NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards

Overview

If you are an undergraduate student who'd like to get research experience in an academic setting, you should consider applying for an Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA). Through these awards, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) subsidizes eligible professors to hire students to work on interesting research-related jobs and projects.

Service delivery update

In support of social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak, we have transitioned all services to online delivery. 

If you have any questions about the NSERC USRA, please email nserc.usra@ubc.ca or phone 604-827-2937, from 9 am - 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

Eligibility

For information on Student Eligibility, please review the Information for Students Handout. 

Application requirements

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada as of the deadline date for applications at the university

  • Be registered, as of the deadline date for applications at the university, in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible university 

  • Have obtained, over the previous years of study, a minimum cumulative B- (68%) average

Requirements for holding an award

  • Have completed all the course requirements of at least the first year of university study (or two academic terms) of your bachelor's degree

  • Have been registered in at least one of the two terms immediately previous to holding the award in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible university. The terms of an academic year are: Summer (May 1 to Aug 31), Fall (Sep 1 to Dec 31), Winter (Jan 1 to Apr 30). Registration in either one of the two summer sessions will count as registration in that term.

  • Not have started a graduate studies program in the natural sciences or engineering at any time

  • Not have held a previous USRA in this fiscal year (Apr 1 to Mar 31), or more than 2 previous USRA awards in total

  • Be engaged on a full-time basis in research and development activities in the natural sciences or engineering during the tenure of the award

Additional considerations

  • If you already hold a bachelor's degree and are studying toward a second bachelor's degree, you may still apply to this program.

  • You may hold only one university USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).

  • You may hold a maximum of three university USRAs throughout your undergraduate university career.

  • You should not receive academic credits for the work done during the term of a USRA.  Students may take a maximum of one course if special arrangements to make up the time under supervision have been made with the supervisor.

Who is not eligible?

You are not eligible for an Undergraduate Student Research Award if:

  • You are currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., MD, DDS, BScN, PharmD); or
  • You hold higher degrees in the natural sciences or engineering.

Duration

  • The minimum normal duration of the award is 16 consecutive weeks of full-time work. The USRA makes no provision for sick leave or other interruption of awards.
  • Under exceptional circumstances, NSERC may approve awards for periods of less than 16 weeks

Faculty/school contacts

Applied Science (UBC-V)

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

UBC-V:

Gayatri Thakor

apsc.pd@ubc.ca

March 18, 2021

Contact professors directly

Refer to https://pd.engineering.ubc.ca/professional-development/usra/#NSERC

Eligible Grant Holder List -Applied Science-UBCV

Applied Science (UBC-O)

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Samantha Luckow

samantha.luckow@ubc.ca

February 28, 2021

Contact professors directly

Refer to the Faculty Directory to find a potential supervisor

Eligible Grant Holder List - School of Engineering-UBCO

Arts

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Marcy Caouette

arts.awards@ubc.ca

February 19, 2021

1. Contact the USRA Coordinator
2. Contact professors directly

Eligible Grant Holder List -Arts-UBCV

Arts: Geography

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Suzanne Lawrence

undergraduate.program@geog.ubc.ca

February 19, 2021

1. Contact the USRA Coordinator
2. Contact professors directly

Eligible Grant Holder List -Arts-UBCV

Arts: Psychology

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Jennifer Janicki

undergrad@psych.ubc.ca 

February 19, 2021

1. Contact the USRA Coordinator
2. Contact professors directly

Eligible Grant Holder List -Arts-UBCV

Dentistry

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Ingrid Ellis

iellis@dentistry.ubc.ca

February 26, 2021

Contact professors directly

Eligible Grant Holder List -Dentistry-UBCV

Education

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Robert Olaj

robert.olaj@ubc.ca

Not applicable

Note: The Faculty of Education is not accepting NSERC-USRA applications for the 2021-2022 cycle.

Forestry

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Chiara Longhi

chiara.longhi@ubc.ca

March 15, 2021

Apply online and ensure that the USRA Faculty coordinator has been made aware that you have applied and should you have any non-UBC transcript be sure to include those in your email notification to the USRA Coordinator (Chiara Longhi).

Eligible Grant Holder List -Forestry-UBCV

Kinesiology

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Dr. Jean-Sebastien Blouin

jean-sebastien.blouin@ubc.ca

1) LOI from Faculty members: February 12, 2021

2) Full Application due on March 5, 2021

Contact potential supervisors early, submit LOI on Feb 12th 2021 and full application on March 5th 2021 directly to USRA Coordinator.

