Undergraduate Student Research Awards Program

The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs) are meant to nurture undergraduate student interest and fully develop their potential for a research career in health, natural sciences and engineering, or social sciences and humanities. These competitive awards are also meant to encourage undergraduate students to undertake graduate studies by providing research work experience that complements their studies in an academic setting.

Without exception, USRAs are tenable only at eligible Canadian institutions with an assigned allocation. Awards must be held at the institution where the offer of award originates.

Please note the following important eligibility criteria:

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR):
  • Exclusive to Black student researchers
  • Health fields of study
• Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC):
  • Exclusive to Black student researchers
  • Social sciences, humanities and arts fields of study
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC):
  • All students (applications are particularly encouraged from Indigenous and Black student researchers)
  • Natural sciences and engineering fields of study

Award Value

For the 14 to 16 week duration of positions held between May 1 and August 31, 2025, the total value of the award ranges from:

• 14 weeks: minimum amount of $8,428
• 16 weeks: minimum amount of $9,632

The minimum values correspond to minimum wage in Ontario.

Students will receive 4% vacation pay, as per the Ontario Employment Standards (ESA). Students are not eligible for paid days off/vacation days. The program makes no provisions for sick leave or for other types of interruptions. Should sick or vacation leave be incurred during the employment period, the student needs to ensure they worked their total number of hours by the award end date.

Should a USRA be interrupted or terminated early for any reason, the Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services (CORIS) should be informed immediately. Positions may not be deferred.

Award Duration

• The duration of the award is 14 to 16 weeks on a full-time basis (35 hours per week).
• USRAs are tenable at any time during the year as permitted by your academic program and faculty, and agreed upon by student and supervisor.
• Students may be enrolled in a maximum of 1.0 credit during the tenure of the award, if special arrangements to make up the time have been made with the supervisor (for courses scheduled during business hours).
• A maximum of 0.5 credit is allowed in early summer, and 0.5 credit in late summer.
• Recipients are not permitted to do thesis research during the term of the award. It is permitted to use data acquired during a USRA as the basis of a thesis, provided registration in the thesis course starts after the USRA employment is completed.
• USRAs may be held during co-op placements.
• Remote work is acceptable with supervision expected on a frequent basis. This must be agreed upon between the student and supervisor.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

To apply for an award, you must, as of the deadline date for applications at Carleton:

• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or Protected Person under subsection (95)2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada);
• Be registered in a bachelor’s degree program at an eligible institution; and
• Have obtained, over the previous year(s) of study, a second class Overall CGPA. This translates into a B-/7.0 at Carleton.

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

To hold an award, you must:

• Have completed all the course requirements of at least the first year of university study of your bachelor’s degree;
• Have been registered in at least one of the two terms immediately before holding the award, in a bachelor’s degree program, whether part-time or full-time (study abroad is permitted within this rule, provided you were registered in a bachelor’s degree program);
• Not be registered in a graduate program; and
• Be working full-time in eligible research and development activities in your proposed field of research.

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 agency).

You may find it helpful to review the frequently asked questions about USRAs.

Ineligible Applicants

You are not eligible to apply for a USRA if you:

• Are currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., MD, DDS, BScN) (does not apply for CIHR USRAs);
• Are currently registered or have previously been registered in a graduate program in the same field of study; or
• Have completed all your degree requirements by the deadline date for applications at Carleton.

Eligible Supervisors of USRA Students

Any faculty member who is authorized to supervise undergraduate students at Carleton in the relevant discipline is eligible to act as a supervisor. It is not necessary for the supervisor’s research program to fall exclusively within the purview of the selected agency.

Faculty Award Decisions

CIHR and SSHRC USRA: CORIS will inform applicants of award decisions after adjudication. No feedback is provided to the applicants.

NSERC USRA: Each faculty will inform applicants of award decisions after completion of the selection process.

Payment of Awards

CIHR, SSHRC and NSERC pay the awards to Carleton.

Successful candidates will receive payment from the university in accordance with its pay procedures (twice per month). Students who have not been employed by Carleton before will need to fill out an Online Employee Intake Form.

Supervisors communicate their funding information directly to their faculty contact:

• Arts and Social Sciences: Sarah Mohammed
• Engineering and Design: Tom Morrice
• Science: Maria Doria
• Or for CIHR and SSHRC USRAs: Christine Rivas

After completing the Online Employee Intake Form (if applicable), no further action is required by the student or the supervisor with regards to payroll. The university will issue a T4 or T4A slip (Statement of Income) at the end of the calendar year.

Application Process and Deadlines by Council

Please click the relevant link to read about the application process and GOOD LUCK with your application!

Contact Us

CIHR and SSHRC USRA: Christine Rivas

NSERC USRA: