The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) have each introduced their respective Black Student Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs) program.
Modelled on NSERC's USRA program, the goal of both CIHR and SSHRC’s program is to provide research experience that complements the degree program that undergraduate students are pursuing, which may lead them to consider graduate studies careers in the fields of health and life sciences (CIHR) or the social sciences and humanities (SSHRC).
Award Value
$7,500 in total value, with $6,000 from the funding agency and a mandatory top-up of a minimum of $1,500 from the faculty supervisor’s research funds. Any supplement above this level may be set at the discretion of the department or the USRA supervisor.
Award Duration
The duration is 16 full consecutive weeks during the Summer Term between May and September.
Award Eligibility
Requirements for Students
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- Self-identify as Black on the online application form.
- Be registered full-time or part-time (at the time of application) in a bachelors degree program in at least one of the two terms immediately before holding the award.
- Have obtained a cumulative average of at least second class (B-, or 2.7).
- At the time of application, have completed a minimum of two academic terms. First-year students are not eligible.
- Graduating students may apply if they have not graduated by the application deadline or started graduate school during the award tenure period. U of T students can hold a USRA in the summer immediately following their final spring term.
- Must work on a full-time basis on research and development activities during the award tenure.
Requirements for Faculty Supervisors
- Can independently supervise students, as per their appointment with the university.
- Meets CIHR eligibility or SSHRC eligibility to hold research grants (see Applicant).
- Postdoctoral fellows and graduate/PhD students are not eligible to be supervisors.
Notes to Consider
- Award holders should not receive academic credits for research work completed during the USRA work term. Thesis research during the award term is not permitted.
- Award holders may be enrolled in a maximum of two courses (1.0 FCE) during the summer with their supervisor’s permission.
- A student may hold only one USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) and a maximum of three USRAs throughout their university career.
- USRAs do not include provisions for paid vacation days.
- Travel allowances are not permitted under the USRA program. Any costs of fieldwork and related expenses (including travel) are ineligible.
- The award cannot be deferred.
Application Process
PDF application packages must be submitted online using this form by Monday, February 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
How to Apply
CIHR and SSHRC Black Student USRA applications are completed on NSERC’s online system. First-time users will need to register. Applicants need to choose either CIHR or SSHRC when completing the application.
The application is comprised of the following three components:
- Student application (Form 202 Part I)
- USRA Application Role Description
- A copy of the student’s academic history from ACORN (to be attached to the student application Form 202 Part I)
Form 202 Part I, the USRA Application Role Description and the student’s academic history print-out from ACORN must be exported into a single PDF. The student will then submit the PDF application package online using this form by Monday, February 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
For detailed application instructions, please refer to the following Instruction Guide.
If you have any questions about the CIHR and SSHRC Black Student USRA, contact the Undergraduate Research and Global Experiences Coordinator at undergrad.research@engineering.utoronto.ca.