I am a (non-Canadian citizen) student studying outside of Canada. Do I qualify?

No. While you do not need to be a Canadian citizen, you must be currently enrolled in an accredited Canadian university of college, in a program that has an occupational health and safety component.

I am a Canadian citizen studying at occupational health and safety at a school outside of Canada. Do I qualify?

No. You must be currently enrolled in an accredited Canadian university or college. International schools do not qualify.

How do I know if my program fits the definition of 'occupational health and safety'?

If you are unsure as to whether or not your program qualifies, please email scholarship@ccohs.ca with a copy of your course description or syllabus. The Dick Martin Scholarship Award committee will review it and determine if it does qualify.

If I have been accepted into a program, but not currently enrolled in it, do I qualify?

No, you must be currently enrolled to qualify.

If I win, must I direct the money towards my tuition?

No, the scholarship award money can be used at your discretion. The award is not based on financial need.

Is it ok if my essay runs a little bit over the 1200 word count limit?

Essays must conform to the guidelines as stated on the website. Failure to do so will result in your application being disqualified.

Essay and Cover Letter will be judged on the following criteria:

Do I need to supply two reference letters?

You do not need to supply actual reference letters. The online application form only requires you to supply two reference names and their contact information. If you are selected as winner, the committee will contact your references to verify your information, before declaring you the winner.

Do I have to include footnotes in my essay?

Yes. If you reference a source, you must include a footnote indicating where the source originated. Footnotes do not count towards your overall essay word count.

To whom should I address my cover letter?

You can simply address it to the Selection Committee.

How is my submission evaluated?

Marks on the entire application package will be weighted as follows: Application – 15%, Letter– 25% and Essay – 60%.

The Essay will be evaluated based on:

Do you have any tips on how I can make my submission stand out?

Essays that stand out are ones that present theoretical knowledge and findings (statistics, studies, etc.) with practical knowledge (gained from work or personal experience) in an interesting, thought-provoking way.

Cover letters should clearly articulate why the applicant is interested in a career in occupational health and safety and how the Dick Martin Scholarship Award would assist them in furthering their career goals. Remember, the scholarship is not based on financial need, but rather a keen desire to help improve health and safety for workers.

When are the winners announced?

Two winners (one from a college and one from a university) will be announced in early May during North American Occupational Health and Safety (NAOSH) Week. Winners are notified by telephone or email. CCOHS will also issue a news release during NAOSH week with the names of the winners.

Are there any restrictions for the use of the $500 given to the academic institutions of the winners?

No. The schools can use the money at their discretion. Possible uses might include general bursary funds, upgrades to faculty equipment or resources, or donations to local charities.