A square kick to the academic testicles

So, I’ve found out that I didn’t get a SSHRC. My proposal was scored a 15.5 and it would have needed a score of 16.5 to have been in the money. I also found out I’m 11th in line (out of 36) just in case somebody who got funding doesn’t want it / can’t take it.

Last year I was really out of the running (though my proposal got to Ottawa) with a score of 13 and funding beginning at 18. What makes this rejection particularly dejecting is how close I was. That, and the fact I’m 11th means there is no way in hell I will get SSHRC’s sloppy seconds. Ah, at least I’m so far along in my program that I can’t apply anymore.

Wait a sec, that’s not a good thing.

I can’t help but think that not getting a large scholarship as a student now puts me at a distinct disadvantage when looking for that first job. The inevitable question will come up: Can this man get external funding? Comparatively speaking, the likely answer will be no.

I knew I should have written a proposal about children, attention-deficit-disorder and environmental education. Something about teaching the world to sing through education for sustainability. Saving Polar Bears from global warming. That’s so easy to understand, I would have got funding for sure. When you talk about “multiple enactment of birdwatching” that kind of shit goes over people’s head.