This scholarship is a rare chance to step into real research from the very beginning of your university journey instead of waiting until upper years. Students are already in labs before their first semester even starts, learning to work with scientific equipment and running experiments.

“Coming out of high school, I was able to jump right into research through the Undergraduate Research Scholarship program at uOttawa and I was able to look at brain development in zebrafish.”

- Kevin (2^nd year Honours BSc in Biomedical Science)

“My research journey began with the URS program… That was the best opportunity I had to get into research as soon as possible after high school.”

- Christopher (2^nd year Honours BSc in Physics-Mathematics) 

One of the greatest benefits of the URS program is how rapidly it allows you to explore the world of research and gain insight into its day-to-day reality. Students can discover what areas ignite their curiosity and better understand which career path they might want to pursue.

Maika, a biomedical student passionate about neurodegenerative diseases, explains:

“This scholarship gave me the opportunity to realize that there are other paths in the medical field besides becoming a doctor, and it really helped me determine that I am deeply interested in research. Thanks to this experience, I am now considering applying to an MD–PhD program in the future.”

According to Christopher, “It will let you know if research is actually something you want to do.” 

The URS program places students in a real research environment, where many opportunities begin to take shape. This collaborative setting accelerates growth and fosters meaningful connections with professors and peers that often lead to mentorship and valuable networking that unlocks future opportunities in research, scholarships, internships, or industry.

Beyond the mentorship and hands-on experience, URS scholars receive $5,000 for the first summer and $6,500 for the second term, which means you can focus entirely on your research.