Transcript SRA U Information Session Melissa Ireland and Charity Parr-Vásquez | Jan. 10, 2013 What is the NSERC USRA? Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are meant to.

SRA
U
Information
Session
Melissa Ireland and Charity Parr-Vásquez | Jan. 10, 2013
What is the NSERC USRA?
Undergraduate Student Research Awards
(USRA) are meant to stimulate your interest in
research in the natural sciences and
engineering. They are also meant to encourage
you to undertake graduate studies and pursue a
research career in these fields.
• Amount: total of at least $5625 for 16 weeks
during the summer semester
– $4500 from NSERC
– At a minimum $1125 from the supervisor
• Deadline: Application must be submitted to
the supervisor’s home Department by January
21, 2013 (this does not apply to Aboriginal
students)
Eligibility
Faculty
• Must hold an active NSERC research grant
(e.g., Discovery, CREATE, Strategic, Research
Partnerships) at the time of application
• Faculty members whose research grants
terminated on March 31, 2012, but who
received an extension to use up the remaining
funds from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013,
will be eligible to supervise
Eligibility
Students
• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
of Canada;
• be registered in a bachelor's degree program
at an eligible university when you apply; and
• have obtained, over the previous years of
study, a cumulative average of at least a B
Eligibility
Students
• You may hold only one USRA per fiscal year
(April 1 to March 31).
• You may hold a maximum of three USRAs
throughout your university career.
• have completed at least the first year
• not have started a program of graduate
studies
How to apply?
• Student must first identify a supervisor who is
willing to support their application
• Must be complete form 202 using the online
system
• Part I must be completed by the student and
Part II must be completed by the proposed
university research supervisor
• Provide a letter from the supervisor indicating
willingness to support the student
How to apply
• Parts I and II must be printed off and
submitted to the Department, along with a
copy of the student’s transcript by Monday
January 21, 2013
• Transcripts do not need to be official3,
provided that department staff and/or
supervisors print off a Banner copy
3Note
that the applications which are forwarded to NSERC will require official
transcripts
Important links
http://www.nserccrsng.gc.ca/OnlineServicesServicesEnLigne/Index_eng.asp
http://www.nserccrsng.gc.ca/OnlineServicesServicesEnLigne/instructions/202/e.asp
Decision Process
• Each department must rank-order all USRA
applications they receive.
• A committee will be formed to select the
successful candidates.
• Decisions by the committee will be based on GPA
and rank by the department
• A total of 16 USRA applications will be submitted
to NSERC
Aboriginal Students
• There are no restrictions on the number of
Aboriginal* students we can but forward to
NSERC
• Same eligibility requirements as nonAboriginal students
*For the purposes of this program, NSERC uses the Canadian Constitution Act,
1982 definition of Aboriginal as including the Indian, Inuit, and Métis peoples
of Canada.
Application process
• Aboriginal students do not have to submit
their applications to the Department.
• Applications must be submitted directly to
Charity Parr-Vasquez , ORS, by February 15,
2013.
Aboriginal Ambassadors in the Natural Sciences and
Engineering Supplement Program
• This supplement program is available to
Aboriginal persons who hold an USRA
• Up to $5,000
• Application deadline: Minimum of two
months before start of activity
– Can hold up to four months after held USRA
What is it?
• The AANSE supplement aims to engage
Aboriginal students and fellows in promoting
interest and participation in the natural
sciences and engineering by visiting Canada’s
Aboriginal communities and schools and
sharing their research and education
experiences or participating in science
promotion events and activities.
What expenses are covered?
•
•
•
•
travel (air, rail, car rental, taxi, etc.);
accommodation (hotel, etc.);
meals;
material and supplies needed for
demonstrations or experiments; and
• incidental expenses (photocopying, faxes,
etc.).
How to apply?
• A one- to two-page proposal
• A detailed budget
• A letter of reference from your supervisor, or
other faculty member within your institution;
• A copy of documentation confirming your
Aboriginal status; and
• A copy of the Terms and Conditions of
Applying Form signed by the applicant.
Application Assistance
Dr. Charity Parr-Vasquez, Research Facilitator for the Natural
Sciences – [email protected], x4662
Aboriginal Students
Ms. Melissa Ireland, Aboriginal Student Support Co-ordinator
(Waterloo Campus)- [email protected] x4190