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External Spring/Summer Research Opportunities

Explore exciting research opportunities through the Office of Undergraduate Research! Our program offers a wide range of both external and internal research experiences that will ignite your curiosity and provide invaluable hands-on learning opportunities.

Expandable List

AzumaFellowshipPoster

TRIUMF has launched a new summer undergraduate fellowship for students at our Member Universities. The  Richard E. Azuma Fellowship is named after long-time University of Toronto Professor Dick Azuma, a key contributor to TRIUMF‘s  science program and a powerful advocate for equity in the workplace. The Fellowship is aimed at:

students who are known amongst peers and teachers as exceptional individuals with a demonstrated track record of talent, passion, and leadership. The Azuma Fellowship is seeking not only students with stellar undergraduate records, but also those with diverse backgrounds, collaborative spirit, creativity, and other attributes that will set them apart as future researchers.

Two Fellowships will be awarded each year to students in the summer before their final year before graduation.The intent here is to expose these students to TRIUMF‘s science program before they start applying for grad schools in the fall. Fellows will have the opportunity to choose from a carefully selected list of unique paid research opportunities. Travel to and from Vancouver, as well as a one-week stay at TRIUMFHouse, will be reimbursed. Fellows who later elect to attend graduate school at one of TRIUMF’s Member Universities will be eligible for a $5000 entrance scholarship. (to date, two Azuma Fellows have accepted the entrance scholarship.)

To fulfil TRIUMF‘s values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and commitment to our Strategic Plan, the Azuma Fellowship seeks to actively recruit members of underrepresented groups who have experienced historically and/or current barriers to equity.

Information from IQC:

Undergraduate School on Experimental Quantum Information Processing (USEQIP) – May 26 to June 6, 2025

Start the summer with a two-week introduction to the theoretical and experimental study of quantum information processing, including 30 hours of hands-on time in the labs. You will get the opportunity to interact with students from around the world and work with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and IQC faculty members. USEQIP is offered at no cost to students. Accommodations and meals are covered, and you can also apply for travel bursaries.

Learn more about USEQIP from past participants Julia, Thomas and Morgan about what it’s like to be part of this unique training experience for undergraduate students, and how it shaped their academic journey.

Undergraduate Research Award – all summer
After gaining a foundational understanding of quantum information science and technology at USEQIP, you have an opportunity to spend the summer with IQC through an Undergraduate Research Award (URA). During your URA, you will work with one of IQC’s researchers on innovative theoretical techniques or advanced laboratory experiments.

Not only will you enhance your research experience and prepare for your graduate studies and research career, but you will get the chance to attend IQC seminars, lectures, and student talks. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in an interdisciplinary research community, spanning mathematics, computing science, physics, chemistry, and engineering.

Apply before Friday, January 3, 2025. *References are due Wednesday, January 8, 2025
You can choose to apply only to USEQIP or to apply for both an Undergraduate Research Award and USEQIP.

  • To apply to both, click the apply button. Complete the application and check the appropriate box for the Undergraduate Research Award.
  • To apply for USEQIP only, click the apply button. Complete the application but do NOT check the box for the Undergraduate Research Award.

The SSuRe Program offers undergraduate students a unique opportunity to collaborate with Research Institute (RI) scientists on a summer research project, providing professional and career development. Spanning 15 weeks from May to mid-August, the program hosts a range of activities to enhance the students’ research experience. Weekly seminars, conducted by esteemed Hospital and RI scientists, provide valuable insights and knowledge in various fields. Additionally, a Career Night event allows students to network with research staff from different departments within the RI, fostering connections and exploring potential career paths. The program also culminates in the annual Summer Student Symposium, where students have the chance to showcase their research projects. Exceptional projects are recognized with awards, celebrating the students’ outstanding contributions to the scientific community.

To learn more, visit the SickKids Summer Research (SSuRe) Program page.

Sunnybrook Research Institute offers a Summer Student Research Program that provides undergraduate students with a unique hospital-based research experience and showcases the postgraduate environment as a prospective career. The program, which runs from May to late August, starts with an orientation to SRI, and is followed by regular seminars whereby leading faculty talk about their research. In August, students present their work at the Summer Student Poster Competition.

To learn more, visit the Sunnybrook Research Institute

 

The Hurvitz Brain Sciences Summer Student Research Program offers undergraduate students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a hospital-based research program. Summer studentships typically run from May to September of each year, culminating in an end of summer studentship Presentation Day. Students will also be able to attend regular seminars led by Sunnybrook Research Institute whereby leading faculty talk about their research

To learn more, visit the Hurvitz Brain Sciences Summer Student Research Program 

DojoGrants provides funding for students who are curious, self-motivated, and ambitious, helping them excel in their biotech and life science careers. Their commitment is to create equal opportunities for all, supporting low-income students and underrepresented minority groups who may face barriers in pursuing research. It is an opportunity to partake in a research project that is U.S. based.

