As part of the efforts to make research culture more inclusive and address systemic barriers to participation, the Natural Sciences and Engineering and Research Council (NSERC) of Canada is providing increased opportunities for Black and Indigenous undergraduate students to apply for Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs).
The goal of the USRA program is to provide research experience that complements the degree program undergraduate students are pursuing, which may lead them to consider graduate studies careers in the field of natural sciences and engineering.
While each department allocates a limited number of NSERC USRA nominations, there is also an institutional allocation to the number of Black undergraduate student applicants. There is no allocation limit for NSERC Indigenous USRAs.
Award Value
$7,500 in total value, with $6,000 from NSERC 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
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, or a Native American student from the continental United States (in recognition of the Jay Treaty of 1794).
- Self-identify as Black or Indigenous on the online application form.
- Be registered full-time or part-time (at the time of application) in a bachelor's degree program in at least one of the two terms immediately before holding the award.
- At the time of application, have completed a minimum of two academic terms/semesters. 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.
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.
- Both the USRA award holder and their faculty supervisor must be located at the same university during the tenure of the award. USRAs cannot be transferred to another university.
Application Process
PDF application packages must be submitted online using this form by Monday, March 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
How to Apply
NSERC Black Student and Indigenous Student USRA applications are completed on NSERC’s online system. First-time users will need to register.
The application is comprised of the following three components:
- Student application (Form 202 Part I)
- A copy of the student’s academic history from ACORN (to be attached to the student application Form 202 Part I)
- Faculty Supervisor Application (Form 202 Part II)
Both Form 202 Part I and II and the student’s academic history print-out from ACORN must be exported into a single PDF by the faculty supervisor. The student will then submit the PDF application package online using this form by March 3 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
For detailed application instructions, please refer to the following Instruction Guide.
If you have any questions, contact the Undergraduate Research and Global Opportunities Coordinator at undergrad.research@engineering.utoronto.ca.