NSERC Black Student Researchers Pathway to USRA

About the pathway

The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry offers 3 Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) pathways for Black Student Researchers:

  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) USRA
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) USRA 
  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) USRA

For more information, please visit the NSERC website. In addition to these federally funded opportunities, UBC has approved funding to support Black Undergraduate Student Researchers.

Application requirements

If you self-identify as Black or Black multiracial, and identify with Black ancestry, apply to the Black Student USRA program. To apply through this pathway, you will be required to:

  • Indicate that you self-identify as a Black person on your application Form 202 Part 1 under "Personal Profile" on the NSERC online portal.
  • Indicate if the research proposal you’re submitting is for NSERC USRA, CIHR USRA or SSHRC USRA. Please refer to the federal guidelines on selecting the appropriate federal granting agency when choosing the federal granting agency for the proposed research project.
  • Review the steps on how to apply for a USRA, and follow the application instructions for the faculty, school, or department you’re applying to.

Application deadlines

Faculty, school, or program

Deadline to apply for the pathway

Faculty of Medicine

Thurs, Mar 2, 2023

UBC Vancouver Applied Science

Wed, Mar 15, 2023

Sauder School of Business

Fri, Mar 17, 2023

All other faculties (excluding Faculty of Medicine, UBC Vancouver Applied Science, and Sauder School of Business)

Fri, Mar 10, 2023

If you have questions

Review the NSERC USRA page for details on eligibility requirements, application instructions, important timelines, and more.

For application process and general questions, contact your faculty, school, or department USRA Coordinator. You can view the faculty or school list for deadlines and contacts. 

You can also email NSERC USRA Liaison Officer at nserc.usra@ubc.ca.

skip to content

On this page

Back to top