SEOS Undergraduate Award & Scholarship Opportunities

 2025-26 SEOS Research Projects

 

Applications for USRA/SURA/SERA are due to the SEOS office by 4pm Monday Feb 24th, 2025


Application process/procedure for undergraduate awards:

STEP 1: Review the potential 2024-25 SEOS Projects (faculty proposals). Contact faculty members whose research interests you to discuss their project and your suitability. You must secure a supervisor prior to applying. Note: You may approach faculty who have not posted specific projects.

STEP 2: Fill out the SEOS application form (parts 1 & 2 - you; part 3 - faculty supervisor). Submit this to the SEOS office (seos@uvic.ca) along with your CV and unofficial/academic transcript.

STEP 3: If nominated (as an awardee or alternate) by the SEOS Undergraduate Awards Committee, you will be asked to submit a formal award application.
- USRA nominees will complete NSERC application (form 202) and submit their package through the web portal, deadline is normally by mid-March.
- SURA/SERA nominees will complete the Faculty of Science application form and submit their package to the FOS for review. The deadline is normally early March. 

We strongly encourage applications from students from underrepresented groups. NSERC provides supplementary allocations for additional awards for self-identified Indigenous and/or Black student researchers. Please self-identify on the SEOS application form if this applies to you. 

 

NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)


Submit your application (with CV and transcript) by 4pm Monday, February 24, 2025

The objective of the USRA program is to provide research work experience that complements the degree program to encourage students to consider graduate studies and/or a research career in natural sciences and engineering. If you would like to gain research work experience, these awards can provide you with financial support through your host institution. 

The USRA has a value of $6000 and will be supplemented by the research supervisor to comply with Employment Standards. The duration of the award is 14 to 16 consecutive weeks on a full-time basis, starting May 1, 2025 or Sept 1, 2025 or Jan 1, 2026.

 

Eligibility (read more here):

To be eligible for a USRA, a student, at the time of application, must:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
  • Be registered at the time you apply in a bachelor’s degree program at an eligible university; if you are studying toward a second bachelor’s degree, you may still apply.
  • Completed all the course requirements of at least the first year of university study (or two academic terms) of your bachelor's degree by the time you hold the award.
  • Have been registered in at least one of the two terms immediately before holding the award (full or part-time).
  • NOT have started a program of graduate studies in the natural sciences or engineering.
  • USRAs may be held during co-op placements.
  • You may hold only ONE USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) to a maximum of 3 NSERC awards throughout your university career.
  • There is no longer a requirement that students applying for USRAs be enrolled full-time in their program to be eligible to apply.
  • Note: A maximum of one course during the tenure of the award may be taken, if the research supervisor’s approval has been granted with an arrangement to make up any missing time.

 

Science Undergraduate Research Award (SURA)


Submit your application (with CV and transcript) by 4pm Monday, February 24, 2025

The SURA is awarded by the Faculty of Science (endowed by the estate of the late Eva Moody) and is a great alternative to the USRA awards. If eligible, students are encouraged to apply for both the USRA and SURA award, which will increase their chances of success. Please note, while you can apply for multiple awards, you can only accept one of the awards offered.    

The SURA provides $4000 from the Faculty of Science, plus a minimum of $4000 from the research supervisor.

 

Eligibility:

To be eligible for a SURA award, a candidate must, at the time of application:

  • be registered as a full-time undergraduate student in the Faculty of Science at the University of Victoria in the current Winter Session (Sept-April) and be in good academic standing;
  • have completed at least 30 units of course credits toward a BSc degree;
  • have a cumulative GPA of 6.0 or higher.

 

Science Emerging Researcher Award (SERA)


NOTE: SEOS can only award a SERA in even numbered years.

The Faculty of Science has provided funds for awards to students, with emphasis on supporting members of a group with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including but not limited to:

  • First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
  • members of groups that currently or historically experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
  • persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
  • persons who identify as women; and
  • persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.

Students will have shown potential as a scientist in their field as evidenced by a combination of academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and a letter of support by at least one STEM Faculty member familiar with the student, and in light of the barriers the applicant faces.

The SERA for undergraduate students provides $5000 from the Faculty of Science, plus a minimum of $3500 from the research supervisor.

 

Eligibility:

In addition to the above criteria for the SURA award, an applicant for the SERA must belong to one or more under-represented groups as defined by Tri-Agency Dimensions Charter. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit)
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Members of visible minority/racialized groups
  • Members of LGBTQ+ communities
  • Women

Preference for the SERA is given to Canadian or International Indigenous Students.

 

More opportunities listed below and on the Faculty of Science site:

 

Bob Wright Undergraduate Scholarship - Applications due to Science by March 15th.

If you are an undergraduate student in Faculty of Science who has demonstrated your interest in oceans through course work, co-op experience or work experience, consider applying for this scholarship.  The Bob Wright Undergraduate Scholarships were established by Bob Wright, President and CEO, Oak Bay Marine Group of Companies, on behalf of his employees who work at the Oak Bay Marine Group. In establishing these scholarships, Mr. Wright wanted to help more students experience the tremendous benefits of a UVic education and encourage their interest in the oceans.

 

Rob and Tammy Lipson Research Scholarship - Applications due to Science by April 30th.

If you are an undergraduate or graduate student and you have an international research opportunity that you'd like to pursue, consider applying for a Rob and Tammy Lipson Research Scholarship.  This scholarship was established by Rob and Tammy Lipson; Peter Loock is the current Dean of Science. In establishing this scholarship, they hope to help more students gain hands-on research experience in an international setting.