{"id":1618,"date":"2014-11-20T11:10:24","date_gmt":"2014-11-20T17:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/?page_id=1618"},"modified":"2026-10-27T15:46:47","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T20:46:47","slug":"nserc-usra-general-information","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/scholarships-awards\/nserc-usra-general-information\/","title":{"rendered":"BU USRA Submission Requirements &amp; General Information"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class='post-1618 float'><h2>Important Links<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/files\/USRA-Procedures_2026.pdf\">BU USRA Procedures (updated 2026)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/files\/USRA-Supervisor-Form-2026.docx\">Supervisor Statement of Support Form<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/files\/USRA-Student-Form-2026.docx\">Student Personal Statement Form<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/files\/USRA-salary-calculator-2026-2027.xlsx\">BU USRA Payroll Calculator<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/files\/USRA-application-package-checklist.pdf\">BU USRA Application Package Checklist<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/files\/USRA-evaluation-rubric-2026.pdf\">BU USRA Evaluation Rubric<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/files\/BU-USRA-Report-Form-2026.doc\">BU USRA Report Form<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca\/Students-Etudiants\/UG-PC\/USRA-BRPC_eng.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USRA Program Description (NSERC website)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ebiz.nserc.ca\/nserc_web\/nserc_login_e.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NSERC Online System login (existing users)<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ebiz.nserc.ca\/nserc_web\/nserc_register_e.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NSERC Online System Registration (new users only)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/aside><h2>What is a USRA?<\/h2>\n<p>An Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) is meant to stimulate a student\u2019s interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering (NSERC), social sciences and humanities (SSHRC), or health studies (CIHR). \u00a0It is also meant to encourage graduate studies education and the pursuit of a research career in these fields. \u00a0The USRA allows a student to gain research work experience that complements their studies in an academic setting; it can provide a student with financial support through Brandon University.<\/p>\n<p><em>Please note that the complete NSERC USRA program description, along with the application and instructions can be found on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca\/Students-Etudiants\/UG-PC\/USRA-BRPC_eng.asp\">NSERC website<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>USRA Allocation<\/h2>\n<p>Each institution receives an allocation of applications (by Agency) that can be forwarded for funding. Confirmation of allocations is normally received from the agencies by January of the award year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>NSERC<\/strong> provides unlimited additional awards above the institutional allocation for <strong>Indigenous students, <\/strong>and provides a supplementary allocation for additional awards for <strong>Black student researchers<\/strong>.\u00a0Both groups are encouraged to self-identify through the application process. There is no limit on the number of Black student researchers that can be offered an award within BU\u2019s allocation; the regular allocation of awards will support applicants from all underrepresented groups, including Black student researchers.<\/p>\n<p>SSHRC and CIHR have made a limited number of SSHRC and CIHR USRA awards available for <strong>students of Black heritage<\/strong>. Students must self-identify to be eligible to apply for these awards and submit applications through the NSERC portal.<\/p>\n<p><strong><u>At the present time, CIHR and SSHRC USRAs are exclusively for Black student researchers. \u00a0NSERC USRAs are open to all students.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Refer to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca\/Students-Etudiants\/UG-PC\/USRA-Allocations-BRPC-Quotas_eng.asp\">Undergraduate Student Research Awards allocations<\/a>\u00a0web page for a list of allocations by institution and by agency.<\/p>\n<h2>Value &amp; Duration<\/h2>\n<p>The NSERC\/SSHRC\/CIHR portion of the award is $6,000 and the supervisor will contribute supplemental funding to provide a total salary equivalent to that of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/hr\/collective-agreements\/\">PSAC RAII level<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A USRA is to be held for 14 to 16 consecutive weeks between April &#8211; August on a full-time basis (35-hour work week).\u00a0 The start date is to be decided on between student and supervisor.<\/p>\n<h2>Application Deadline<\/h2>\n<p>The deadline for USRA application submission is <strong>February 1<\/strong>.\u00a0 Where the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the following business day.