Eligible Grant Holder List -Kinesiology-UBCV

Land & Food Systems

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

David Kitts

david.kitts@ubc.ca

Baohua Wang

baohua.wang@ubc.ca

lfs.nserc-usra@ubc.ca

March 12, 2021

Instructions for students in terms of how to apply for the award will be posted on the faculty website

Eligible Grant Holder List -LFS-UBCV

Medicine

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Dr. Debbie Giaschi

fom.nserc.usra@ubc.ca

March 4, 2021

1. Find more information on the Faculty of Medicine's NSERC USRA page

2. Contact eligible supervisors directly

Eligible Grant Holder List -Medicine-UBCV

Pharmaceutical Sciences

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Dr. Sarah Hedtrich

sarah.hedtrich@ubc.ca

March 5, 2021

Visit our faculty SSRP webpage for additional information on how to apply to the program.  

Eligible Grant Holder List -Pharmaceutical Sciences-UBCV

Sauder School of Business

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Jessie Lam

Jessie.lam@sauder.ubc.ca

March 12, 2021 (date by which supervisor/student pairs must have their application complete and verified online)

1. Look for in-class announcements by professors

2. Interested students should contact Jessie Lam, Sauder NSERC USRA Coordinator at jessie.lam@sauder.ubc.ca as soon as possible to facilitate finding a supervisor. 

3. Contact professors directly to set up meeting

Eligible Grant Holder List -Sauder-UBCV

Science: Botany

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Alice Liou

alice.liou@botany.ubc.ca

February 22, 2021

Contact professors directly

Eligible Grant Holder List - Science-UBCV

Science: Chemistry

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Wayne Mah

ugrad@chem.ubc.ca

January 28, 2021

Go to the Chemistry NSERC USRA website for application instructions

Eligible Grant Holder List - Science-UBCV

Science: Computer Science

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Ana K. Drole

undergrad-admin@cs.ubc.ca

February 20, 2021 at 4:00 PM
  1. Determine which awards you are eligible for.
  2. Contact potential supervisors/faculty members you would like to work with.
  3. Once you have a confirmed supervisor, submit the online application webform by the stated deadline.Important: Before submitting, please ensure that you have read over the online guidelines, eligibility requirements, and webform instructions carefully.

For more information, please visit Undergraduate Student Research Awards.

Eligible Grant Holder List - Science-UBCV

Science: Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Kimberly Tietjen

ktietjen@eoas.ubc.ca

March 12, 2021
  1. Complete the online application Form 202 - Part I on the NSERC website. You will need to upload a copy (front and back) of your official transcript.
  2. Have your proposed faculty supervisor complete Form 202 - Part II on the NSERC website. You are responsible for seeking out a faculty supervisor.
  3. Email a completed copy of both Part I and Part II to Kimberly Tietjen, Administrative & Office Assistant, ktietjen@eoas.ubc.ca.

       Eligible Grant Holder List - Science-UBCV

Science: Institute for the Oceans & Fisheries

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Eden Fellner

e.fellner@oceans.ubc.ca

 March 5, 2021

Send one PDF version (combined) of all application forms (Part I and Part II) and transcripts that were submitted to the NSERC Online Application Portal via email to e.fellner@oceans.ubc.ca with “NSERC USRA 2021-22 Application Last Name” in subject line.

Eligible Grant Holder List - Science-UBCV

Science: Institute for Resources, Environment & Sustainability (IRES)

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Bonnie Leung

bonnie.leung@ubc.ca

March 1, 2021

Contact professors directly

Students should apply directly online via the NSERC website, they should save one PDF copy of Part I and Part II of the application form and send it to: IRES Applications ires.applications@ubc.ca, Subject:  NSERC USRA 2021-22 Last Name

Eligible Grant Holder List - Science-UBCV

Science: Mathematics

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Allen Yang

resource@math.ubc.ca

February 5, 2021

Find out more information, look for available projects and how to apply for a research position on the Mathematics Department's NSERC USRA page. 

Eligible Grant Holder List - Science-UBCV

Science: Microbiology and Immunology

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Dr. David (Dave) Oliver

dcoliver@mail.ubc.ca

February 20, 2021

Find more information at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology’s page

Eligible Grant Holder List - Science-UBCV

Science: Physics & Astronomy

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Kirsty Dickson

ugcoord@phas.ubc.ca

January 31, 2021 

Refer to the Physics and Astronomy NSERC USRA page for specific departmental procedures and postings

Eligible Grant Holder List - Science-UBCV

Science: Statistics

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Mairead Roche

gradinfo@stat.ubc.ca

February 20, 2021 at 4:00 PM

All applicants are required to apply with a confirmed supervisor. The list of projects and supervisors will be posted on our webpage.

Eligible Grant Holder List - Science-UBCV

Science: Zoology

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Síle Maguire Conneely

coordinator@zoology.ubc.ca

February 22, 2021

Contact professors directly; 

When students apply online via the NSERC website, they should save a PDF copy of both parts of the application form and send it to the Zoology graduate program (coordinator@zoology.ubc.ca).

Eligible Grant Holder List - Science-UBCV

UBC-O Health & Exercise Sciences

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Dr. Tanya Forneris

tanya.forneris@ubc.ca

February 26, 2021 at 4:00 PM

Please visit our URSA award page for instructions on how to apply for the award.

