Research

Take advantage of this amazing opportunity to do research at the undergraduate level. The goals of the NSERC USRA program are:

• To stimulate interest in natural sciences and engineering
• To provide career-related work experience for the award recipient/student
• To provide students with financial support

Eligibility

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• Minimum cumulative average 68%
• Must have completed at least your first year

Please familiarize yourself with the award and the full eligibility requirements through the information found on the UBC NSERC USRA webpage.

Work Terms

The Faculty of Applied Science is provided with a quota of NSERC USRAs annually for the UBC Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.

A USRA can be held during the following terms:

• Summer (May 1 to August 31)
• Fall (September 1 to December 31)
• Winter (January 1 to April 31)

There is one application deadline per academic year.

How to Apply

Find a professor who is willing to hire and supervise you for a research project. Due to the recent changes made by NSERC, both eligible grant holders and non-grant holders can apply for the NSERC grant. Non-grant holders will require approval from their specific departments. 

A list of School of Engineering faculty with research foci can be found here.

• Use this Resource Document to find a professor
• NSERC – List of Research Subject Codes for Scholarships and Fellowships

The NSERC USRA application process for the Faculty of Applied Science is two-fold.

1. Complete and submit Form 202 on the NSERC website.

Please refer to the NSERC USRA Checklist for Common Errors and the resources provided under the ‘Additional Information’ section to ensure you have completed the form correctly:

• Part I Example (to be filled by the student)
• Part II Example (to be filled by the supervisor).

2. Follow the department-specific instructions to apply:

• School of Engineering – UBC Okanagan
• Form 202 Part 1 (student application) and Form 202 Part II (supervisor application) and all supporting documents must be downloaded and submitted digitally to soe.advising@ubc.ca (subject line: NSERC USRA Application) for vetting by the application deadline below. If approved to move forward, you will be formally nominated to NSERC on the school’s behalf. You will not be considered unless you complete both applications.
• New to 2024: To ensure the committee has all the information to select the best students, applicants must now also complete the NSERC USRA SOE Supplemental Information Form and submit it with their package. 
• New to 2024: To help students navigate the application, we have created an optional Checklist. 

Please not that these are the instructions to work with professors from the Faculty of Applied Science. If you are interested in working with a professor from another faculty, please refer to the corresponding faculty/school contacts.

Deadlines

Applications must be submitted to the School of Engineering directly by February 28, 2024.

Additional Information

Here are some important reference tools and required documents for students, supervisors, and coordinators that will help to explain application procedure, ensure the applicants are eligible, and that they complete the application correctly:

• NSERC USRA Info for Faculty Coordinators/Potential Supervisors/Students
• UBC NSERC USRA webpage

For further questions, please email soe.advising@ubc.ca

Application Deadline: February 21, 2024 -  9:00AM

Value: $10,000 plus up to $1,500 for research related expenses 

The international undergraduate student research award (IUSRA) program supports international and undergraduate students to pursue innovative and original research as part of their learning experience while studying at UBC’s Okanagan campus. This award, offered through your faculty in partnership with the International Student Initiative, provides international undergraduate students an exceptional learning experience through engagement in research over the summer months. Students completing 75 credits by summer each year are eligible to submit proposals through their faculty for the award. Limited awards are available. 

See IUSRA Information 2024, including eligibility, terms and conditions, and criteria) and the IUSRA Application Form 2024, which must be submitted by your supervisor before the deadline. 

Note: Updated award application forms are posted each January. 

Contact soe.advising@ubc.ca if you have questions.