2017 IRC Postgraduate Funding

gline

I hope some previous applicants can answer this, sorry if it has already been answered somewhere, I had a browse and didnt see any threads for this year.

Does anyone have an idea on the timeline of the IRC application, when can one expect to hear of the outcome, I've been told it could be as late as the end of the summer, is this correct?

KevinLl

Hey, I've applied too and I think that this time around it is March for the outcome.

anniehilate

Yep, all we currently know is "March". The deadline was moved up three months on last year's deadline, so the general timeline may mirror theirs but three months ahead. Though I have a feeling they moved up the application deadline so that they could give themselves more time, judging by the cluster f that the last couple years have been with extension of the dates the results were supposed to be out etc. and it approaching the end of July giving applicants not nearly enough time to plan, look for accommodation... So I wouldn't be surprised if it were April. Best of luck!

KevinLl

I have noticed that my application has been viewed a few times by the IRC or the assessors. When I go into my submitted applications section and click to view my application as a pdf, it shows the last date it was modified. Anyone else notice this?

Zoinks

I've noticed this too. Mine has not been "modified" since mid-December though , which fills me with pessimism despite no correlation between modifications and success having been established. At a guess though, a lot of activity in this regard suggests interest.

You can also get a somewhat informed idea of the scale of opened (though not necessarily completed) applications by looking at your application number, I believe.

Interesting that the discussion on this is quite relaxed this year compared to last--perhaps it's the timing, and undergrads and postgrads are generally too busy during this period to be distracted by this?

Bennoo

Yes, mine was also last modified in the middle of December. just keeping my fingers crossed.

KevinLl

I wonder if maybe less have applied this call. I wasn't expecting it to be so early and nearly didn't apply myself.

Zoinks

You might be right; the early call undoubtedly made things more difficult for prospective first time applicants who would have just been basically starting their masters around the deadline, and may not have had sufficient time to think through and elaborate on a compelling proposal. That being said, it was a more or less the perfect time for current PhD students seeking funding and recent graduates taking a year out.

For what it's worth though, my application ID is in excess of 1000. How many completed their applications is another story; it's quite easy to open one without completing it, and even then one must wrangle two referees and a supervisor reference together (as well as endorsement from the research office--but that should be the straightforward part).

meabhl

I'm a second time applicant and last year there was an issue with the timing of the outcomes. Knowing this, I think it will be the end of March.

By the way last year on boards we were all talking about how often our apps were viewed/modified. I won't be looking this year - it ended up being nearly an obsession. I missed out by 4.5% and mine was viewed as recently as people who did and didn't get it. I don't think it gives an indication of if you are successful or not. For all the first time applicants out there try not to worry and think too much about it. It's a horrible wait enough already! Granted that's more easily said than done!!!

Zoinks

Thank you, I think it eases my mind knowing that modification frequency doesn't matter much.

Good luck this year, I hope it works out for you (and everybody here!); I would be confident that with knowledge of how the system works and what is expected from last year, you will do quite well.

haight ashbury

My application was also last modified in mid-December...

Best of luck everyone - hopefully we won't be waiting too long for the results.

toxobcl2

My application was last modified on the 19th of January and before that it was mid November. Seems like the applications aren't viewed too regularly.

Zoinks

Interesting; sounds like the first round of assessment has likely not been completed yet then, at least in your stream (November update would probably have coincided with your college's research office endorsement).

Afurosan

meabhl wrote: »

I'm a second time applicant and last year there was an issue with the timing of the outcomes. Knowing this, I think it will be the end of March.

By the way last year on boards we were all talking about how often our apps were viewed/modified. I won't be looking this year - it ended up being nearly an obsession. I missed out by 4.5% and mine was viewed as recently as people who did and didn't get it. I don't think it gives an indication of if you are successful or not. For all the first time applicants out there try not to worry and think too much about it. It's a horrible wait enough already! Granted that's more easily said than done!!!

What was the cut off percentage for funding last year?

meabhl

Zoinks wrote:

Good luck this year, I hope it works out for you (and everybody here!); I would be confident that with knowledge of how the system works and what is expected from last year, you will do quite well.

Zoinks wrote:

Thank you, I think it eases my mind knowing that modification frequency doesn't matter much.

Thanks zoinks!! I really hope so, Fingers crossed for all the boardies also from what I can remember stem and other application types did come out on separate dates. I'm stem so I have no idea how soon/late the other apps were.

Yeh try not to worry, granted its playing on my mind the closer we get to March haha

meabhl

Afurosan wrote:

What was the cut off percentage for funding last year?

