WHAT IS NSERC? 

WHAT IS USRA?
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Undergraduate Student Research Award 
NSERC USRAs enable undergraduate students the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience under the supervision of one of York's NSERC funded faculty members.These awards are meant to stimulate your interest in the natural sciences and engineering and encourage you to pursue graduate and/or research-related industry careers.

AMOUNT

Students supervised by an NSERC USRA award will receive at least $7,980 over a 16-week period.
  • $6000 from NSERC.
  • Minimum of $1980 from your supervisor and the faculty. 

ELIGIBILITY OF STUDENTS

  • In order to apply, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
    • You are a Canadian citizen or permanent reisdent of Canada.
    • You are registered (at the time you apply) in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible university.
    • You have obtained, over the previous years of study, a cumulative average of at least "B". Please note, these awards are extremely competitive.
    • At the time of the award, you have completed the requirements for your first year of university study (two academic terms).
  • You are not eligible if:
    • You have previously received a total of three NSERC USRAs.
    • You are currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., MD, DDS, BScN).

ELIGIBILITY OF FACULTY MEMBERS

  • Recently, your proposed supervisor does not need to hold:
    • Hold an active NSERC research grant at the time of the award 
      • Discovery Grant
      • CREATE
      • Strategic Research Partnerships

HOW TO APPLY?

  • Students must identify a supervisor who is willing to support their application.
  • Form 202 must be completed using NSERC's on-line system
    • Part 1: completed by the student
      • A 'Reference Number' will be generated when you begin filling out Part 1- this number must be forwarded to your supervisor
    • Part 2: Filled out by the supervisor
  • At this stage, you DO NOT need to upload your transcript. If your application is successful in the competition, you will be contacted with instructions.
  • Once Form 202 Parts 1 and 2 are complete, a hardcopy must be submitted to your proposed supervisor's department.
  • Please check with the Departmental office to confirm their internal deadlines.

IMPORTANT LINKS

DECISION PROCESS

  • Each department ranks the USRA applications they receive.
    • Speak to your department to confirm their deadlines and internal processes.
  • Awards will be granted based primarily on GPA, but previous research experience etc, may be considered.
  • The Faculty committees will review and finalize the departmental rankings.
  • Successful applicants will be notified in early March.
  • A total of ? USRA applications will will be awarded this year. Last year, we received 41. We have not received this years quota.

WHERE TO GO FOR ASSISTANCE?

  • Your proposed supervisor.
  • The Departmental office to which you are applying.
  • The Faculty of Science Research Officer
    • Stefanie Bernaudo
      • sbr@yorku.ca
    • Joanne Sequeira
      • adminres@yorku.ca
  • NSERC:
    • Phone: 613-947-0428 (general questions) or 613-995-4273 (problems with the on-line system)
    • Email: usra-brpc@nserc-crsng.gc.ca