Management Action Plan to 2020 Vanier CGS Evaluation Recommendations

1. The Vanier CGS program needs to change its current objectives and/or design and delivery model in order to more effectively attract top doctoral students to Canada and retain top domestic students in Canada at time of application. Given the similar levels of achievement by recipients and applicants related to leadership opportunities, post-graduation retention and career outcomes, the changes to the Vanier CGS program need to be made with due consideration of other federal doctoral scholarship programs.

Agree

The Vanier Banting Secretariat will lead the assessment of the purpose and design of the Vanier CGS program in coordination with the ongoing CRCC Tri-Agency Training Strategy initiative being led by NSERC, and in alignment with the broader suite of federal research training award programs. In collaboration with NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR, the VBS will implement the changes required to effectively meet the program’s objectives established as a result of this Tri-Agency initiative.

Associate Vice-President, Research Programs/Operations, Canadian Institutes of Health Research supported by Vice-President Programs at NSERC

FY 2023-24

(Will align with timelines for the CRCC Tri-Agency Training Strategy initiative)

2. In light of evaluation findings and the Tri-Agency Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, the Vanier CGS program should examine the nature and extent of EDI barriers, including GBA+ analysis, related to the potential biases associated with the leadership selection criteria, the nomination process, and the selection of international doctoral students in order to more equitably assess and select Vanier recipients

Agree

Given the challenges with assessing leadership, review options for assessing leadership that go beyond clarifying its definition in order to ensure an equitable adjudication of both national and international candidates.

Pending the CRCC Tri-Agency Training Strategy initiative of research training programs review, the VBS will undertake an examination of the potential EDI barriers in the design and delivery of the Vanier CGS program. The examination will include a GBA+ analysis of the program and its entire competition process (nomination, application and selection processes) to identify potential barriers faced by applicants, with a focus on applicants from underrepresented groups.

Associate Vice-President, Research Programs/Operations Supported by Chief Audit & Evaluation Executive / Director General, Office of Audit and Evaluation Canadian Institutes of Health Research

FY 2023-24

(Will align with timelines for the CRCC Tri-Agency Training Strategy initiative)