Frequently asked questions about USRAs
This page is for students and proposed research supervisors applying to the USRA program.
On this page
General questions
- Where can I find guidance on which granting agency (NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC) to select for my USRA application?
- Do the eligibility and selection criteria differ for NSERC, CIHR and SSHRC USRAs?
- How can I apply for a USRA?
- Whom should I contact if I have questions about the program?
- I am registered part time at the institution. Am I eligible to apply for a USRA?
- I am graduating from my undergraduate degree. Am I eligible to hold a USRA after the completion of my degree requirements?
- I have completed my undergraduate degree but have not yet begun graduate studies. Am I eligible to apply for a USRA?
- I am a student at a foreign institution. Am I eligible to apply for a USRA?
- Is it possible to apply for a USRA with more than one department or institution?
- During the tenure of the award, what is the maximum number of courses that I can be enrolled in?
- Am I allowed to hold a USRA while I am completing my fourth-year thesis?
- Am I eligible to hold an award for less than 14 weeks?
- Can USRA recipients take sick leave or vacation during the work term?
Completing Part I of form 202 (to be completed by the applicant)
- I applied for a USRA last year and would like to reapply this year. How do I create a new form (Part I of form 202)?
- Where can I find guidance regarding transcripts?
Completing Part II of form 202 (to be completed by the proposed research supervisor)
- Am I eligible to supervise a USRA holder?
- Is there a limit to the number of students one person can supervise?
- Is co‐supervision allowed?
- Do research supervisors need to be on site while their students hold a USRA?
- Can I send a USRA holder to work with my colleagues at a different institution during the tenure of their award?
General questions
1. Where can I find guidance on which granting agency (NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC) to select for my USRA application?
Select the agency whose mandate most closely aligns with your research area. You must also ensure that you are submitting your application to an institution that has an allocation for your selected agency. Note that at the present time, CIHR and SSHRC awards are exclusively for Black student researchers. For further details, refer to the Selecting the appropriate federal granting agency and the Undergraduate Student Research Awards allocations web pages.
2. Do the eligibility and selection criteria differ for NSERC, CIHR and SSHRC USRAs?
Most of the eligibility criteria for USRAs are the same across the agencies. One notable exception is the fact that, at the present time, CIHR and SSHRC USRAs are exclusively for Black student researchers. The same selection criteria apply to all agencies. For further details, refer to the USRA program description web page.
3. How can I apply for a USRA?
You must complete form 202 via NSERC’s online system. Read the instructions carefully to ensure that the form is properly completed. Also refer to the USRA program description web page before completing your application.
4. Whom should I contact if I have questions about the program?
Your first point of contact must be the liaison officer (LO) at the institution where you intend to apply. This will ensure that all requirements set by the institution are met. The institution conducts an internal selection process, has its own internal deadlines and may have additional eligibility requirements.
For general information about the USRA program, policies and guidelines contact NSERC by email at usra-brpc@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.
For post-awards inquiries
- to CIHR, contact support-soutien@cihr-irsc.gc.ca
- to SSHRC, contact fellowships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca
5. I am registered part time at the institution. Am I eligible to apply for a USRA?
Yes, part-time and full-time students are eligible to apply to the USRA program as long as they are registered in a bachelor’s degree program and meet all other eligibility criteria.
6. I am graduating from my undergraduate degree. Am I eligible to hold a USRA after the completion of my degree requirements?
Yes, you can hold a USRA following the completion of your degree, provided you have not yet started your graduate studies and you meet all other eligibility criteria. You must be registered at the time of application.
7. I have completed my undergraduate degree but have not yet begun graduate studies. Am I eligible to apply for a USRA?
No, you must be registered in a bachelor’s degree program at an eligible institution as of the deadline date for applications at the institution.
8. I am a student at a foreign institution. Am I eligible to apply for a USRA?
If you are Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), and are registered at a recognized institution outside of Canada as of the deadline date, you may apply to a Canadian institution with an allocation for a USRA.
9. Is it possible to apply for a USRA with more than one department or institution?
Yes, you can apply with more than one department or institution, but you can hold only one USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31). Awards must be held at the institution where the offer of award originates.
10. During the tenure of the award, what is the maximum number of courses that I can be enrolled in?
You may take a maximum of two courses during the tenure of the award, if you have your research supervisor’s approval. Requests for exceptions should be submitted to NSERC through the LO. Credits obtained for a co-op placement during the USRA are permitted.
11. Am I allowed to hold a USRA while I am completing my fourth-year thesis?
Award holders are not permitted to do thesis research during the term of their award. It is permitted to use data generated during a USRA as the basis of a thesis, so long as registration in the thesis course starts after the USRA is held.
12. Am I eligible to hold an award for less than 14 weeks?
Only under exceptional circumstances outside the student’s control will shorter work terms be considered. The request must be made directly to the LO at the institution where you wish to hold the USRA and a justification must be provided.
13. Can USRA recipients take sick leave or vacation during the work term?
The USRA program makes no provision for sick leave or vacation, or for any other types of interruptions. Contact your LO and supervisor if there are special circumstances that prevent you from completing your work term. Should a USRA be interrupted or terminated early for any reason, the agencies must be informed immediately.
Completing Part I of form 202 (to be completed by the applicant)
14. I applied for a USRA last year and would like to reapply this year. How do I create a new form (Part I of form 202)?
If you have already applied using Part I of form 202, you must use the same form for your next application. Update the form to reapply and don’t forget to update your transcripts.
15. Where can I find guidance regarding transcripts?
Refer to the instructions for details on the transcripts section of the application. If you require further information, contact the LO at the institution where you wish to hold your award.
Completing Part II of form 202 (to be completed by the proposed research supervisor)
16. Am I eligible to supervise a USRA holder?
Provided you are authorized by your institution to independently supervise students, the agencies consider you eligible to supervise USRA holders. You must be approved by your institution to supervise a USRA student.
17. Is there a limit to the number of students one person can supervise?
There is no limit imposed by the agencies; however, we support the institution’s decision to have a reasonable number of USRA students working under one person at the same time.
18. Is co‐supervision allowed?
Yes; however, only one person can complete Part II of form 202. Co-supervision of a student can be mentioned in the Research proposal section of the application. There is no other place in the application where it can be indicated.
19. Do research supervisors need to be on site while their students hold a USRA?
The agencies expect the research supervisor to be present for the majority of the period of the award. It is acceptable for the research supervisor to delegate supervision for short periods to other faculty members, experienced technicians, postdoctoral fellows or doctoral students. Remote work is acceptable with supervision expected on a frequent basis.
20. Can I send a USRA holder to work with my colleagues at a different institution during the tenure of their award?
The agencies permit USRA holders to spend a portion of time away from their host institution, including outside of Canada. Students are not permitted to spend the entire period of their award away from their host institution if not in the company of their supervisor.
