Student Participation Initiative - International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2017

Announcement of Opportunity

Publication date: February 3, 2017

Application deadline: May 12, 2017

1. Introduction

This year, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will be awarding grants to students wanting to attend the International Astronautical Congress (IAC). IAC is organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL). It is the largest space-related conference world-wide and selects an average of 1000 scientific papers every year. The upcoming IAC will be held September 25-29, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia.

This international Congress is billed as an excellent gathering point for all specialists in space sector. For students, it is an opportunity to forge valuable links with professionals and other students from all over the world who share their interests. Throughout the Congress, students will have a chance to discuss with professionals, learn from their expertise and listen to their vision of the future of space exploration. Students are full participants in the Congress, lending its workshops and plenary sessions a new energy and outlook that are greatly appreciated.

The IAC draws mainly students specializing in space-related disciplines. In recent years, however, many students from outside these disciplines, though in associated fields (e.g.: engineering, law, medicine), have taken part. For many students, the IAC is a motivating event inspiring them to pursue their studies in space-related disciplines and set their career goals accordingly.

The CSA intends to support a new group of students to give them the opportunity afforded by the Congress to learn more about the future of the great space adventure and participate during the IAC 2017 in specific activities organized by the CSA and other space agencies through the International Space Education Board (ISEB).

As part of its commitment to helping train the rising generation of space professionals, the CSA is inviting university students (undergraduate, master and doctoral) to apply. It is therefore our great pleasure to invite you to the 68th IAC on the theme of "Unlocking imagination, fostering innovation and strengthening security".

In addition, once selected for a grant, recipients will be offered the opportunity to participate in the Space Generation Congress (SGC) which will be held September 21-23, 2017, a few days before IAC 2017. SGC is the annual meeting of the Space Generation Advisory Council, which is a non-profit organisation developing networks amongst university students and young space professionals and, being in support of the United Nations Programme on Space Applications.

Students selected under this initiative may be offered internship opportunities at the CSA.

The eligibility criteria, the application process and the selection criteria are outlined hereinafter.

We hope to see many of you in Adelaide in September!

2. Eligibility criteria

To apply for the Student Participation Initiative, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
2. You must be enrolled in a full time program in a Canadian university at the time of the Congress;
3. You must be a student (undergraduate, master or doctoral) at the time of the Congress;
4. You must have submitted an abstract at IAC 2017.

3. How to apply

Follow these steps to submit your application for funding to the CSA's Student Participation Initiative.

1. Download and complete the grant application form;
2. Applications must contain the following:
   • Duly completed application form;
   • A copy of your proof of citizenship (such as a Canadian passport) or permanent resident card;
   • An attestation of student enrolment in fall 2017 semester;
   • A copy of your abstract/paper as submitted to IAF for the IAC 2017;
   • A copy of IAF's response to the status of your abstract/paper (acceptance or refusal);
   • A motivation letter with a maximum of 1000 words on what you expect to gain from attending the Congress (can be part of the application form or a separate document);
   • A reference letter from a professor (must be a separate document);
   • The printout of quotes for an economy class air fare;
   • A budget breakdown.
3. Applications must be mailed to the CSA at this address:

• Applications must be received by the CSA no later than noon (12 p.m. EDT), on May 12, 2017;
• Applications sent by e-mail will not be accepted;
• Incomplete applications will be rejected.

For more information on IAC 2017 and how to submit an abstract, consult the following websites: IAC 2017 - Congress Prospectus and IAC 2017 - Call for Abstracts.

4. Selection process and criteria

This section is aimed at evaluating the students' interest and experience in space-related disciplines, his/her expectations towards participating to the IAC 2017 and his/her interests and prospective career goals in space related discipline. It should be clearly demonstrated and detailed within the submitted documents.

Because of the limited funding available, priority will be given to:

1. Students that have their abstract selected by IAF for IAC 2017 who have not participated in IACs previous to 2017. If insufficient applications meeting the minimum score as described below are received, then;
2. Students that have their abstract selected by IAF for IAC 2017 who have taken part in previous IACs. If insufficient applications meeting the minimum score as described below are received, then;
3. Students whose abstract was not selected by IAF for IAC 2017 and who have not attended previous IACs.

The eligible proposals will be scored by members of an evaluation committee according to the criteria described in Table 1 following the priorities described above and will be selected in decreasing order based on the average scores.

All the evaluated criteria will be given a poor, good or exceptional score as described below:

Poor: Some key information required to be presented is missing and/or the information provided is ambiguous, not clear and/or not adequately supported by examples or facts.

Good: Notwithstanding some minor limitations in the completeness and validity of the information, the description of the element is well structured and convincing. Key messages are summarised and highlighted. Relevant examples and facts supporting the arguments are provided.

Exceptional: There is no missing relevant information. The arguments are explicitly presented and strongly convincing. All requested information is provided in a well-structured manner.

Description of the evaluated criteria

Quality of the motivation letter:

The motivation letter should describe in enough details

1. your experience in space-related disciplines,
2. what you expect to gain from attending the Congress,
3. how you consider yourself as a good candidate
4. how the information you are providing outlines your interests and prospective career goals in a space-related discipline.

Reference letter:

The reference letter from a professor should describe in enough details how your work as a student stands out. It should be supported by specific examples and facts that confirm your interest and experience in a space related discipline.

Quality of the abstract:

The abstract should be well structured, balanced, written in an understandable manner and related to the IAC 2017 topics.

