Undergraduate Student Research

NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Program

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) offers a national program that provides summer research experiences to undergraduate students who are enrolled in science programs other than the health sciences (medicine, dentistry, nursing and veterinary medicine).

NSERC's Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) allow undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience in a research setting — valuable exposure that can help students determine whether they would like to undertake graduate studies or pursue a research career in the natural sciences. 

Q. Who is eligible to apply for an award?

• You must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
• At the time of application, you must be registered in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible university.
• Over the previous years of study, you must have a cumulative average of at least second class ( a grade of "B" or "B-," if applicable) as defined by your university.
• 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 USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31), and you may hold a maximum of three USRAs throughout your university career.

Q. Who is eligible to hold an award?

• You must have completed all of the course requirements of at least the first year of university study (or two academic terms) of your bachelor's degree.
• Immediately before holding the award, you must have been registered for the term in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible university. You must not have started a program of graduate studies in the natural sciences or engineering.
• You must be engaged on a full-time basis in research and development activities in the natural sciences or engineering during the tenure of the award. 


Q. Who is eligible to be a supervisor?

WCVM faculty who hold NSERC grants are eligible to supervise students whose research experience is supported through this program. Undergraduate students can also choose to work with eligible faculty members at universities other than their own.

 View a list of the WCVM faculty members who are eligible to supervise students under the NSERC Undergraduate Research Students Award program. 

Q. How much is the award worth?

The current stipend for NSERC's Undergraduate Research Student Award is $4,500 for a 16-week program. Each student's supervisor is required to add at least 25 per cent of the stipend (at least $1,125) to increase the total to $5,625 for the 16-week program.

Q. What is the deadline for applying to the program?

Each university sets its own deadline for applications. Please contact the WCVM Research Office for more information.

For more information about the NSERC Undergraduate Research Student Award program and the application process, please visit the NSERC web site.