NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)

USRAs 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 univernsity. NSERC encourages qualified Indigenous students to apply for this award.

A USRA is held full-time for 16 weeks and NSERC provides a stipend of $6,000 per award. This must be supplemented by the Western USRA supervisor with a minimun amount of $3,268.

The selection process is done by the institution based on the following three criteria:

  1. Academic record
  2. Research aptitude
  3. Expected quality of the training to be received

Transcripts

If you are a Western student, the transcript you attach to your application must meet the following requirements:

  • Your name, the university's name and the program in which you're enrolled appear
  • Grades up to Dec. 31st of the year preceding the award are included

Western's "Academic Record" format meets NSERC's transcript requirements. You can obtain a copy of your Academic Record by contacting the faculty USRA contacts below. (N.B. you can't access the Academic Record on your own; transcripts such as those printed from a student's account do not meet NSERC's requirements as there is insufficient identifying information.)

If you are undertaking a USRA at Western but your home university is different, you must attach an official transcript from your home university to your online application, including the legend.

Eligibility

Please visit the NSERC USRA overview page for details on student eligibility.

Supervisors

Effective 2020, USRA supervisors no longer need to hold NSERC funding. They just need to be authorized by Western to independently supervise students.

Application

To apply, students must submit their completed application along with a Stipend Supplement Form (signed by their supervisor) to Kylie Willis (kwill97@uwo.ca). 

Deadline

Tuesday, February 20, 2024.