To learn more, visit the DojoGrant page.

Operation Wallacea (Opwall) is a network of academics from European and North American universities, who design and implement biodiversity, conservation management, and climate change research programs.

If you are enthusiastic and interested in wildlife conservation and climate change research, you can join Opwall’s 2024 or 2025 summer expeditions as a Research Assistant! Relatively few people have field experience working alongside real research projects and the Opwall research program offers the opportunity to work with wildlife conservation scientists in the field.

Opwall field surveys are divided into biodiversity research expeditions, biodiversity and climate change field training courses, and wildlife and culture experiences. These expeditions involve clusters of scientists and field biologists running a series of wildlife research projects at biodiversity hotspots and publishing their results.

 

Opwall is recruiting undergraduate students to participate in our 2 to 6-week summer research expeditions at biodiversity hotspots worldwide, including the following destinations: 

South Africa: Savannah Research and SCUBA Diving in the Indian Ocean 

Perform research in one of the most endangered biodiversity hotspots in the world! Conduct research on African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and rhinoceros in Gondwana or Somkhanda! Complete an African wildlife conservation and management course. Also, perform bird point counts and assist with vehicle-based large mammal distribution surveys throughout the reserve. Be involved in analyzing camera trap data for elusive species such as lions and hyenas. Additional option to complete an Introduction to Applied Conservation GIS course available to contribute to Opwall’s long-term biodiversity data collection!

Afterward, SCUBA dive at the UNESCO World Heritage site, iSimangaliso Wetland Park. At our Sodwana Bay Diving Centre and complete a PADI Open Water diving training course or an Indian Ocean reef ecology course with practicals by SCUBA diving or snorkeling.

Watch our South Africa Expedition Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQDy-37RLeQ

Information on our South Africa Expedition: https://www.opwall.com/location/south-africa/

Honduras: Tropical Rainforest Research and SCUBA Diving in the Caribbean Sea 

Begin your expedition in the spectacular cloud forests of Cusuco National Park, which is ranked in the top 50 most irreplaceable biodiversity sites in the world! Learn about the ecology of the cloud forests and their conservation importance alongside a large team of scientists focusing on forest structure and carbon storage capacity, butterfly trapping, amphibian, and reptile transect surveys, bird point count and mist net surveys, fungi surveying, large mammal surveys from camera trapping and bat surveys from mist-netting and sound scaping!

Afterward, complete your expedition at either the Tela Marine Research Centre or on Utila Island where your focus will be on Caribbean coral reef ecology and conservation. You will have the opportunity to complete a PADI Open Water dive training course if you would like to learn and aren’t already qualified, as well as a compulsory Caribbean reef ecology and marine survey techniques course with practicals done by SCUBA diving or snorkeling. These are Opwall’s largest marine research sites and are home to our pioneering efforts to integrate technological solutions into the monitoring and study of coral reefs, including our 3D computer modeling method, use of robots to survey reefs beyond the limits of SCUBA diving, and stereo-video fish surveys to estimate biomass.

Watch our Honduras Expedition Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5K9hdOdr80

Information on our Honduras Expedition: https://www.opwall.com/location/honduras/

 

Mexico: Tropical Rainforest Research and SCUBA Diving in the Caribbean Sea 

Complete research at a series of tropical rainforest camps across the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, learn about the Ancient Maya and Mayan Jungle ecology alongside practicals in biodiversity survey techniques and help scientists conduct research on a series of key wildlife species. Learn how to conduct real-world research on bats, birds, primates, large mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, forest structures, jaguars, and ungulates! 

Afterward, attend our marine research site in Akumal, which is part of the Mexican Caribbean Biosphere Reserve. If you are not already dive trained, you can spend your first week at this center completing a PADI Open Water dive training course, before moving on to the Caribbean reef ecology course in your next week. This course consists of lectures, and morning and afternoon in-water practicals, and trains you in some of the survey techniques used in the marine environment to assess the status of reefs and their associated fish communities. If you are already dive-trained or just want to snorkel your first week is on the Caribbean reef ecology course and the second would be spent working with different researchers on-site. Projects you will join include monitoring sea turtle abundance, sea turtle grazing of seagrasses, and seagrass biomass in Akumal Bay.

Watch our Mexico Expedition Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4kFL5eb10M

Information on our Mexico Expedition: https://www.opwall.com/location/mexico/

WHY JOIN? 