87% in stem

gline

KevinLl wrote: »

I wonder if maybe less have applied this call. I wasn't expecting it to be so early and nearly didn't apply myself.

I heard a few people complaining about the early closing date this year also. It was crazy trying to get everything together after just starting semester 1 of stage 4.

I also heard last year some people were notified as late as June/July of the outcome of their application.

Zoinks

Seems like a catch-22 for the IRC; either start the process in October and make life hard for people starting their final year/masters, or start it in January/February and leave people on tenterhooks while they could be looking for accommodation.

In last year's case, looking at that thread, it seems like it would have been helpful if persons that didn't pass the first round were notified immediately.

meabhl

gline wrote:

I heard a few people complaining about the early closing date this year also. It was crazy trying to get everything together after just starting semester 1 of stage 4.

gline wrote:

I also heard last year some people were notified as late as June/July of the outcome of their application.

Yes I nearly didn't re apply myself! It was so early!! So difficult for all applicants working / studying. But I'm hoping kind of selfishly not many people applied... The early app date may have shaken some people into applying next year!

I found out on the 1st of July!

gline

meabhl wrote: »

But I'm hoping kind of selfishly not many people applied... The early app date may have shaken some people into applying next year!

Funny I was hoping the same. Hopefully a lot of PI's were thrown with the date also.

KevinLl

Does anyone know if they do actually let us know before March if we don't pass the first round or is that part not revealed? I feel like I'm in limbo just waiting to see the shape of my life over the next couple of years.

Zoinks

My application was modified again. Impossible to know what it represents, but it kind of gives you butterflies 0_o

EDIT: From looking at last year's thread everybody seemed to be notified of success/failure in and around the same time.

meabhl

I feel the exact same way!!!
And no idea - I haven't even looked at my application so I'm just waiting on an email

gline

Yeh I dont think the modified dates of applications mean anything, or can give any indication of timing. Best to just wait for the email I reckon.

Zoinks

I think the problem is that it means something, but we don't know what that something is , and it's not productive to worry about it.

EDIT FEB 6: More modifications. I think assessment is probably well underway in at least the AHSS stream at this point. I will indulge some speculation, and it is only that so please nobody get anxious . Your apps will have to go through two international reviewers, so change might occur whenever one of them opens and/or grades. It might be safe to assume that a modification will occur also if say someone at the IRC opens your application to see any updates made by those reviewers.

If any of my speculation is accurate and you haven't seen any updates, don't fret, I think they have approx. four weeks to get through the applications at the first stage.

At any rate, for those of us who are AHSS, I have hope that we are on track for results by March's end.

KevinLl

Anyone else have their hopes dashed today? I didn't get through phase 1, got an email a while ago.

RoebuckWilson

Hi all,

If it's any help for others, my application wasn't successful either.

"A total of 444 eligible applications were assessed under the ‘Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences’ funding stream, with the lowest total score for progression to the Inner International Assessment Board set at 87."

I scored 85

Not sure if I'm annoyed at myself for spending so much time or just not quite enough! :eek:

Always next time! Best of luck to those remaining!

Zoinks

I'm so sorry to hear that

Are you AHSS or STEM?

My status has not changed but suffice it to say I am nervous now.

RoebuckWilson

AHSS

I'd imagine a batch mail went out, so if you've heard nothing, you're safe!

Best of luck!

Bennoo

i also didn't get it, just received the email. hmmmm

Zoinks

I'm sorry to hear that, I know I will be gutted if I get the dreaded email today.

Has your status been changed on smartsimple?

Bennoo

Yes, it has been changed to unsuccessful.

gline

I was unsuccessful also. 2 marks off

Zoinks

I was notified by email that I am progressing to stage 2.

Commiserations to those who were ruled out of contention Please don't give up, and pursue university/other funding where available, or apply next year if that is an option.

I will keep you posted on how this goes. I think I will be in the dark til the end of March.

Kinks56

So happy to have found this thread! I've gotten through to the second stage, so I'm happy about that, but this whole process has been fairly stressful (as if the bloody PhD wasn't stressful enough), and I actually can't wait for it to be over, one way or another!

Zoinks

Best of luck, Kinks56. I know how stressful it is, but at least it is nearly over, for better or worse.

Zoinks

Lots of upgrades going on on the online system that occasionally render the application inaccessible; I would wonder if this will indeed be over before April--I am not so sure at this stage.

Sarzed1

Hi, I'm also awaiting results for stage two of the IRC decisions- fingers crossed for everyone waiting! V tempted to tweet them and ask if they're likely to get decisions out by the end of march (they seem quite responsive on twitter), but I fear that might seem desperate...!