\u00a0 Students are encouraged to consult with their supervisors, as supervisors may set an earlier deadline for the student portion of the submission.<\/p>\n<h2>Student Eligibility<\/h2>\n<p><strong>To Apply for an Award an Applicant Must:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Must be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada);<\/li>\n<li>Must be registered, at time of application, in a bachelor\u2019s degree program at an eligible university;<\/li>\n<li>Have obtained, over the previous years of study, a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.7;<\/li>\n<li>Cannot be currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., MD, DDS, BScN) (does not apply to CIHR USRAs);<\/li>\n<li>Cannot be currently registered, or have been previously registered at any time, in a graduate program in the same field of study; and<\/li>\n<li>Cannot have completed all your degree requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong><em>In addition, an Applicant:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Who already holds a bachelor\u2019s degree and is studying toward a second bachelor\u2019s degree, may still apply for this award;<\/li>\n<li>May apply with more than one department or institution, but can hold only one USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31); and<\/li>\n<li>May hold a maximum of three USRAs throughout their undergraduate career (regardless of the granting agency).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>To Hold an Award an Applicant Must:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Have completed all the course requirements of at least the first year of university study (or two academic terms) of bachelor\u2019s degree (30 credit hours). First year students are eligible to apply for this award and must fulfill the aforementioned course requirements prior to award uptake;<\/li>\n<li>Have been registered in at least one of the two terms immediately before holding the award in a bachelor\u2019s degree program at an eligible university;<\/li>\n<li>Not be registered in a graduate program; and<\/li>\n<li>Be engaged on a full-time basis in research and development activities in the natural sciences or engineering (NSERC), social sciences or humanities (SSHRC), or health studies (CIHR) during the tenure of the USRA.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Supervisor Eligibility<\/h2>\n<p>In order for a student to undertake an Undergraduate Student Research Award, they must work under the full-time supervision of a faculty member who is NSERC-, SSHRC-, or CIHR-eligible. \u00a0The supervisor must agree to work with the student and, therefore, students are encouraged to contact potential supervisors as early as possible with their request.<\/p>\n<p>Eligible supervisor are defined as someone who holds or has a firm offer of an academic appointment at Brandon University. The appointment can be a tenured, or tenure-track; or a term or contract position.<\/p>\n<p>Supervisors must also be able to contribute a minimum of additional funds toward the USRA student\u2019s salary, as outlined in the Supplemental Funding section below.<\/p>\n<h2>Subject Matter Eligibility<\/h2>\n<p>Each agency supports and promotes high-quality research in a variety of disciplines and areas, which are divided into broad fields of research: NSERC supports research in natural sciences and engineering, SSHRC supports research in social sciences and humanities, and CIHR supports research in health. The selection of the appropriate agency is based on the subject matter of the proposed research project. Please refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.gc.ca\/site\/science\/en\/interagency-research-funding\/policies-and-guidelines\/selecting-appropriate-federal-granting-agency?OpenDocument\">Selecting the appropriate federal granting agency<\/a> web page for more information.<\/p>\n<h2>Supplemental Funding<\/h2>\n<p>In order to meet <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.mb.ca\/labour\/standards\/doc,minimum-wage,factsheet.html\">Manitoba minimum wage standards<\/a>, and to ensure equity with comparable undergraduate research assistant work, Brandon University requires that students receiving a USRA are provided with a total salary equivalent to that of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/hr\/collective-agreements\/\">PSAC RAII level<\/a>. As the USRA award values $6,000, a minimum amount of supplemental funding must be contributed to achieve that level of funding in relation to a full-time, 35-hour work week. There is no maximum contribution, and supervisors are encouraged to contribute as much as they are able and as they deem appropriate.<\/p>\n<h4>Brandon University Contribution \u2013 Black and Indigenous Students<\/h4>\n<p>To promote and support both Brandon University\u2019s and the USRA program\u2019s commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, Brandon University will contribute 50% of the required minimum supplemental funding for Black and Indigenous students, which includes Black and Indigenous NSERC USRA awardees, and SSHRC and CIHR awardees. The USRA supervisor is required to provide at minimum the remaining 50%.