  • Get involved with active research projects – over 600 papers published to date 
  • Expeditions to some of the most remote and stunning places worldwide 
  • A focus on environmental education and conservation 
  • No prior experience or knowledge is needed – just an interest in the world around you 

 

KEY BENEFITS! 

  • Build your résumé 
  • Gain experience in field research 
  • Training in SCUBA, survey techniques, and jungle skills 
  • Huge range of projects 
  • Contribute to active research and conservation 

 

OPERATION WALLACEA DATES & FEES

Expedition Dates & Fees: https://www.opwall.com/undergraduate-research-assistant/university-expedition-dates/

Operation Wallacea Fee Includes: 

  • All travel from the designated start point of the expedition (as described in the brochure and on the website), between the various sites on the expedition (with the exception of Madagascar, Ecuador and the Galapagos, and South Africa), and to the designated end point of the expedition
  • Food and accommodation on your expedition
  • Participation in all the field research projects and training courses on-site (excluding canopy access and dive training beyond PADI Open Water level) 
  • Where the described program includes SCUBA diving or snorkeling, the booking includes diving or snorkeling, dive training to PADI Open Water level, and marine equipment needed (excluding a wetsuit)
  • Medical and safety support, and full operational support during the expedition.

FURTHER INFORMATION: 

Please contact Operation Wallacea’s representative Nathan Adams (nathan.adams@opwall.com) to discuss your options to join us in the summers of 2024 or 2025! 

Nathan Adams B.Sc. (Hons) (Melit.), M.Env.Sc, LEED GA

Operation Wallacea | WhatsApp/Cell:+1 613 558 2799 www.opwall.com| www.youtube.com/opwall

The Chalmers Astrophysics and Space Science Science Summer (CASSUM) Research Fellowship program for undergraduate / master students is now accepting applications for summer 2024.

The website listing various projects is here:
http://cosmicorigins.space/cassum  

Projects will involve an in-person visit to Chalmers Univ., Gothenburg, Sweden for at least part of the 10-week program.

If you advise undergraduate / master students who may be looking for such research opportunities, please encourage them to apply to the program.

The application deadline is 15th Feb. 2024.

Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre is a world-class teaching and research facility located on the outer west coast of Vancouver Island.

The Fields Undergraduate Summer Research Program (FUSRP) welcomes carefully selected undergraduate students from around the world for a rich mathematical research experience from mid-June to mid-August.

This competitive initiative matches a group of up to five excellent students with faculty from Fields Principal Sponsoring or Affiliate Universities, visiting scientists, or researchers in industry.

Students accepted for the program will have most of their travel and on-site expenses covered by the Institute. Most of the program’s funding supports student expenses and all student placements are based at Fields.

Timeline: Student Applications will be open Mid-December 2024 to Mid-January 2025. Selected candidates will be contacted starting mid-February.

 

The Queen’s Mathematics Summer School is open to undergraduate and Masters students who are interested in spending one week learning exciting, cutting-edge mathematics on the beautiful campus of Queen’s University by the shores of Lake Ontario. There will be three courses, each with 9 hours of lecture time over the week.

Student application deadline: March 31, 2024

The annual Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) in Astronomy & Astrophysics at the University of Toronto is a unique opportunity for undergraduate students in astronomy, physics, or engineering to prepare for a career in scientific research.

The program typically runs from May to August. Throughout the program students have the opportunity to:

  • Experience what a career in research is like by independently conducting a project related to on-going astronomical research at U of T
  • Collaborate with U of T astronomers
  • Improve their research writing and communication skills
  • Learn about research being conducted at  U of T

Students work with astronomers from the Dunlap Institute or the David A Dunlap Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics depending on their research interest, choice of research project, or supervisor.

SURP offers students an opportunity to work at the leading centre for astronomical research in Canada, at the leading research university in the country.

SURP is open to students who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and would like to apply, you must:

  • be a full-time student at the University of Toronto; or
  • be a full-time student in a Canadian university and have an off-campus work permit; or
  • have a work permit allowing you to work with the University of Toronto

You can still apply if you have participated in the U of T Astronomy & Astrophysics SURP in previous years.

If you have any questions, please email the astro SURP committee.

As an example of the kind of work done by SURP students, research posters from SURP 2023 can be found here.

Applications received on or before January 31, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST will receive full consideration. Please note that applications submitted later than January 31 will be accepted on a rolling basis via email until all positions are filled.

Apply here.

The Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care at Baycrest (Ontario CLRI) is excited to announce that this summer, we will once again be offering our Virtual Interprofessional Internship in Innovation & Aging in Long-Term Care! This program is open to students and recent graduates of post-secondary healthcare programs and is an exciting opportunity to explore a future in older adult health care, network with future and current health-care providers, and shape clinical practice.

