All applications will be submitted through Canvas. Students should self-enroll in the Canvas Course for the award that they are applying for using the links in the Apply section below.
 
Students from other universities who are applying to work with a USask faculty member will submit their applications via email to undergraduate.research@usask.ca.
 
The application includes two forms. One is to be completed by the student, and the other is to be completed by the faculty supervisor.  Students are responsible for uploading all forms to Canvas by 11:59 PM (SK Time) on January 24th, 2025. Students do not need to provide USask Transcripts for this application. If you have taken classes at other universities, you must submit official transcripts from those universities that include a legend. You should not submit transcripts for university courses taken in high school.
 
Only students who are selected for an award will be required to submit their application to the NSERC Portal in March.

1. Review the list of eligibility requirements to ensure that you qualify to apply for and hold a USRA.
2. Identify a professor that you are interested in working with and contact them to discuss research opportunities. Check out our Events and Resources section  for guides on how to talk to a professor about a research position.
3. If the professor agrees to support your application, be prepared to submit your application to Canvas by 11:59 PM (SK Time) on January 24th, 2025! Please note that one of the forms you submit will need to be completed by your faculty supervisor.
4. Self-enroll in the Canvas Course for the Award you want to apply for using the links below. Note only USask students will be able to enroll in the Canvas course.
5. Submit your application as the assignment in your Canvas Course. Students from other institutions will email their completed application to undergraduate.research@usask.ca.

Your application will include:

• Student Application Form.
• If applicable: Additional Scholarships & Other Awards Received pages (only attach if you need more space to list scholarships and awards than was provided in the Student Application Form. Instructions are within the Student Application Form).
• Faculty Mentor Application Form.
• If applicable: If you attended a university or universities other than USask, you will need to upload official transcripts from those universities. If you have only attended USask, you do not need to attach USask transcripts.

• 2025 USRA Student Application Form
• 2025 USRA Faculty Mentor Application Form

Applications will be evaluated with the following criteria: 

• Quality of the Research Experience & Anticipated Mentorship 40% (evaluated based on Faculty Mentor Application form)
• Academic Performance 30% (evaluated based on GPA and GPA by year, transcripts, and awards listed on student application form. (If a student has experienced extenuating circumstances they believe have impacted their academic performance, they should also answer question four on the student application form, as that response will be considered in adjudicating academic performance.)
• Student Research Potential 30% (evaluated based on answers to questions 1 – 3 on student application form)

A detailed rubric has been developed that includes descriptions of how the above criteria will be evaluated. You can review the rubric here or in your Canvas course.

• 2025 Rubric

Results will be shared with students in early March. Students who are selected for NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR USRAs will be required to create an NSERC account and submit their applications to that portal. Sessions will be scheduled to assist students with this process.  
 
Students who are waitlisted for this award will be notified that they have been waitlisted and contacted as soon as possible if any spots open up.

All award recipients will be signed up for the Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) and expected to participate in at least 4 workshops. Students will have the opportunity to present their research at the SURE Summer Symposium in August.

The application portals for each award are separate. Students should select the award that is the best fit for them and only apply for one award. Note: Students who qualify for an NSERC Award for Black Student scholars and apply for that award will automatically be considered for an NSERC USRA Award and only need to submit their application to the Canvas course for NSERC USRA Awards for Black Student Scholars.

If you are an undergraduate student at a different university and are applying for an NSERC, SSHRC, or CIHR USRA to work with a USask faculty member, please email your completed application to undergraduate.research@usask.ca by 11:59 PM (SK Time) on January 24, 2025.

If you have questions about which award you should apply for, contact undergraduate.research@usask.ca.

• 2025 USRA Student Application Form
• 2025 USRA Faculty Mentor Application Form

USask has been allocated 61 NSERC USRAs for our summer 2025 competition. This award is for projects in the natural sciences or engineering.  

Note: Applications must meet the subject matter eligibility criteria for NSERC. Please see Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency for guidance on eligibility.  For  projects that relate to health please also review the Addendum to the guidelines for the eligibility of applications related to health. If the adjudication committee has any concerns regarding application eligibility, the application will be rejected.

• Apply for NSERC USRA

USask can put forward all eligible applications from Indigenous Students for this award. This award is for projects in the natural sciences or engineering. 

Note: Applications must meet the subject matter eligibility criteria for NSERC. Please see Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency for guidance on eligibility.  For  projects that relate to health please also review the Addendum to the guidelines for the eligibility of applications related to health. If the adjudication committee has any concerns regarding application eligibility, the application will be rejected.

Only Indigenous candidates will be considered for this award. For this award, Indigenous includes First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people of Canada.

Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship at the University of Saskatchewan is led and determined by the deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin: Indigenous Truth policyand Standing Committee in accordance with the processes developed to enact the policy. Verification of Indigenous Membership/Citizenship with documentation is a condition of receiving this award.   

• Apply for NSERC USRA for Indigenous Student Researchers

USask has been allocated six NSERC USRAs for Black Student Researchers. Students applying for this award will automatically be considered for one of our 61 NSERC USRAs if they are not selected for one of these awards. This award is for projects in the natural sciences or engineering.  

Note: Applications must meet the subject matter eligibility criteria for NSERC. Please see Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency for guidance on eligibility.  For projects that relate to health please also review the Addendum to the guidelines for the eligibility of applications related to health. If the adjudication committee has any concerns regarding application eligibility, the application will be rejected.

Applying for this award means that you self-identify as Black and that you consent to this information about your identity being shared with NSERC and, if awarded, publicly. 

• Apply for NSERC USRA for Black Student Researchers

USask has been allocated three SSHRC USRAs for Black Student Researchers. This award is for projects in the social sciences or humanities.  

Applying for this award means that you self-identify as Black and that you consent to this information about your identity being shared with NSERC and, if awarded, publicly. 
 
Note: Applications must meet the subject matter eligibility criteria for SSHRC. Please see Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency for guidance on eligibility. If the adjudication committee has any concerns regarding application eligibility, the application will be rejected.

• Apply for SSHRC USRA for Black Student Researchers

USask has been allocated three CIHR USRA for Black Student Researchers.  
This award is for projects in health research. Students enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (MD, DDS, or BScN) are eligible for this award. 

Applying for this award means that you self-identify as Black and that you consent to this information about your identity being shared with NSERC and, if awarded, publicly. 
 
Note: Applications must meet the subject matter eligibility criteria for CIHR. Please see Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency for guidance on eligibility. If the adjudication committee has any concerns regarding application eligibility, the application will be rejected.

• Apply for CIHR USRA for Black Student Researchers