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. The award provides funding for a 16 week research position with $6,000 from NSERC and the University (supervisors) supplementing the amount of the award to comply with their provincial employment standards.Travel allowances may also be granted. Our quota for this competition is 16.

New in 2023: institutions may recommend applications from self-identified Black student researchers above their quota. 

Eligibility Criteria can be found on the funding description link below. 

Application​s

Applicants must submit the NSERC application through the NSERC portal by the deadline. Applicants, in addition to completing the NSERC application requirements, must also submit a one-page project summary and a letter of reference to the Office of Graduate Programs by the application deadline. The project summary and the reference letter will accompany the NSERC application materials in the adjudication process.

On the NSERC website:

1. Complete Form 202 Part I, which includes uploading official transcripts (from all post-secondary institutions attended).  

Please note: Students must upload their own official transcripts to their application using NSERC's Online Services.  A legend is only required if transcripts are from outside of UNBC.  Students must retain hard copies of all official transcripts in case NSERC requests to see them at any time in the application process.  NSERC USRA applications must be prepared using the NSERC Online Services by selecting Login to the System or Register as a New User.

2. Once Form 202 Part I is completed, you must provide your reference number to your proposed supervisor to enable them to complete Part II.  Please ensure you leave enough time for your proposed supervisor to complete Form 202 Part II.

3. UNBC requires students to submit (by the Feb 23 application deadline) a one-page project summary (written by the student) and that students arrange for a letter of reference (from the project supervisor or other faculty member) to be submitted on their behalf. These can be submitted electronically to grad-scholarships@unbc.ca

Evaluation Criteri​a

The following evaluation criteria will apply to all applicants:

• Academic Excellence (40%)
• Research Ability and Potential (40%)
• Expected quality of the training to be received (20%)