Realism of the budget:

The budget should describe relevant expenses and cost saving approaches.

Please note that the results from the Student Participation Initiative evaluation committee are final.

5. Service standards

Applicants will be informed by e-mail concerning their grant application. Successful applicants will be notified by e-mail and posting on the CSA website. The CSA has drawn up service standards regarding deadlines for processing applications, in particular for acknowledgement, funding decisions and payment arrangements (see key dates).

Acknowledgement: the CSA's objective is to acknowledge applications within five (5) working days following the initiative closing date.

Decisions: the CSA's objective is to e-mail replies within ten (10) working days following the reception of applications deadline and, to send the grant agreements for signature within ten (10) working days following such replies.

Payment: the CSA's objective is to issue payments within twenty (20) working days of receiving the funding agreement signed by the student.

Adherence to these service standards is a shared responsibility. Applicants must provide all the required documents at the right time.

Key dates:

• May 12, 2017: Deadline for reception at the CSA of funding applications
• May 19, 2017: Deadline for acknowledgement of applications
• May 29, 2017: Date of disclosure of applicants selected for funding by CSA
• June 12, 2017: Date of mailing of funding agreements

6. Financing available and eligible costs

6.1 Participation in IAC 2017 and ISEB activities

The maximum amount for each grant is $5,000. The total budget for this Announcement of opportunity (AO) should be sufficient to support approximately ten (10) students. The CSA reserves the right to reject applications or to reduce the amount of a grant at its sole discretion.

The funds granted are subject specific limitations as described in Table 2. These funds should be used to cover part of or the main costs of travelling to and from Adelaide, the registration fees at the IAC, the lodging and subsistence expenses from September 23 to October 1, 2017. All costs over and above the CSA maximum grant of $5,000 will have to be assumed by the student.

Per diem for meals, incidentals and lodging (hotel) is for eight (8) days and eight (8) nights since you will be asked to participate in different activities organized by the ISEB one day prior to IAC 2017 and one day after the IAC 2017. As a CSA sponsored student, it is expected that you will participate in these activities, unless you would have provided appropriate justification. Transportation between the airport and the Conference Center will be provided by the organizers. Your budget will be evaluated as part of your application, please describe/justify adequately the amounts you are requesting.

6.2 Participation in SGC 2017

Once the application evaluation completed as described above, selected applicants (beneficiaries) will be offered a supplement of $1000 to their grant to participate in the SGC 2017, which will be held in Adelaide, from September 21 to 23, 2017. Applicant's participation in SGC is optional but will contribute greatly to develop their networks amongst other students and professionals. Interest to participate in SGC will have to be mentioned in the CSA application form of this AO.

For more information on SGC 2017, please consult the SGC 2017 website.

7. Grant agreements

The CSA and the successful applicants (beneficiaries) will sign a grant agreement. This condition must be met for the CSA to issue payment. Such agreement may include conditions to participate in specific networking activities organized by space agencies prior, during and after IAC.

Payment

Payment will be made in the form of a unique payment, as indicated in the signed grant agreement. Beneficiaries undertake to inform the CSA in writing of any change in the conditions used to establish their eligibility for the grant.

Final report

The CSA will require beneficiaries to produce a report upon their return from the IAC 2017, using the template to be provided by the CSA.

A budget section should also be included within the report in order to provide details about the paid fees related to eligible costs. This information will provide the CSA with valuable information to determine the maximum amount and number of grants for future AOs.

8. Confidentiality

The collected information will be used to evaluate and select applications. The CSA will comply with the federal government's Access to Information Act and Privacy Act in processing applications received. By submitting your personal information, you consent to its collection, use and disclosure in accordance with the following Confidentiality Statement, which explains how information on applicants is handled.

All necessary measures will be taken to protect the confidentiality of information provided by applicants. This information is gathered under the terms of the CSA's Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology (PPU040). Personal information will be kept in a CSA personal information bank for five years according to the retention schedule.

Applicants must acknowledge that for any agreement exceeding $25,000, details of the funding agreement (amount, whether grant or contribution, name of beneficiary and site of project) will be publicly accessible on the CSA's Internet site.

For more information on the Privacy Act or to access your personal information, contact:

9. Additional information

1. We advise you to contact your insurer to check whether you are covered for foreign travel and participation in the Congress. The CSA provides no protection in this regard.
2. Valid passport or visa. Please also check that you have in your possession all the documents needed (passport or visa) to enter Australia, and that they meet the country's conditions for admission. For more details, go to the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs Canada.
3. The Congress, its activities and workshops and the ISEB activities will mostly take place at the Adelaide Convention Centre or close to it.
4. You should plan your own local travel once there.
5. You are also responsible for your lodging while the CSA may provide a list of hotels that would be recommended to facilitate access to ISEB activities. Many hotels are located near the city centre and the location of activities.
6. Please go to the IAC 2017 official website for more information on the IAC technical program.

10. Frequently asked questions

Should the need arise; it is up to applicants to obtain clarification of the requirements contained in this initiative before applying.

For all questions, applicants must use this generic e-mail address: lecedessetc-thegandccoe@asc-csa.gc.ca. Questions and their answers will be posted on the CSA website under "Frequently Asked Questions". The CSA will answer questions received no later than 5 p.m. (EDT) on April 21, 2017.

Applicants are invited to apprise the CSA at any time of their comments or suggestions on this funding opportunity, the initiative or the process. Applicants may either use for their comments the generic email address or the generic web-based comments and suggestions box.