Call for 2023 NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards

The call for applications for the UPEI 2023 NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) competition is attached (and posted here).   

Please note that the USRA program description will be updated on January 19, 2023. Any relevant updates and UPEI’s quota allocations will be circulated as soon as this information is made available. Applications from self-identified Indigenous and Black student applicants may be submitted above the institution’s quota.    

NSERC form 202 part I (students) and part II (supervisor) will be closed from January 16, 2023 to January 19, 2023 to allow required updates to the NSERC online system. 

IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF 2022 COMPETITION  

Based on updated recommendations from NSERC, recipients of USRAs at UPEI will be paid by an hourly rate as employees, rather than stipend awards. The NSERC award amount is $6000, and supervisors will be required to provide a top-up amount to ensure compliance with UPEI student pay rates based on 16 weeks of full-time employment. 

REMINDERS 



NSERC no longer requires professors to hold an active grant when applying to supervise a USRA student. NSERC considers anyone who is authorized by their university to independently supervise students to be an eligible supervisor. The suitability of the supervision will be evaluated as part of the award selection process.  UPEI is now limiting supervisors to submitting ONE application. 



The proposed research must be in an area of natural sciences or engineering supported by NSERC. Please consult the following documents for additional clarity:   

• Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency  
• Addendum to the guidelines for the eligibility of applications related to health  

INFORMATION SESSION  

 An information session will be held on Friday, January 27, 2023, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm via Zoom. Students and supervisors are encouraged to attend. Please email researchservices@upei.ca to RSVP and to obtain the zoom link.  

UPEI DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF COMPLETE APPLICATION: February 17, 2023 by 4:00pm