To be eligible to apply, you must meet the following criteria:

• you must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), as of the deadline date for applications at the institution
• you must be registered, as of the deadline date for applications at McMaster, in a bachelor’s degree program at McMaster University
• you must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 9.0 (certain departments may have higher GPA requirements)
• you cannot be currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., MD, DDS, BScN)
• you cannot be currently registered or have been previously registered, at any time, in a graduate program in the same field of study
• you cannot have completed all your degree requirements

In addition

• if you already hold a bachelor’s degree and are studying toward a second bachelor’s degree, you may still apply for this award
• you may hold only one USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31)
• you may hold a maximum of three USRAs throughout your undergraduate career (regardless of the granting agency)

To hold an award

• you must have completed all the course requirements of at least the first year of study (or two academic terms) of your bachelor’s degree
• you must have been registered in a bachelor’s degree program at the time of application and in at least one of the two terms immediately before holding the award
• you must be employed full time in eligible research and development activities in your proposed field of research during tenure of the award
• you cannot be registered in a graduate program

Notes:

• You may hold an award at any time during the year as permitted by your academic program.
• Tenure may start on a date acceptable to both you and your host institution.

NSERC and the Faculty of Science at McMaster University recognize that Black and Indigenous students encounter systemic (historical, social, and/or environmental) barriers to equitable access, representation, opportunities, and resources with respect to research and post-secondary education.

NSERC has made additional USRA positions available for self-identified Indigenous and Black applicants. From the NSERC guide on integrating EDI considerations in research: “NSERC is acting on the evidence that achieving a more equitable, diverse and inclusive Canadian research enterprise is essential to creating the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to respond to local, national and global challenges.”

NSERC also states in the FAQ about the Black scholars funding that “these new funds will help address the disproportionate underfunding of Black scholars at all stages of their careers. This support for Black scholars will help strengthen efforts to break down barriers and address inequities as laid out in the Tri-agency EDI Action Plan for 2018–2025. In turn, this will contribute to making Canada’s research culture more equitable, diverse and inclusive, and to augmenting Canada’s innovation potential.”

In addition, NSERC is committed to answering “the Calls to Action of the TRC with the creation of a national dialogue with Indigenous communities to co- develop an interdisciplinary Indigenous research and research training model that contributes to reconciliation.” (Source: Strengthening Indigenous Research Capacity Strategic Plan)

If you would like to be considered for a USRA for Black and/or Indigenous scholars, you will be asked to select one or both of the self-identifying statements below on your application. Note each Department/School has slightly different application deadlines and procedures. See the “Application Procedure” tab for details.

(1) I identify as a Black person.
(2) I identify as an Indigenous person (First Nations, Inuk (Inuit), or Métis).

Statement of collection: This information will be kept confidential and will only be used to determine whether the application will be recommended to NSERC. There will be no public disclosure or distinction of NSERC USRA awarded to students self-identified as Black or/and Indigenous. Students may choose not to self-identify, and will still be considered for the NSERC USRA competition. For any questions/concerns about what it means to self-identify on this application, please reach out to Sara Cormier at the Office of Undergraduate Research (email: pmour@mcmaster.ca).

Awards are valued at $6000 + a minimum of $3268 from the contributing department (for 16 weeks).

The duration of the award is 14-16 weeks, during which the student is considered a full-time employee working in research.

Note that NSERCs are allowed during a co-op placement.  

To apply, please contact the department in which the supervisor you had in mind is appointed. Clicking on the hyperlinked deadline will take you to the application instructions for each Department/School. Please keep in mind that each department sets its own application deadline and procedure.

NSERC Faculty of Science Contact Information