Every year the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) offers the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) to stimulate students’ interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering field, and to encourage students to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields.

The Daniels Faculty is allocated several awards each year. These awards allow students the opportunity to participate in research with an eligible faculty member. The 16-week full-time summer NSERC USRAs will begin on May 1, 2024 and carry a total value of $7500.00.

Eligible Faculty Members:

You must make contact with a potential supervisor on your own and together you will proceed through the application process. If you self-identify as a Black or Indigenous student, please let your supervisor know.

If you are interested in applying for this award, please note the following:

  • You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
  • Must have a cumulative average of at least a ‘B’ (CGPA 3.0).
  • Must be registered as either full-time or part-time (at the time of application) in a bachelor’s degree program. First-year students are excluded from the competition as applicants must have completed a minimum of two terms at the time of application submission.
  • Must not hold a higher degree in natural sciences and engineering.
  • Graduating students are eligible if they hold the award within the term immediately following the completion of their undergraduate program requirements, as long as they have not started their graduate studies.
  • A student may only hold one NSERC USRA per year.
  • You are to be engaged in research on a full-time basis for the duration of the award (16 full consecutive weeks).
  • Copies of transcripts must be provided with the application, however, you can use an Acorn PDF.

 

Application

NSERC USRA applications consists of the following:

  1. A copy of the student’s completed (Form 202, Part I) online NSERC form
  2. A copy of the supervisor’s completed (Form 202, Part II) online NSERC form
  3. A copy of the student’s transcript (ACORN version)
  4. A copy of the student’s CV/resume, and
  5. A written paragraph by the student, indicating:
    • Any relevant courses taken.
    • The student’s link/connection to the supervisor.
    • Why the student is interested in a summer research project.
    • Student’s future research plans

Please visit the NSERC USRA website for more details on the application procedure for students and supervisors to complete the appropriate application forms.

Deadline for applications for the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design is 4:00PM Friday March 22, 2024.

  • Students will be notified if awarded a placement by the end of March.

Applications must be emailed to shirley.chan@daniels.utoronto.ca.

If you have any issues with copies, signatures, etc., or questions in general, please email Shirley Chan.