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NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)

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NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) - Deadline March 01, 2022 at 5 p.m. EST

Biology

Overview

NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are intended to stimulate student’s interest in research in natural sciences and engineering. They are also meant to encourage undergraduates to continue on to graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields. These awards assist students in gaining research work experience that complements their studies in an academic setting, while receiving financial support.

These awards have a value of $6,000 for a full 14 to16 week period. In addition, the host supervisor is required to supplement the amount of the award to meet Ontario employment guidelines (minimum wage hourly rate) using NSERC grants, or any other research funds. The duration of the award is 14 to16 weeks on a full-time basis (35 hours). For example, the supplement must be a minimum of $2,255.52 for 14 weeks and $3,434.88 for 16 weeks. Please note that for the duration of the award students will be full-time employees paid bi-weekly though payroll. Typically, students will hold the award during the summer semester, however, the award may also be held during the fall and winter semester to accommodate co-op students.

For complete eligibility criteria for students and supervisors please refer to NSERC’s web site.

To apply for an award, students must:

  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
  • be registered, at the time they apply, in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible university; and
  • have obtained, over the previous years of study, a cumulative average of at least second class (a grade of “B” or “B-”).

To hold an award, students must:

  • have completed all the course requirements of at least the first year of university study (or two academic terms) of their bachelor's degree;
  • have been registered in at least one of the two terms immediately before holding the award in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible university;
  • not have started a program of graduate studies in the natural sciences or engineering; and
  • be employed full time in eligible research and development activities in the NSE during tenure of award;
  • not be enrolled in more than two half-credit courses during the tenure of the USRA.

In addition...

  • If the student already holds a bachelor's degree and is studying toward a second bachelor's degree, they may still apply for this award.
  • The student may hold only one USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).
  • The student may hold a maximum of three USRAs throughout their university career.
  • The student must work under the supervision of a faculty member who is authorized by the University to independently supervise students.
  • Supervisors must have remote work available for USRA students in the event of a research shutdown to comply with COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions.

Furthermore,  Biology specifies the following:

    •  Each supervisor may supervise only 1 NSERC USRA per year
    • A student applying to work with a supervisor based primarily in a department other than Biology, should apply to the home department of that faculty member.
    • No more than 1 of the NSERC USRAs that are allocated to the Department of Biology will be awarded to students who are registered in programs other than Biology (including the BSc, BA, and joint programs), Environmental Science, and Water Science and Environmental Health

Application process

  1. Using NSERC’s On-line System, students and supervisors are required to complete Form 202, Part I and Form 202, Part II, respectively, and submit a copy to the department by the deadline. At this stage, students can upload unofficial transcripts to their Form 202, Part I application. Supervisors must provide a letter to confirm the amount of supplementary funding that they will provide and provide the index code for the grant these funds will come from. Departments may also request additional information from the students, such as CVs.

    ** Please refer to the Research section in MyLS listed in content for additional information regarding this opportunity.