Background

Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are meant to stimulate your interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering. They are also meant to encourage you to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields.

Opportunity

If you would like to gain research work experience that complements your studies in an academic setting, these competitive awards can provide you with financial support.

The majority of USRA positions are funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), with an additional 10 USRA positions funded by the Faculty of Engineering and Design (which follow the same process as the NSERC USRA).

Applications are particularly encouraged from Indigenous and Black student researchers, for whom there is additional funding from NSERC.

Carleton will additionally receive a quota of one award through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and four awards through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), for the entire university that are available to Black student researchers only. The mechanics of these awards (eligibility, duration, stipend, etc.) remain the same as the NSERC stream. For the CIHR and SSHRC awards, please visit the CORIS USRA page.

Duration

  • The duration of the award is 14 to 16 weeks on a full-time basis (35 hr/wk) between May 1 and August 31.
  • USRAs may be held during co-op placements.

Award Value

  • 14 weeks – minimum award of $9,325.93 (including employer portion of mandatory benefits)
  • 16 weeks – minimum award of $10,658.20 (including employer portion of mandatory benefits)
  • NSERC provides $6,000, with the supervisor providing a minimum of $3,325.93 (for 14 weeks) or $4,658.20 (for 16 weeks).
  • The hourly rate of the minimum award value equates to the province’s minimum wage ($16.55/hr). 16 weeks x 35 hours/week = 560 hours at $16.55/hour = $9,268.00 plus 15% employer portion of mandatory source deductions = $10,658.20.

Award Supplements

FED Supplement to Carleton students graduating who pursue a master at Carleton:

If you are a Carleton undergraduate student who will be graduating in April 2024 and are applying to pursue your graduate studies in the Faculty of Engineering and Design at Carleton University starting in September 2024, the Office of the Dean for the Faculty of Engineering and Design will offer an additional $2,500 to NSERC or FED USRA recipients. Please note that this is contingent upon you continuing your graduate studies in the Faculty of Engineering and Design at Carleton University starting in September 2024.

FED Supplement for EDI focused research:

FED wants to encourage and support students and faculty members who incorporate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in their research by offering up to 10 supplemental awards of $1,000 for NSERC or FED USRA students in FED. To be considered for this supplement, you must submit an additional PDF document that outlines how EDI will be incorporated in the undergraduate research assistant’s own project or how the project of the undergraduate research assistant will support a larger research project that has EDI considerations overall. The document outlining the EDI considerations should be half a page long (Times New Roman, 12pt, single spacing). This supplemental award is contingent on a one-page report about EDI activities at the end of the summer.

Canadian Forest Sector Workforce Diversity undergraduate supplements

  • $5,000 supplement to NSERC USRA recipients (up to 30 available per year)
  • Objective: Promote research opportunities in areas relevance to National Resources Canada (NRC) – Canadian Forest Sector (CFS)
  • Applications will be automatically considered by NSERC if proposed project falls within areas of relevance

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Atmospheric and Meteorological undergraduate supplements

  • $1,000 supplement to active NSERC USRA recipients (up to 20 available per year)
  • Objective: Stimulate research in this area, encourage and support interest, promote training of potential future graduate studies and employment at ECCC
  • Must apply directly to ECCC by August 1

*Please note that all award supplements are subject to the employer portion of mandatory source deductions, just like the base award (the NSERC and the supervisor portions).

Student’s Salary

  • Start Date: May 1st (unless special circumstances)
  • Payroll period: Bi-monthly over 8 pay periods
  • Students will receive a salary based on the value of the award minus the appropriate employment deductions. For more details on the total expected salary and deductions, students can contact the HR-Payroll department.

Student Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for an award, you must:

  • be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or Protected Person as of the application deadline;
  • be registered, at the time of application, in a bachelor’s degree program at an eligible institution (students from other institutions may apply);
  • have registered in at least one of the two terms preceding the 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; and
  • have obtained, over the previous years of study, a CGPA of at least B- (7.0) (this is a competitive adjudication process).
  • You may hold only one USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31), and a maximum of three USRAs throughout your university career.
  • Students can register in a maximum of two courses during the tenure of the award.

Who is not eligible?

  • Those currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., MD, DDS, BScN)
  • Students who have already held 3 USRAs during their undergraduate career
  • Students who have held a USRA during the current academic year (Fall 2023 – Summer 2024)
  • Projects which do not lie within the NSE fields (Please refer to NSERC’s Eligibility criteria)
  • Students who have already graduated (at the time of the application deadline)

Eligible Supervisors of NSERC USRA Students

  • Any faculty member authorized by the institution to independently supervise students in the natural sciences or engineering fields.
  • Supervisors must meet the minimum contribution of $3,325.93 for 14 weeks or $4,658.20 for 16 weeks, per USRA student, using NSERC or any other research or faculty-approved funds.
  • Priority will be given to early-career researchers and then distributed to maximize the number of faculty supervisors.

