of their career progression.
The reference letter must either be included in the PDF file that the applicant will submit, or be sent separately and electronically by the professor to the CSA at stim-stem@asc-csa.gc.ca (the email subject must respect the following naming convention: CATEGORY A or CATEGORY B - EVENT NAME - APPLICANT LAST NAME, APPLICANT FIRST NAME) before the application deadline date (please see Appendix A for details on application deadlines).