Eligible Grant Holder List - Health and Exercise Sciences-UBCO

UBC-O Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science

USRA Coordinator Application Deadline Finding USRA Positions

Lael Parrott

lael.parrott@ubc.ca

Julie Martin

julie.martin@ubc.ca 

January 28, 2021

Please see our IKB Faculty of Science website with instructions.

Eligible Grant Holder List - IKB Faculty of Science-UBCO

How to contact professors

Try to create your own research opportunity by contacting eligible professors you would like to work with and tell them about this program. Many professors will be happy to talk to you about the opportunity to hire you at a subsidized wage. If you find a professor who is interested, ask them to contact their USRA Coordinator for more information.

Here are some tips:

  • Know what you are going to say: be prepared to talk about your interests, knowledge areas, and lab or volunteer experience. Familiarize yourself with the professor's research subject so you can ask informed questions about it. This will show that you are genuinely interested in helping with the research.
  • Bring a copy of your resume.
  • Read the NSERC program rules for supervisors. Make sure you understand these rules and application procedures. 
  • Regardless of whether you get the position or not, thank the professor for their time with a thank-you email.

How do you apply?

  1. Review the Information for Students Handout to better understand the application process. 

  2. The NSERC USRA program is administered and coordinated through the Faculty/School USRA Coordinators. Each faculty establishes procedures for identifying and ranking applicants and setting deadlines.

  3. Once you have found an eligible professor, both faculty supervisors and students must complete and submit an online NSERC USRA application Form 202 part I (student) and Part II (supervisor), by clicking on “System Login” or, if you are a first time user, “Register”.  Forward your reference number to the supervisor so they can include it in their part of the application.

  4. Instructions on how to complete the forms can be found on the NSERC USRA website. Additional resources can be found here:

    1. Online Application Portal for Faculty Supervisors and Student Applicants

    2. NSERC USRA Instructions for Completing Form 202

    3. NSERC USRA Program Application Tutorial

  5. You must also upload, with your application form, a copy of your official transcripts, including one copy of the back page legend.

  6. Once completed online, a copy of the forms (Part I and Part II, as well as the student’s transcripts) have to be submitted to your Faculty/School/Department USRA Coordinator for review.

  7. Your Faculty/School/Department USRA Coordinator will be in touch with your proposed project supervisor about the outcome of the application.

  8. NSERC will not accept hardcopy forms so the official application must be completed and submitted electronically. The copies sent to the Faculty/School/Department USRA Coordinator are only necessary for the internal review process.

Value and payment of awards

  • These awards have a value of $6,000. This amount will be reimbursed to your faculty supervisor's account at the end of your work tenure.

  • Universities are required to supplement the amount of the award by at least 25% of its value using other sources such as university funds, NSERC grants, or any other research funds. The minimum pay for the tenure of your award of 16 weeks is $8,321.60 (assuming award duration of May 3 - August 20, 2021) based on the June 1, 2021 BC minimum wage increase from $14.60/hr to $15.20/hr. If the award is longer than 16 weeks, your pay should increase by a minimum of $532.00 for each additional week or $106.40 for each additional day.

  • You will receive your payment from the university in accordance with its pay procedures. You will also receive a T4 or T4A slip (Statement of Income) for tax purposes from UBC Payroll.

  • NSERC will not reimburse the University for any period during which you worked part-time. No payment will be approved for any vacation leave you take during the tenure of the award.

Where can you hold your award?

An Undergraduate Student Research Award is tenable at any eligible Canadian university and can allow you to expand your background training at other universities. You must apply at the institution where you would like to hold the URSA and must comply with the internal selection criteria of that institution and be selected by that university to hold one of their quotas of awards. Once NSERC has approved your award for tenure at one particular institution, you may not transfer to another institution.

Important dates

NSERC USRA Application Period

Students and supervisors must register or log onto the NSERC on-line system to complete Form 202 Part 1 (student application) and Form 202 Part II (supervisor application) starting January 2021. See above for internal application deadlines.

*UBC holds one annual completion a year for Summer 2021, Fall 2021 and Winter 2022 terms. Applications for ALL terms must be submitted during this period.

USRA Placements

Summer Term - May 1 - August 31, 2021 *(May 12, 2021)

Fall Term - September 1 - December 31, 2021 *(September 6, 2021)

Winter Term - January 1 - April 30, 2022 *(January 10, 2022)

*latest a student can start working on their award

NSERC Award Notification

Award letters for the summer term will be issued directly to students in July for the Summer term, November for the Fall term, and February for the Winter term.

If you have questions

  • For application process and general questions, contact your faculty, school, or department USRA Coordinator (see list above).
  • As a second resource, you can also contact NSERC USRA Liaison Officer UBC Centre for Student Involvement and Careers (nserc.usra@ubc.ca).
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