1. NSERC Award/ Lab Research Position Info-session

2. Why do research? Learn practical skills
Gain insight into a research career/ graduate school
Build relationships
Earn money

3. NSERC Awards Work in industry Work in an university- setting 2 Types:
Industrial Undergraduate Student Research Award (IUSRA)
Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA)
Work in industry
Supervision of a full-time staff member
Work in an university- setting
Supervision of a faculty member with an active NSERC award
Attain research work experience in a non-university setting while receiving financial support through the host organization
Considered employee of organization during that time
Eligibility, award duration and compensation similar to USRA award
Except the minimum number of weeks is 12

4. Eligibility To apply for an award: To hold an award:
Canadian citizen/permanent resident when apply
Registered in a bachelor’s degree
Minimum cumulative average of 75%
To hold an award:
Completed 1-year of study
Registered full-time in the term before the award
NOT have started a graduate program in these fields
Be engaged throughout the tenure of the award
not professional undergraduate degree
75% = B or B-

5. Award Duration and Compensation
16 consecutive weeks
Full-time basis with start/end dates determined by you and your supervisor
Award is a value of $4500 provided by NSERC
Rest (at least 25%) supplemented by host university
Total = $5600 +
No reimbursement will be given for part-time work or vacation time

6. Finding a Supervisor Must hold an active NSERC grant
List of eligible Biology supervisors found online
Must notify Stefani Tichbourne when supervisor is found;
List of eligible Medical Science supervisors can be obtained by Joan Estabrooks in MSB 138
Full supervisor criteria is available on the NSERC/USRA site
Other faculties:
Ivey Business School: Carly Vanderheyden
Faculty of Health Sciences: Gord MacDonald
Faculty of Social Sciences:
Geography - Lelanya Milley
Psychology - Professor Scott MacDougall-Shackleton
Faculty of Science: Pam Brown
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry: Stacey Bastien
Faculty of Engineering: Whitney Barrett

7. USRA Application Process
Form 202 -Part I (student)
Registration with NSERC online system
Submit unofficial Western Transcript
Reference number received must be given to Proposed Supervisor
Form Part II (proposed supervisor)
Brief project proposal in which the student role is clearly specified

8. IUSRA - Application Process
Form Part I (Student)
Complete form
Send Reference Number generated to the host organization
Upload your official transcript
Form Part II (Organization)
Organization will complete form using Reference Number given

9. Application Package Form 202: Part I and II
Access to Academic Records 2017
Student Statement Form 2017
Resume (1-2 pages)

10. Student Statement Form
Posted on the Western Biology and Schulich’s Department websites
Applications now include a written statement (250 words max)
Importance of this award to the student
Include a brief project proposal in which the student role is clearly specified
Relevant work or volunteer experience
Research interests, etc.
What is the purpose of this form?
In previous years award recipient selection has been entirely dependent on marks
Have found that too few USRA recipients are going on to pursue graduate studies

11. To be Submitted Faculty Location Date Biology
NCB 301D to Stefani Tichbourne
Monday, January 9th, 2017
Medical Sciences
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Clinical Skills Building, 2720
Friday, January 23rd, 2017 at 4pm
Can apply to other universities, besides Western
General USRA deadline for Western is January 29, 2016

12. Publish with WURJHNS Student Run, Peer Reviewed, Open Access
Run by Western Students for Western undergraduate students to publish their research
Reviewed by trained students and FACULTY members
Articles and submission types are all found on the WURJHNS website

13. Questions ??
Want a copy of this presentation? BUGS website: WURJ website:
Remember that al information can be found on the NSERC website