<\/p>\n<p>At the time of the application deadline, supervisors must provide a statement in their Letter of Support confirming that they have the minimum required funds to contribute towards the required USRA student salary top-up. The source of funds must be included to determine eligibility. Unconfirmed funds and funds from BURC grants are not eligible sources. A non-exhaustive list of potential eligible sources includes NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR grants (see below for list of current grant holders); non-Tri-Agency external grants; and Professional Development funds.<\/p>\n<p>Please refer to the below tables for the estimated* 2027 salary rates, or use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/files\/USRA-salary-calculator-2026-2027.xlsx\">USRA Payroll Calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>NSERC Allocation USRA salary calculations<\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"582\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"5\" width=\"582\"><strong>2027 Competition Year <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"0\"><strong>Number of Weeks<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"0\"><strong>Total PSAC RAII Salary (35 hrs\/wk x $18.97*\/hr x # wks)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"0\"><strong>NSERC Contribution<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"0\"><strong>Supervisor Minimum Contribution<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"72\"><strong>14<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"137\">$9,295.30<\/td>\n<td width=\"92\">$6,000.00<\/td>\n<td width=\"143\">$3,295.30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"72\"><strong>15<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"137\">$9,959.25<\/td>\n<td width=\"92\">$6,000.00<\/td>\n<td width=\"143\">$3,959.25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"72\"><strong>16<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"137\">$10,623.20<\/td>\n<td width=\"92\">$6,000.00<\/td>\n<td width=\"143\">$4,623.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Black and Indigenous student USRA salary calculations<\/strong><\/p>\n<table width=\"582\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"5\" width=\"582\"><strong>2027 Competition Year <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"0\"><strong>Number of Weeks<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"0\"><strong>Total PSAC RAII Salary (35 hrs\/wk x $18.97*\/hr x # wks)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"0\"><strong>CIHR\/NSERC\/SSHRC Contribution<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"0\"><strong>Brandon University Contribution<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"0\"><strong>Supervisor Minimum Contribution<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"72\"><strong>14<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"137\">$9,295.30<\/td>\n<td width=\"92\">$6,000.00<\/td>\n<td width=\"137\">$1,647.65<\/td>\n<td width=\"143\">$1,647.65<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"72\"><strong>15<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"137\">$9,959.25<\/td>\n<td width=\"92\">$6,000.00<\/td>\n<td width=\"137\">$1,979.63<\/td>\n<td width=\"143\">$1,979.63<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"72\"><strong>16<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"137\">$10,623.20<\/td>\n<td width=\"92\">$6,000.00<\/td>\n<td width=\"137\">$2,311.60<\/td>\n<td width=\"143\">$2,311.60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>*Based on April 1, 2027 PSAC salary rates. Please refer to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/hr\/collective-agreements\/\">current PSAC Collective Agreement<\/a> for updated rates.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Note for Supervisors:<\/strong>\u00a0 Any or all applicants that you agree to supervise could potentially receive an award and therefore it is important that you are aware of this possibility and prepared to support them all.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>A Complete Application<\/h2>\n<p>A complete USRA application package includes the following:<br \/>\n1. Form 202 Part I \u2013 to be completed by student (uploaded to NSERC online system);<br \/>\n2. Form 202 Part II \u2013 to be completed by supervisor (uploaded to NSERC online system);<br \/>\n3. University Transcripts &#8211; (uploaded to NSERC online system);<br \/>\n4. Supervisor Statement of Support form &#8211; emailed to the <a href=\"&#109;&#x61;&#x69;l&#116;&#x6f;:&#104;&#x65;&#x72;r&#106;&#x40;b&#114;&#x61;&#x6e;d&#111;&#x6e;u&#46;&#x63;&#x61;\">USRA Liaison Officer<\/a>; and<br \/>\n5. Student Personal Statement form &#8211; emailed to the <a href=\"&#x6d;&#97;&#x69;&#108;t&#x6f;&#58;h&#x65;&#114;&#x72;&#x6a;&#64;&#x62;&#114;a&#x6e;&#100;&#x6f;&#x6e;u&#x2e;&#99;a\">USRA Liaison Officer<\/a><br \/>\n6. For Students who have previously held a USRA, the final report form must have been received at the conclusion of the most recently completed USRA project, and will be included in the evaluation package provided to the SRC.<\/p>\n<h2>Submission Process<\/h2>\n<p><strong>1. Form 202 Part I and Part II<\/strong><br \/>\nUSRA applications are completed and submitted via the <a href=\"https:\/\/nserc-crsng.canada.ca\/en\/funding\/online-application-systems-and-tools\/online-services\">NSERC On-line System<\/a>.