Science Awards & Scholarships

 

NSERC USRA 2024-25 Award Opportunity

 

Submit your application by 4pm Monday February 15, 2024 

 

2024-25 SEOS projects

These awards are meant to nurture your interest and fully develop your potential for a research career in the natural sciences and engineering. They are also meant to encourage you to undertake graduate studies in these fields. If you would like to gain research work experience that complements your studies in an academic setting, these awards can provide you with financial support through your host institution. NSERC encourages qualified Indigenous students to apply for this award. See the Indigenous applicants section below for more details.  The USRA has a value of $6000 (increase as of Summer 2021) plus supervisor's contribution (minimum $1500). Students must complete a 16-week consecutive research term. The USRA can count as a co-op work term.  Note:  A maximum of one course during the tenure of the award may be taken, if the research supervisor’s approval have been granted with an arrangement to make up any missing time.

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.
Application Process/Procedures:
  1. Review the potential 2024-25 SEOS Projects (faculty proposals).
  2. Contact Faculty members whose research interests you to discuss their project and your suitability. You may approach faculty who have not posted specific projects
  3. There may be specific USRA funding for students of Indigenous ancestry. Please self-identify on the SEOS cover sheet if this applies to you. 
  4. Submit the SEOS application that includes the application cover sheet, your CV, and a letter detailing your research interests and suitability for one of more SEOS projects. 
  5. Top students and alternates will be nominated by the SEOS UG Awards Committee. 

 

Science Undergraduate Research Award (SURA)

A fund endowed by the estate of the late Eva Moody provides a number of research awards each year to undergraduate students, including one additional SURA for a self-declared Canadian or International Indigenous student. The award provides $4,000 from the Faculty of Science plus a minimum of $4,000 from the research supervisor. Application here. Applications due to the SEOS office 4PM Thursday February 15, 2024. 

 

Science Emerging Researcher Award (SERA)

An anonymous donor 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 award for undergraduate students provides $5,500 from the Faculty of Science plus a minimum of $3,500 from the research supervisor. Application here. Applications due to the SEOS office 4PM Thursday February 15, 2024.

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

  • be registered as a full-time student for a BSc degree in the Faculty of Science at the University of Victoria in the current Winter Session (Sept-April);

  • have completed at least 30 units of course credits toward a B.Sc. degree by the end of the Fall term prior to submitting an application;

  • intend to continue full-time undergraduate studies in the term immediately following the research project (only applies to SURA applicants);

  • have a cumulative GPA of 6.0 or higher for all courses completed at the time of application.

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.