• The Undergraduate Medical Research Bursary (UMRB) is intended for full-time first, second, third-year students from the University of Ottawa or other universities. Eligible students must be studying science or related field.  
• UMRB is a training opportunity and is neither work nor employment.
• Training during the UMRB program occurs in a Faculty of Medicine laboratory in the Roger Guindon Hall building (RGN) or the Peter Morand Buildings (PMC or PMD) at the University of Ottawa under the mentorship of a Faculty of Medicine Professor. 

Duration of the program  

The program period is 16 weeks during the summer and students are expected to be present for training on a full-time basis (35 hours per week) during the summer except for statutory holidays. The 16-week training period includes one week of vacation.

Time commitment 

Students are expected to be present for training on a full-time basis (35 hours per week) during the 16 summer weeks except for statutory holidays. The 16-week training period includes one week of vacation.

• Students are expected to attend the mandatory orientation session on May 5, 2025, and regular training and mentorship events such as laboratory meetings and to meet their Mentor regularly.
• Students are required to complete the mandatory training sessions before they start their training in their Mentor’s lab.  
• In consultation with their Mentor, a student may elect to be trained for only a portion of the summer. The bursary paid to the student will be prorated based on the fraction of the 16-week training period completed.
• Students will coordinate with their Mentor to establish the start and finish date of their summer training as well as their vacation week.

Important: By participating in the program, students agree that this research opportunity is neither work nor employment.
 

International students 

If you are an international student, you must ensure that you continue to meet your visa requirements while participating in the training. If not, you will need to ensure that your visa allows you to remain in Canada for the duration of the training. 

Find a supervisor 

To apply, you need to identify a Faculty of Medicine Supervisor who will accept you in their laboratory for the summer and pay your bursary.

Mentors who offer the UMRB bursary are regular professors in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology or the Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine.

Submit your application form 

You need to submit a completed application form and supporting documentation by the deadline. 

A mentor is a regular faculty member of the Faculty of Medicine. All students participating in the UBRM will be offered a soft-funded research bursary paid entirely from the Mentor’s research funds. 

Value of the bursary

•    1st year undergraduates: $5,000
•    2nd year undergraduates: $6,500
•    3rd year undergraduates: $8,000
 

-    The Mentor will submit the completed application form to the Payroll Office at [email protected].
-    The Mentor must confirm with the student that they completed their mandatory safety training.
-    The Mentor will provide training and mentorship to the student. 
-    A training and mentorship plan is agreed upon between the Mentor and the student.
-    The Mentor agrees that this is a training experience and involves neither work nor employment. Mentors agree that they are NOT the student’s employer by reviewing and acknowledging the statements bellow. 

Please note: 

• I do not assign nor supervise individual work tasks
• I am not responsible for planning work
• I do not decide how work is done
• I do not decide hours of work nor the rate of pay
• I do not set standards of work and determine if work needs to be redone
• There is no performance review

Guidelines, policies and interpretations on the Employer/Employee relationship can be found on the Government of Canada website.