This paid program runs from May 27, 2024 – June 21, 2024 with applications accepted from February 12, 2024 – March 8, 2024. For more information on the application process, please visit https://clri-ltc.ca/events/internship2024/ 

The 2024 Internship will be completely virtual, offering interns opportunities to actively participate in small group learning focused on aging, clinical issues in gerontology, and interprofessional competencies. Working collaboratively, interns will develop a better understanding of aging and develop competencies in seniors’ care through daily interaction in a simulation and game-based app. In addition, interns will have the opportunity to engage with residents, Baycrest leaders and participate in an innovative project. For more information on the program, and to watch a testimonial video from our alumni, please visit https://clri-ltc.ca/resource/internship/

Ontario CLRI Internship flyer

uOttawa Summer School at the Faculty of Science brings together advanced undergraduate (3rd and 4th years) and early master students in mathematics, life sciences, physics, computer sciences and chemistry enrolled in Canadian universities.
Our objective is to expose students to a wide variety of scientific ideas in biology, physics, AI, mathematics and chemistry, highlighting topics that are not traditionally taught in undergraduate programs across Canada. The selected students will have the opportunity to learn new concepts, techniques, and ideas.

The summer school attendees will have the chance to meet fellow students from all over Canada and abroad. They will have the opportunity to network with many uOttawa professors and graduate students, discovering more about their research and experience the life of a graduate student.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Ottawa this summer!

Best regards,
Organizing committee of the uOttawa Summer School

Join us June 23–July 11 at Bently University in Massachusetts, USA, for the Wolfram Summer School! This three-week program offers a unique opportunity for students, educators, researchers and entrepreneurs to collaborate with exceptional mentors—including Stephen Wolfram. Through the experience, attendees will join a vibrant ecosystem of talented innovators tackling the challenges of tomorrow.

Embrace the unique chance to work on real-world projects with leading tech architects, researchers and physicists. Connect with a global community of talented students, educators and professionals, all carefully chosen from a broad spectrum of fields. Enhance your journey by exploring our Summer School Projects Archive, a testament to the creativity and innovation of past cohorts, and envision the possibilities that lie ahead.

Explore our unique tracks—including Science and Technology, Wolfram Physics and Foundational Science, Philosophy and Strategy, NKS and Ruliology,and Educational Innovation—to find the one that is right for you!

Admissions are on a rolling basis and spots fill quickly.

Apply Now

Objectives: The mathematical institutes in Canada have joined forces to offer annual summer schools geared toward women and underrepresented groups in mathematics and related sciences. The first school will be at Dalhousie University in Summer 2024.

The goals of the summer school are two-fold. First, to introduce students to research level mathematics and second, to encourage more female and female-identifying students to pursue graduate school in the mathematical sciences. The research theme of the 2024 summer school will be Combinatorial Commutative Algebra, as described below. By introducing the advanced mathematics in a supportive and engaging environment, we aim to give students the tools and the support structure that will enable them to thrive in graduate school.

Synopsis: The main tools to study zero sets of polynomials using algebraic tools come from Commutative Algebra. When the polynomials have only one term – monomials – one can use methods from combinatorics, topology, linear programing and more to study their algebraic properties. The development of such techniques, going back to the 1960’s and still a vibrant area of research today, is the focus of the field of Combinatorial Commutative Algebra.

Our school will introduce some of these ideas to the participants via concrete examples and problems. We will cover topics including: edge ideals of graphs, Hilbert functions, computational commutative algebra and discrete homotopy theory.

The school will also include panels, discussions of graduate school, academic and nonacademic jobs and issues facing women in mathematics in general. We will have morning lectures, afternoon tutorials and mini-topics.

We are seeking applications from female and female-identifying students who have finished at least two years of an undergraduate degree in the mathematical sciences.

Required background: Applicants having successfully completed a Honour’s-level proof-based course in linear algebra will be given full consideration. A third-year course in algebra covering rings and ideals will be considered an asset.

Applicants should submit transcripts, and arrange for a letter of recommendation addressing their potential to benefit from this school.

Funding: We will cover room and board as well as travel expenses for all participants.

Application Deadline: March 30, 2024 via this link.

Summer School Poster

In an effort to provide an experiential learning environment and create collective consciousness towards sustainability for a better tomorrow, we are organizing a Summer School on Sustainable Nanotechnology from June 19 – 21, 2024, at the University of Waterloo.

We have only limited spots for this Summer School. Undergraduate students (anyone from the second year of STEM discipline) are eligible to apply.

Selected students will receive an honorarium of $500, on-campus free accommodation and all meals covered during the Summer School.