Zoinks

It can't hurt to send them a tweet asking them if they are still on track for March results--if you already have a twitter account anyway.

Sarzed1

They replied and confirmed "results will be released by the end of march"- so we'll know either way by the end of next week! :O

Zoinks

Thank you for sharing, it is great to get concrete information!

I won't be able to concentrate on anything else for the next 10 days; fingers and toes are crossed :eek:

Sarzed1

ditto- fingers crossed! it feels so close, but still so far..!

Decerto

Hey, I applied for this and made it through the first stage. However I will 99% be not accepting it if it is offered as I have been accepted to grad school in the US. Can/Should I withdraw now so I don't take someone else's offer? Is there a waitlist for this thing in case people do decline so others can take the spot?

Zoinks

It looks like my application is available again. No movement on "Last Modified" yet.

Decerto wrote: »

Hey, I applied for this and made it through the first stage. However I will 99% be not accepting it if it is offered as I have been accepted to grad school in the US. Can/Should I withdraw now so I don't take someone else's offer? Is there a waitlist for this thing in case people do decline so others can take the spot?

Looking at last year's thread for this, there were candidates placed on a reserve list--so you should not be eliminating anybody else's opportunity if you want to take time to think more about this and are ultimately successful. That being said, if you are fairly certain that you will reject the offer, it is kind of a waste of reviewers' time and may put a prospectively successful candidate in a position where they have to wait a little longer than everyone else for their final result.

What you do is up to you; there is an advantage to waiting if you feel like you might want a backup.

And congratulations on your grad school offer

Sarzed1

my app is back up and also hasn't moved on 'last modified'-  (though it's slightly reassuring that all applications at this stage will go through exactly the same process, so the 'last modified' date doesn't mean much? Unlike last year when they didn't announce the outcome of stage 1 so people had more to speculate about, anyway).
I was hoping they'd changed to "under construction" while they uploaded all the results- sadly that appears to have been a tad optimistic..!

kyle84

I'm an absolute nervous wreck waiting for these results. Every email makes my heart race. Regardless of the outcome, I just want this ordeal over.

Zoinks

kyle84 wrote: »

I'm an absolute nervous wreck waiting for these results. Every email makes my heart race. Regardless of the outcome, I just want this ordeal over.

I can empathize with this--I think my toes curl and I just think "uh oh" whenever I get email alerts on my phone during standard working hours.

We won't be kept on the hook for much longer, if the IRC are as good as their word. I almost feel like for maximum dramatic effect the results will end up being March 31. A weekend of celebration or drowning of sorrows would be had!

Decerto

Zoinks wrote: »

It looks like my application is available again. No movement on "Last Modified" yet.



Looking at last year's thread for this, there were candidates placed on a reserve list--so you should not be eliminating anybody else's opportunity if you want to take time to think more about this and are ultimately successful. That being said, if you are fairly certain that you will reject the offer, it is kind of a waste of reviewers' time and may put a prospectively successful candidate in a position where they have to wait a little longer than everyone else for their final result.

What you do is up to you; there is an advantage to waiting if you feel like you might want a backup.

And congratulations on your grad school offer

That's good to know thanks, I guess I will wait for the response before I commit. Maybe I will get lucky and not get it so I don't have to explain why I can't take it to the supervisor.

Sarzed1

Decerto wrote: »

Zoinks wrote: »

It looks like my application is available again. No movement on "Last Modified" yet.



Looking at last year's thread for this, there were candidates placed on a reserve list--so you should not be eliminating anybody else's opportunity if you want to take time to think more about this and are ultimately successful. That being said, if you are fairly certain that you will reject the offer, it is kind of a waste of reviewers' time and may put a prospectively successful candidate in a position where they have to wait a little longer than everyone else for their final result.

What you do is up to you; there is an advantage to waiting if you feel like you might want a backup.

And congratulations on your grad school offer

That's good to know thanks, I guess I will wait for the response before I commit. Maybe I will get lucky and not get it so I don't have to explain why I can't take it to the supervisor.

I'm sure any supervisor will understand that you've made multiple applications and might not accept any offer you get from them, so I wouldn't worry about it! And congrats on getting into grad school

Decerto

Sarzed1 wrote: »

I'm sure any supervisor will understand that you've made multiple applications and might not accept any offer you get from them, so I wouldn't worry about it! And congrats on getting into grad school

Thanks. I am sure he will understand but he mentioned that this happened last year as well with another student so I feel pretty bad about it.

Zoinks

And the applications are down again at time of writing (mine anyway).

If all this is simply because of website upgrades and maintenance, surely the Summer months would have been more appropriate