Undergraduate Student research awards (USRA)

1. Check that you meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Determine which type of USRA you should apply for:
   1. Canadian citizen or permanent residents should apply for the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award
      See full eligibility requirements on NSERC’s website  
      
   2. International Students should apply for the SFU VPR Sciences Undergraduate Student Research Award
      For more information see ‘Choosing USRA’ summary
3. Interested and eligible students should contact the proposed supervisor to discuss research projects.

Students may take a maximum of 2 courses while holding a USRA.

NSERC USRA

Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents should apply to the NSERC USRA (not the VPR USRA).  Eligible SFU students who apply for an NSERC USRA and are not offered an award will automatically be considered for a VPR USRA Sciences award.

NSERC USRA APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Fill out Form 202, Part 1 on-line, including uploading copies of your transcripts (SFU students can provide unofficial transcripts, non-SFU students must provide official transcripts)
   1. When you submit your application, the system will generate a reference number.  Provide this reference number to your proposed supervisor.
   2. Print a copy (or save pdf) of your application.
2. Ask your proposed project supervisor to complete Form 202, Part 2 of the online application using the reference number you provided.
   1. Please ask your proposed supervisor to send you a copy of the completed part 2.
3. Navigate to the Biology Undergraduate Scholarship Application Site*:
   1. Select: ‘NSERC USRA’ from the list of awards
   2. Enter your contact information.
   3. Upload a copy of your complete application which includes a copy of the following (combined as a single pdf):
                      i.     Form 202, Part 1
                     ii.     Form 202, Part 2
                    iii.     A current transcript
   4. For the referee please enter your supervisor’s last name but instead of their email address please enter biscugra@sfu.ca.  Only one referee is needed.  (If the supervisor prefers to provide Part 2 directly to Dept. use their email address)
      

*Non-SFU students can email a copy of their completed application and transcripts to biscugra@sfu.ca.

Please ensure your application is submitted via the NSERC portal and a copy is uploaded to the Biology Scholarship Application Site by the application deadline.

VPR USRA APPLICATION PROCEDURE

1. Complete the following sections on the VPR-USRA Application form (found on the Dean of Graduate Studies' VPR USRA Page):
   1. Applicant Information
   2. Award Information
   3. Academic Background (attach current unofficial transcript)
   4. Signature of Student
2.  Ask your proposed project supervisor to complete the second half of the VPR application form and return the completed form to you.
3. Navigate to the Biology Undergraduate Scholarship Application Site:
   1. Select: ‘VPR USRA’ from the list of awards
   2. Enter your contact information.
   3. Upload a copy of your application which includes a copy of the following (combined as a single pdf):
                i.    VPR USRA Application form (both pages complete/signed)
               ii.    A current transcript
   4. For the referee please enter your supervisor’s last name but instead of their email address please enter biscugra@sfu.ca.  Only one referee is needed.