Summer 2013 Undergraduate NSERC Awards

Objective: To stimulate student’s interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering, and to encourage students to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields.

Each award is worth $4500.00 ($1125.00/month for a maximum of 4 months), plus a supplement of at least 25% of the award value to be paid by the supervisor.     

Duration and Terms:

• Students must work 16 consecutive weeks (35 hours per week)

• Student are not permitted to do thesis research while holding an award;

• Students are not permitted to take courses during working hours throughout the term of their award.  

Process:
Complete the School of Environmental Studies Internal Application Form.  You are welcome to discuss possible opportunities for supervision of summer research projects with ENSC faculty members ahead of time and you should be aware that faculty members are under no obligation to make any promises to students until students have been nominated (nominations will be sent out on Feb 11th).    Do not fill out the official NSERC application form until you are asked to complete it (you will only be asked if your application is successful - decisions will be made by Feb. 11th).  

Deadline:  Completed internal application forms (Part I) must be returned to Karen Depew, Rm. 3134, Undergraduate Office, Biosciences Complex, no later than 3:30 p.m. Feb. 4th, 2013.   Students who are nominated for an award will be notified by e-mail Feb 11th.  At this time successful candidates will then secure a supervisor and complete Part II of the internal application form and the official NSERC application form.  

Supervisor Eligibility:  
The holder of a USRA must normally be supervised by an ENSC faculty member who holds an NSERC grant, either at the time of application or when the student holds the award.   Environmental Studies faculty who currently hold NSERC research grants are: Stephen Brown, Brian Cumming, Ryan Danby, Peter Hodson and Heather Jamieson.  Here is a link to their research web pages:

http://www.queensu.ca/ensc/faculty/reg-faculty.html

Eligibility for Applications:
- Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada ;
- Must be registered in a bachelor’s degree program (at the time of application) in the natural sciences or engineering at an eligible university;
- Must have obtained a cumulative average of at least a “B” (70-76%) average in their previous years of study.

If you are registered in health sciences (M.D., D.D.S., and B.Sc.N.) or have a higher degree in the natural sciences or engineering you are NOT eligible.   Graduating students are eligible providing they have not started a program of graduate studies.   Normally preference will be given to applicants registered in an Environmental Science Major degree program.   ENSC SSP (Subject of Specialization) students are encouraged to apply in the department of their area of specialty (i.e. Chemistry, Biology, Geology Dept).

To Hold an Award:

• you must have completed all of the course requirements of at least the first year of university (two academic terms) of a bachelor’s degree (ie.  first year students are eligible to apply, but must complete all of their first year courses to hold award);

• you must have been registered full-time/part-time in the term immediately before holding the award;

• you must have not started a program of graduate studies in the natural sciences or engineering;

• be engaged on a full-time basis in research and development activities in the natural sciences or engineering during the tenure of the award;

• holders of USRA’s are not permitted to take courses during working hours throughout the term of their award;

• holders are expected to work 16 consecutive weeks– on a full time basis;

• holders are not permitted to do thesis research during the term of the award.

Note:   If you have been registered as a full-time student throughout your program but are now only registered as part-time in order to finish off the requirements of the degree you are still eligible to apply.   The award will be held immediately after your final session/year.   If you already hold a bachelor’s degree and are now working towards a second bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences or engineering, you are still eligible to apply.   Students may hold one USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).   Students may hold a maximum of three USRAs throughout their university career.