NSERC [Tri-Agency] Undergraduate Student Research Award (Summer 2024)

Be sure to visit your Faculty contact.

Award Overview

Awards are meant to nurture interest and develop potential for a research career and to encourage the undertaking of graduate studies in these fields. All projects are supervised by McGill professors.

  • 15-16 consecutive weeks on a full-time basis (35 hours per week)
  • $6 000. from AGENCY + contribution from Supervisor ($2800.00 minimum for 15 week project to be increased accordingly for projects 16 weeks) subject to change according to Quebec minimum wage increase yet to be published.

The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program supports more than 3,000 students annually across Canada and is administered jointly by Canada’s three research granting agencies for research projects in their respective fields:

  • Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), 
  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

SSHRC and CIHR USRA : exclusively for students who self-identify as Black.

All other eligibility rules and all selection criteria are the same as for NSERC.

Students apply via the NSERC online USRA application and be sure to indicate which agency you are applying to

More information is available on the SSHRC and CIHR webpages.


NSERC

  • NSERC is reminding you that the USRA program actively encourages women applicants in their pursuit of graduate studies and careers in science and engineering.
  • NSERC also encourages eligible Canadian Indigenous students to apply.
  • NSERC is also encouraging students who self-identify as Black to apply.

Faculty Deadlines & weblinks

Deadlines 

Set by Faculties

Pdf copies of applications must be submitted to the academic unit of your proposed supervisor according to the following deadlines. Be sure to visit the relevant Faculty webpage linked below.

Eligibility

  • Please refer to the NSERC website for your eligibility requirements. You may NOT hold more than three(3) USRA scholarships in a lifetime.
  • SSHRC & CIHR applicants must agree to self-identify as Black

How to Apply

  • ALL Applicants who wish to hold an USRA at McGill must apply through the academic unit where they wish to hold the award (same academic unit as proposed supervisor).
  • Applicants and supervisors should consult USRA Application Instructions
  • Submit pdf copy of online application and all supporting documents to the academic unit where you will hold the award by deadline indicated 
  • If you are currently registered at another university, you may be required to provide additional information to McGill. 
  • Proposed supervisors should hold their primary appointment at McGill University, if not, students should apply through the supervisor’s primary institution.

Required Documents

  1. NSERC USRA Checklist
  2. SSHRC & CIHR Checklist
  3. NSERC’s online application: Form 202 (if you do not already have a PIN, you must register first)
    • Applicant complete Part I and attach PDF scan of official transcripts (see below)
    • Supervisors complete Part II (must enter any 6 digit number in lieu of Grant number if do not hold active NSERC Grant)
    • All components of application to be submitted in pdf copy to academic unit/Faculty as per deadlines above
  4. McGill transcript, plus all other university-level transcripts (must indicate CURRENT Winter term or last term registered in undergraduate study)
  5. For non-McGill students only: Undergraduate Research Trainee Registration form

Available Supplements to the NSERC USRA

FRQ-NT: Link for SUMMER NSERC USRA holders will be posted once the FRQNT posts the page.

  • Value 1 500.$
  • Must apply once you have received notice from NSERC that your USRA application has been successful. 

Canadian Forest Sector Workforce Diversity undergraduate supplements:

  • **Value 5 000.$
  • Based on relevance of USRA research to the National Resources Canada - Canadian Forest Service. If eligibility criteria is met, then applicant is automatically considered by the Agency.
  • ** See your supervisor for details on how the value of the supplement will be awarded as this supplement may be used to replace the minimum required amount from your supervisor.

Contact

For more information, contact your proposed supervisor's academic unit or consult the website for the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards Program

NSERC Actively encourages FEMALE and Canadian Indigenous APPLICANTS

NSERC is reminding you that the USRA program actively encourages women applicants in their pursuit of graduate studies and careers in science and engineering.

NSERC also encourages eligible Canadian Indigenous students to apply.

All eligible student from under-recognized groups are also encouraged to apply in alignment with McGill's EDI strategy.

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International License.
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, McGill University.

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