Faculty of Science

Faculty of Science Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs)

Each summer, students have the opportunity to engage with professors in the Faculty of Science and gain firsthand experience in their research labs. These awards are designed to encourage interest in scientific research by providing undergraduate students with meaningful experiential learning opportunities in a research environment. Award recipients will take part in research activities throughout their award period.

Applications for 2027 USRAs will open on January 6, 2027.

Start here

Key details of the awards

  • Student pippeting.

  • Awards list

    There are seven different types of awards for which you may apply:

    • NSERC USRA
    • NSERC Indigenous student researcher USRA
    • NSERC Black student researcher USRA
    • Faculty of Science USRA
    • The Jack Prior Memorial Undergraduate Summer Research Prize
    • The H.D. Gesser Undergraduate Summer Research Prize in Chemistry
    • The Philip Hultin Pedagogy Fund (information provided on a separate webpage)

Timeline of the award

Your summer research position will take place over 16 consecutive weeks beginning in May and ending in August.

Location of tenure

Students may pursue research projects in any department within the Faculty of Science. Supervisors must hold an appointment in the Faculty of Science.

Expected commitment

You will participate in your research experience on a full-time basis, with your daily hours and schedule determined in consultation with your supervisor. 

If you wish to take summer courses, please discuss this with your potential supervisor before applying for an award. 

Professional workshop and poster competition

All award recipients are encouraged to participate in the Faculty of Science lunch hour professional workshops (a minimum of 4 over the Summer Term). Students will have the opportunity to compete in an end-of-summer term poster competition.

Eligibility

Only Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada are eligible for an NSERC USRA, NSERC Indigenous student researcher USRA or NSERC Black student researcher USRA. International students on a study permit are not eligible for any NSERC awards but are eligible for the Faculty of Science USRA and the other awards on this page.

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Student eligibility criteria

  • Cumulative GPA

    • A minimum degree GPA of 3.5 is required for the following awards:
      • NSERC USRA
      • NSERC Black student researcher USRA
      • The Jack Prior Memorial USR Prize
      • The H.D. Gesser USR Prize in Chemistry
    • A minimum degree GPA of 3.0 is required for the following awards:
      • NSERC Indigenous student researcher USRA
      • Faculty of Science USRA 

    Credit hours and course load

    • At the time of application in January, students must have completed at least 24 credit hours of coursework in a bachelor’s program, equivalent to at least one full year of undergraduate study. (Please note that USRAs are intended for students in their second year or higher of study).
    • All Fall Term grades, including those from the final deferred exam period, must be available by the time of application.
    • At the time of application in January, students must be registered in at least 24 credit hours across the Fall and Winter Terms, in any bachelor’s degree program in the Faculty of Science and must remain enrolled in a minimum of 24 credit hours until the end of the Winter Term.

    Departments

    • Students may undertake their research project through any department in the Faculty of Science.
    • Supervisors must currently hold a position within the Faculty of Science.
    • Students wishing to be supervised by faculty members who are not appointed in the Faculty of Science are not eligible for these USRAs. Please reach out to the appropriate faculty regarding other opportunities. 

  • Programs

    • The Jack Prior Memorial USR Prize requires students to be registered in a Faculty of Science Major or Honours program. Eligibility is based on GPA and previous or ongoing community involvement and/or leadership experience.
    • The H.D. Gesser USR Prize in Chemistry requires students to be registered in a Faculty of Science Chemistry or Biochemistry Major or Honours program.
    • Students in the General Science program are eligible for the Faculty of Science USRAs and NSERC USRAs.

    Holding USRAs throughout your degree

    • Students may hold only one university USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).
    • Students may hold a maximum of three USRA awards (NSERC or Faculty of Science) throughout their university career.

To apply for an NSERC Indigenous student researcher USRA, Indigenous students must have self-declared on the University of Manitoba Indigenous Self-Declaration Form.

Additional considerations

  • Co-op students

    • Science Co-op students are eligible to apply for a Faculty of Science USRA (not an NSERC USRA), including during their co-op work term.
    • Co-op students are required to maintain a minimum of 12 credit hours during academic terms.
    • Co-op work terms are considered full-time (equivalent to 12 credit hours).

    Enrollment and graduation

    • Students must be registered and paying fees for the Winter Term (January to April) immediately prior to holding the award.
    • A student in their final year with a declared graduation date must be registered in a minimum of 18 credit hours to be eligible.
    • Students who have applied or will be applying to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies are eligible for a USRA but must not have started their graduate program before the USRA research period has ended.