Project Eligibility

  • NSERC-USRA projects must lie within the natural sciences and engineering fields.
  • CIHR-USRA projects must primarily improve or have an impact on health and/or produce more effective health services and products and/or strengthen the Canadian health care system.
  • SSHRC-USRA projects must be primarily in the social sciences and humanities.
  • Summary: the subject matter being researched, however, must fall under the mandate of the relevant council.

Duration of Awards

  • The duration of the award is 14 to 16 weeks on a full-time basis this duration must be agreed to by both student and faculty.
  • USRA awards are tenable at any time during the year as permitted by your academic program and Faculty and agreed upon by student and supervisor.
  • A maximum of two courses are allowed during the tenure of the award.
  • Note: Carleton pays the awards directly to the USRA recipients. No payment will be approved for any vacation leave or part-time work undertaken during tenure of the award.
  • No matter the time length (14 or 16 weeks), the payout of the sum owed will occur evenly over the same 8 pay periods that span the academic term.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

In accordance with the Tri-Agency EDI Action Plan, NSERC is acting on the evidence that equity, diversity and inclusion strengthen the scientific and engineering communities and the quality, social relevance and impact of research. Increasing diversity and gender equity in the research enterprise are NSERC priorities. NSERC is in the process of integrating sex, gender and diversity considerations into its evaluation criteria. Our community will be informed of changes and effective dates in advance of application deadlines. Applicants should refer to pages 5 to 7 in the Guide for Applicants: Considering equity, diversity and inclusion in your application for more information.

Inclusion of these factors is voluntary, in the interests of enhancing excellence in research, training, outreach and impact. Eligible students are welcome to self-identify.

FED offers a supplement for EDI focused research (see above for details).

How to Apply

  • Students apply through the Faculty where they request to hold their award (the supervisor’s Faculty, not necessarily the student’s).
  • The internal deadline for the Faculty of Engineering and Design is 4:00pm on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

*For more information about the NSERC-USRA application process, please consult the Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services (CORIS) webpage.

Instructions for Students

  • Create an NSERC online portfolio
  • Complete and submit Form 202 Part I in the NSERC portal
  • Upload a current copy of all official transcripts, with legend
    • Please see here for comprehensive instructions on filling out Part I
  • Forward the reference number provided by the system to their potential supervisor(s) – this is required to link Parts I and II

Once the supervisor has completed and submitted Form 202 Part II, students MUST Complete and submit the Faculty of Engineering and Design’s FED NSERC USRA 2024 Form (which requires students to upload Form 202 Parts I & II and official transcripts).

Instructions for Supervisors

  • Complete and Submit Form 202 Part II in the NSERC portal.
    • Please see here for comprehensive instructions on filling out Part II.

Deadline

Applicants must submit their completed application package (detailed above) in the form by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

Please note that applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Award Decisions

Each Faculty will inform applicants of its award decisions after it has completed its selection process.

Successful applicants must formally accept the award by signing the Student Acceptance Form provided. Also, successful applicants will need to complete a Payroll Profile Form with Human Resources.

Payment of Awards

Successful candidates will receive payment from Carleton’s HR/Payroll department in accordance with its normal payroll procedures.

Students will receive a salary based on the value of the award minus the appropriate employment deductions. For more details on the total expected salary and deductions, students can contact the HR-Payroll department.

The University will also issue a T4 or T4A slip (Statement of Income) at the end of the calendar year. NSERC will pay its contribution directly to the University.

Student Salary and Payment of Awards

  • Start Date: May 1st (unless special circumstances)
  • Payroll period: Bi-monthly over 8 pay periods
  • The hourly rate of the minimum award value equates to the province’s minimum wage.
  • Students will receive a salary based on the value of the award minus the appropriate employment deductions. For more details on the total expected salary and deductions, students can contact the HR-Payroll department.
  • No matter the time length (14, 15 or 16 weeks), the payout of the sum owed will occur evenly over the same 8 pay periods that span the academic term.
  • NSERC will pay its contribution directly to the University, and Carleton pays the awards directly to the USRA recipients.
  • No payment will be approved for any vacation leave or part-time work undertaken during the tenure of the award.
  • Successful candidates will receive payment from Carleton’s HR/Payroll department in accordance with its normal payroll procedures.
  • The university will also issue a T4 or T4A slip (Statement of Income) at the end of the calendar year.

Need More Information?

Any questions can be directed to Tom Morrice at GradAdminEng@cunet.carleton.ca.

It is strongly recommended that you also review NSERC’s Frequently Asked Questions/Answers.