USRA Information

SessionMelissa Ireland and Charity Parr-Vásquez | Jan. 10, 2013

What is the NSERC USRA?

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.

• Amount: total of at least $5625 for 16 weeks during the summer semester– $4500 from NSERC– At a minimum $1125 from the supervisor

• Deadline: Application must be submitted to the supervisor’s home Department by January 21, 2013 (this does not apply to Aboriginal students)

Eligibility

Faculty• Must hold an active NSERC research grant

(e.g., Discovery, CREATE, Strategic, Research Partnerships) at the time of application

• Faculty members whose research grants terminated on March 31, 2012, but who received an extension to use up the remaining funds from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013, will be eligible to supervise

Eligibility

Students• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

of Canada; • be registered in a bachelor's degree program

at an eligible university when you apply; and • have obtained, over the previous years of

study, a cumulative average of at least a B

Eligibility

Students• You may hold only one USRA per fiscal year

(April 1 to March 31). • You may hold a maximum of three USRAs

throughout your university career. • have completed at least the first year • not have started a program of graduate

studies

How to apply?

• Student must first identify a supervisor who is willing to support their application

• Must be complete form 202 using the online system

• Part I must be completed by the student and Part II must be completed by the proposed university research supervisor

• Provide a letter from the supervisor indicating willingness to support the student

How to apply

• Parts I and II must be printed off and submitted to the Department, along with a copy of the student’s transcript by Monday January 21, 2013

• Transcripts do not need to be official3, provided that department staff and/or supervisors print off a Banner copy

3Note that the applications which are forwarded to NSERC will require official transcripts

Important links

http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne/Index_eng.asphttp://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne/instructions/202/e.asp

Decision Process

• Each department must rank-order all USRA applications they receive.

• A committee will be formed to select the successful candidates.

• Decisions by the committee will be based on GPA and rank by the department

• A total of 16 USRA applications will be submitted to NSERC

Aboriginal Students

• There are no restrictions on the number of Aboriginal* students we can but forward to NSERC

• Same eligibility requirements as non-Aboriginal students

*For the purposes of this program, NSERC uses the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982 definition of Aboriginal as including the Indian, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada.

Application process

• Aboriginal students do not have to submit their applications to the Department.

• Applications must be submitted directly to Charity Parr-Vasquez , ORS, by February 15, 2013.

Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Supplement Program

• This supplement program is available to Aboriginal persons who hold an USRA

• Up to $5,000• Application deadline: Minimum of two

months before start of activity– Can hold up to four months after held USRA

What is it?

• The AANSE supplement aims to engage Aboriginal students and fellows in promoting interest and participation in the natural sciences and engineering by visiting Canada’s Aboriginal communities and schools and sharing their research and education experiences or participating in science promotion events and activities.

What expenses are covered?

• travel (air, rail, car rental, taxi, etc.); • accommodation (hotel, etc.); • meals; • material and supplies needed for

demonstrations or experiments; and • incidental expenses (photocopying, faxes,

etc.).

How to apply?

• A one- to two-page proposal • A detailed budget • A letter of reference from your supervisor, or

other faculty member within your institution; • A copy of documentation confirming your

Aboriginal status; and • A copy of the Terms and Conditions of

Applying Form signed by the applicant.

Application Assistance

Dr. Charity Parr-Vasquez, Research Facilitator for the Natural Sciences – cparrvasquez@wlu.ca, x4662

Aboriginal Students Ms. Melissa Ireland, Aboriginal Student Support Co-

ordinator (Waterloo Campus)- mireland@wlu.ca x4190