Current competition year: May 1st, 2025 to April 30th, 2026

Program Description

USRAs are meant to nurture undergraduate student interest and fully develop their potential for a research career in health, natural sciences and engineering, or social sciences and humanities. These competitive awards are also meant to encourage undergraduate students to undertake graduate studies by providing research work experience that complements their studies in an academic setting.

Without exception, USRAs are tenable only at eligible Canadian institutions with an assigned allocation. Awards must be held at the institution where the offer of award originates.

Please note the following important eligibility criteria presently:

  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR):
    • Black student researchers ONLY
    • Health fields study
  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC):.
  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
    • Natural sciences and engineering fields study
    • all students (applications are particularly encouraged from Indigenous and Black student researchers.)

APPLICATION PROCESS and DEADLINES by Council

Please click on one of the relevant link below to read about the application process and GOOD LUCK with your application!

I am applying to CIHR

I am applying to NSERC

I am applying to SSHRC

Internal Contacts

CIHR and SSHRC USRA: Sarah Adams, Internal Research Programs Administrator (CORIS)

NSERC USRA:

Faculty Name Application Requirements Application Deadline Contact Person
Arts and Social Sciences Available here February 26, 2024 Sarah Mohammed
Engineering and Design Available here February 20th, 2024 by 4PM EST Tom Morrice
Science Available here February 15, 2024 Lubna Mahmoud

*Note that late applications will not be accepted

Page last updated October 23, 2024