NSERC USRA

2024 NSERC USRA and UTEA Psychology Undergraduate Summer Research Awards

Departmental Deadline: March 15, 2024

Applications are now open for the University of Toronto's Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs). USRAs are designed to foster students' interest and cultivate their potential for a research career in health, natural sciences, or social sciences. These awards also aim to promote future graduate studies by offering valuable research experience that enhances academic learning. Please encourage your students to apply!

Awards Available

  1. NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA).
  2. UofT Excellence Awards (UTEA)

Award Value

  • Awards are valued at a minimum of $7500 through a combination of NSERC/University and Department funds. Students can be paid more than $7500; any additional top-up is the responsibility of the supervisor
  • Psychology has been allocated 2 guaranteed NSERC USRA awards. Self-identifying Indigenous and Black students are funded above and beyond this allocation by NSERC. (Full details available here)
  • The department can nominate up to 14 candidates for the UofT Excellence Award (UTEA), but there is no guarantee of the number of awards given to Psychology students. (Full details available here)

Duration of Award16 consecutive weeks

University of Toronto Mississauga administers this program in the summer months only, between May 1st and August 30th.

  • No provisions for sick leave, vacation or other interruptions of awards. Should a work term be terminated early, NSERC must be informed immediately through the Office of Research Services.
  • Awards may NOT be deferred. All efforts must be made to give awards to students who can complete or commit to a 16-week work term.

Eligibility

  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
  • Registered either full-time or part-time (at the time of application) in a bachelor's degree program in at least one of the two terms immediately before holding the award. NSERC, however, expects that full-time students will hold most awards.
  • Self-identifying Indigenous and Black students are funded above and beyond this allocation by NSERC (provided the application is approved by the Agency).
  • Must have obtained, over previous years of study, a cumulative average of at least second class (a grade of B or B‐) CGPA of 2.7 to 3.0
  • Must have completed, at least time of application, a minimum of two academic terms. (1st year students are ineligible)
  • Graduating students, in the term immediately following the completion of their undergraduate program requirements, as long as they have not started a program of graduate studies.
  • Be engaged on a full‐time basis in research and development activities in the natural sciences or engineering during the award tenure.
  • MUST find an eligible supervisor

Application Process

  • All supervisors and candidates must complete the 2024 UTEA Application Form.
  • Students applying for Summer Undergraduate Research Awards are automatically considered for both UTEA and URSA (when eligible) awards.
  • Email completed application forms to utmpsych.utm@utoronto.ca.
  • Indigenous, Black, and the next two highest eligible NSERC URSA nominees (and their supervisors) will be asked to complete applications on NSERC’s online system.

Questions?

Please email utmpsych.utm@utoronto.ca