NSERC administers the USRA program and the application process on behalf of the three agencies. NSERC, CIHR and SSHRC applications follow the same process.
Important:
- When applying for funding, you must complete the self-identification questionnaire found on the eConsole page by selecting Maintain user profileunder Account Management. If you don’t want to self-identify, you can select “I prefer not to answer” for each question but you must select a response to complete the questionnaire.
- CIHR and SSHRC USRAs are exclusively for self-identifying Black students. You must choose CIHR or SHHRC.
- Self-identifying Black and Indigenous researchers will be recommended for awards above the University’s quota and applications will not be compared to applications within our mandatory quota. There’s no institutional quota for self-identifying Black and Indigenous student researchers.
- A $5,000 supplement by the Canadian Forest Sector Workforce Diversity Undergraduate Supplement is available if you receive a USRA. Learn more about the Canadian Forest Sector Workforce Diversity undergraduate supplement
Submit the following documents via NSERC’s online application system:
- Form 202, part I:
To be completed by the student, through their personal account on NSERC’s online application system. Once Part I is completed, the student will receive a reference number, which must be forwarded to the professor. A student may submit only one application per year while at the University of Ottawa. If the student has previously applied to NSERC using Form 202, the student must use the same form for this application. Prior to doing so, the student must be sure to first update the form (including updated transcripts).
- Form 202, part II:
To be completed by the professor supervising the research, from his or her own account on NSERC’s online application system. Parts I and II of the form are linked by the professor using the reference number provided by the student and are submitted online.
- Please note: the project start date must be between May 1, 2023, and June 1, 2023. This must be accurately inputted in the Form 202, part II to be considered an eligible project. If your proposed dates aren’t accurate, your application will not be accepted.
- It is the responsibility of the supervising professor to submit a project in the field of natural sciences or engineering (NSE). If NSERC judges that the project does not fall within NSE fields the professor may be asked to submit further clarification or incur the full costs of the award.
- Transcripts:
All transcripts must be combined into a single PDF file. Formatting for margins, spacing, font and page numbers are outlined in NSERC’s online presentation and attachment standards (do not apply to the transcript file).
- University of Ottawa students: Transcripts in PDF format from uoZone are accepted. An official transcript may be required at a later date if you are granted the award. If you have also attended another university, please include a scanned copy of your official transcripts from that institution, including the legend on the back.
- Students from other universities: Official transcripts scanned into a single PDF file, including the legend on the back of each transcript.
Submit the following documents via email to [email protected]:
- Student’s resumé:
The resume must include sections on education, awards and research experience. Maximum two pages in length. Please note that students do not need to have research experience to receive the award.
- Statement of interest:
The student must explain why they want to participate in the proposed research project and the link to their professional goals. Maximum 250 words.
- Student’s must submit their resumé and statement of interest in a single email and confirm that they have completed their application in the NSERC portal.
NOTE: Your application will be processed once the complete admission package and all required documents are received. Applications will not be accepted if they’re incomplete (Form 202 Part I, Form 202 Part II, Transcript, Resumé, Statement of Interest).