NSERC USRA Information

Summer 2023 NSERC-USRA Research Awards

USRA (Undergraduate Student Research Awards) are meant to nurture your interest and fully develop your potential for a research career in the natural sciences and engineering. They are also meant to encourage you to undertake graduate studies in these fields. If you would like to gain research work experience that complements your studies in an academic setting, these awards can provide you with financial support through your host university. We encourage qualified Indigenous, women, visible minorities, BIPOC, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ persons to apply for this award.

NSEERC is acting on the evidence that achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to respond to local, national and global challenges. This principle informs the commitments described in the Tri-agency statement on equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

Please read the information here carefully. Please review the NSERC eligibility guidelines, the list of PSYC Faculty accepting NSERC applications in 2023 and the PSYC specific application process, including the PSYC departmental application form. It is important you pay attention to deadlines, if you are interested in applying.

NSERC Eligibility

Consult the NSERC websites for detailed information of eligibility for this award and take a look at the FAQs:

• https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/UG-PC/USRA-BRPC_eng.asp

• https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/UG-PC/USRAFAQ-BRPCFAQ_eng.asp

To be eligible to apply for an award

• you must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), as of the deadline date for applications at the institution

• you must be registered, as of the deadline date for applications at the institution, in a bachelor’s degree program at an eligible institution

• you must have obtained, over the previous years of study, a satisfactory cumulative average (normally at least B; check with your institution)

• you cannot be currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., MD, DDS, BScN) (does not apply for CIHR USRAs)

• you cannot be currently registered or have been previously registered, at any time, in a graduate program in the same field of study

• you cannot have completed all your degree requirements

In addition

• if you already hold a bachelor’s degree and are studying toward a second bachelor’s degree, you may still apply for this award

• you may hold only one USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31)

• you may hold a maximum of three USRAs throughout your undergraduate career (regardless of the granting agency)

To hold an award, you must

• you must have completed all the course requirements of at least the first year of study (or two academic terms) of your bachelor’s degree

• you must have been registered in a bachelor’s degree program at the time of application and in at least one of the two terms immediately before holding the award

• you must be employed full time in eligible research and development activities in your proposed field of research during tenure of the award

• you cannot be registered in a graduate program

Duration and value of NSERC award

• USRAs have a value of $6,000, and the host institution is required to supplement the award.

• The duration of the award is 14 to 16 weeks on a full-time basis.

• The activities conducted during the tenure of the USRA are governed by the agreements, including employment agreements (if applicable), you have with the host institution and the relevant terms and conditions of awards.

• The agency’s contribution is paid directly to the host institution and is included in the funds that you receive.

List of Faculty Members accepting NSERC student applications for Summer 2023

PSYC Department Application Process for NSERC USRA 2023

You must work under the supervision of a faculty member. The Psychology Faculty members listed above are accepting applications for NSERC USRA Summer 2023. Please follow up with them directly via email with your unofficial transcript.

Once you have secured approval from a Faculty member, please complete the PSYC Department Application Form (PDF, 154 KB). Ensure to complete sections A and B. The deadline to submit the fully completed application form the UG office (ug.psyc@queensu.ca) is Friday February 24, 2023 at 6:00pm EST. Please copy your Faculty supervisor when sending in your application.

Once the PSYC NSERC USRA Committee has selected the award nominees, successful applicants will be notified by email starting Friday March 17, 2023.

You will need to formally accept your offer via email to the UG office and complete the necessary documentation/forms required from NSERC (via NSERC application site). The deadline to submit all NSERC documentation/forms is no later than Friday, March 24, 2023 at 4:00pm EST. Please note—this is a very short turn around. If you are selected, you will need to move quickly to meet the deadline by NSERC. This is a “hard” deadline, and cannot be adjusted.