  • Students from universities other than UM

    • Students from other universities who have supervisors holding an appointment in the Faculty of Science are only eligible for the NSERC USRA, NSERC Indigenous student researcher USRA or NSERC Black student researcher USRA.

    Second degree

    • Students already in possession of a bachelor’s degree who are studying towards a second bachelor’s degree are eligible to hold an NSERC USRA, NSERC Indigenous student researcher USRA or a Faculty of Science USRA, provided they do not hold a higher degree (MSc or PhD) in science.

NSERC awards

  • Further details about the NSERC awards can be found on the  Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada website.  
    • All NSERC USRA application and selection processes are managed by the University of Manitoba. Students cannot apply directly to NSERC.  
    • The University of Manitoba establishes its own eligibility and selection criteria within NSERC’s general guidelines and may apply more restrictive selection criteria than those outlined by NSERC. 

  • Selection of recipients

    • NSERC, NSERC Indigenous student researcher, and NSERC Black student researcher USRAs are ranked based on cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA).
    • Faculty of Science USRA and H.D. Gesser USR Prize in Chemistry recipients are ranked by their department, with additional factors such as year of study and program choice potentially considered.
    • Jack Prior Memorial USR Prize recipients are selected by the Prior family. 

Potential supervisors

Important notes on choosing your supervisor

  • The awards described here are for students to perform research with Faculty of Science supervisors only. If you wish to work be supervised by a researcher at the Max Rady College of Medicine or any other Faculty, please contact their respective Faculty offices directly.
  • Please note that you can apply to more than one Faculty/College (e.g. the Faculty of Science, the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, the Price Faculty of Engineering or the Max Rady College of Medicine), but not to more than one supervisor within the same Faculty or College.
  • Before applying for USRA, please explore the list of potential supervisors and their research interests listed in this section.  You must contact potential supervisors via email to discuss your research interests and, if appropriate, arrange a meeting.
  • A supervisor must agree to support your application before you apply for a USRA.
  • It is recommended that students begin reaching out to potential supervisors beginning in September.

Please visit the Philip Hultin Pedagogy Fund page for more information on supervisors for that fund.

Biological Sciences

Chemistry

Computer Science

Mathematics

Microbiology

Other research-focused faculty members may be available. Please see the Department of Microbiology website for further information.

Physics and Astronomy

Statistics

Awards value

The value of all USRAs for 2026-27 is $9,184 over 16 weeks.

Important dates and deadlines

Applications for 2026 USRAs are now closed.

  • January 6, 2027, to January 31, 2027: Application period
  • End of March: Notification of award results
  • May 3, 2027, to August 20, 2027: Duration of expected work

Application process

Applications for 2027 USRAs will open on January 6, 2027.

Steps to complete before the end of Fall Term

If you would like to apply for an Undergraduate Student Research Award, you should complete these steps before the end of the Fall Term.

  1. Review the eligibility requirements to ensure that you are eligible to hold an award.
  2. Identify some potential supervisors, review their web pages and email the researcher to arrange a meeting to discuss research opportunities in their lab. Students must get pre-approval from the supervisor before submitting their application.
  3. If the researcher agrees to support your application, be prepared to submit the USRA application form in January, once the Fall Term's grades are available.

Tips for emailing potential supervisors

  • Send emails to potential supervisors using your myumanitoba.ca email account.
  • Include a clear subject, such as “USRA inquiry” + the year.  
  • Include your resume and a brief introduction.
  • Provide a brief explanation of why their research interests you.  
  • Ask if they are willing to meet with you to discuss the possibility of becoming your USRA supervisor.  

Remember to keep the email professional and courteous. This is likely how you make your first impression, so make it count! 

Prepare to apply

  • Check your cumulative degree GPA after all Fall Term grades have been confirmed.
  • Have your web transcript ready to upload. These must include grades from the Fall Term immediately before applying. If you are still waiting for final grades in January, please wait until they are available before submitting your application.
  • Have your preferred supervisor identified and confirm that they have agreed to support your application and provide a letter of reference on your behalf before you begin the application process.
  • Decide which award or awards you are applying for and ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.
  • Prepare 1 to 2 sentences describing your proposed area of research.
  • Prepare a statement of why receiving an undergraduate student research award is important to you in approximately 200 words.
  • If you are applying for the Jack Prior Memorial Undergraduate Summer Research Prize, prepare a written description of your community involvement and/or leadership experience in approximately 300 words.
  • You should submit your application at least 2 days before the due date and notify your supervisor so that they have time to complete their recommendadion prior to the due date.

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Contact us

Alison Tayler
Awards Lead
Alison.Tayler@umanitoba.ca