\u00a0 Please see the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca\/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne\/instructions\/202\/USRAExperience-BRPCExperience_eng.asp\">NSERC Instructions for Completing an Application &#8211; Form 202<\/a> for complete details.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. University Transcripts<\/strong><br \/>\nAn electronic version of your transcripts may be requested from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/finance\/student-resources\/transcript-requests\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Registrar&#8217;s Office<\/a>.\u00a0 Requests for official BU transcripts can be made through <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/finance\/student-resources\/transcript-requests\/\">Financial &amp; Registration Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Supervisor Statement of Support Form<\/strong><br \/>\nThe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/files\/USRA-Supervisor-Form-2026.docx\">Supervisor Statement of Support Form<\/a> must be provided by the intended supervisor. The statement of support should address the student\u2019s academic excellence, research potential, and evidence of leadership.\u00a0 Supervisors who have more than one student applying for a USRA are required to rank the students clearly within the form.\u00a0 The form includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An assessment of the applicant&#8217;s skills, abilities, achievements, experience and contributions related to <strong>academic excellence<\/strong>;<\/li>\n<li>An assessment of the applicant&#8217;s skills, abilities, achievements, experience and contributions related to<strong> research potential<\/strong>;<\/li>\n<li>An assessment of the applicant&#8217;s skills, abilities, achievements, experience and contributions related to <strong>leadership<\/strong>;<\/li>\n<li>A description of the supervisor\u2019s student training plan, including what the student will learn and how they will benefit from the research experience;<\/li>\n<li>Where a student has received a USRA in the past, a description of how the student\u2019s research will progress and build on their previous research and the anticipated outcomes; and<\/li>\n<li>A statement confirming that the supervisor is able to top up the USRA student\u2019s salary by the minimum amount required to meet PSAC RAII full-time salary for the duration of the award. The source of funds must be included to determine eligibility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Supervisors should submit the Form to the <a href=\"&#x6d;&#97;i&#x6c;&#x74;&#111;:&#x68;&#101;r&#x72;&#x6a;&#64;b&#x72;&#97;n&#x64;&#x6f;&#110;u&#x2e;&#x63;&#97;\">USRA Liaison Officer<\/a>\u00a0via email by the internal deadline.<\/p>\n<p>Where an applicant is external to Brandon University, the Form should come from someone at their home institution who can speak to their research aptitude and other abilities.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. Student Personal Statement Form<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Students are instructed to use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/files\/USRA-Student-Form-2026.docx\">Student Personal Statement Form<\/a>. The form should address how the USRA will benefit the student\u2019s career\/future, provide an idea of their plans, and describe how they have demonstrated leadership in academic or extracurricular settings.<\/p>\n<p>A student who has previously held one or more USRA(s) must also clearly describe their role in the previous project(s), the theory or concepts and skills they have learned, and any progress they have made, if applicable, towards formal research contributions, for example, presentations, publications or other research contributions.<\/p>\n<p><em>For previous USRA holders only \u2013 The final report from the most recently completed USRA will be attached as part of the application package by the Liaison Officer and will be considered in the review of applications.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Students should submit the letter to the <a href=\"&#x6d;&#97;i&#x6c;&#116;o&#x3a;&#104;e&#x72;&#114;j&#x40;&#98;r&#x61;&#110;d&#x6f;&#110;u&#x2e;&#99;a\">USRA Liaison Officer<\/a> via email by the internal deadline.<\/p>\n<h2>BU USRA Committee, Procedures, and Award Notification<\/h2>\n<p>USRA applications are reviewed internally by the BU Senate Research Committee (SRC) and results are normally sent out by the end of February via formal written notification from the Committee Chair.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/files\/USRA-Procedures_2026.pdf\">BU USRA Procedures<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Payment of Award<\/h2>\n<p>Payments are made by Brandon University on a bi-weekly basis over the 14 to 16 week term of the award.<\/p>\n<h2>BU USRA Report Form<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The student and supervisor are required to submit a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/files\/BU-USRA-Report-Form-2026.doc\">BU USRA Report Form<\/a>\u00a0upon completion of the USRA.<\/p>\n<h2>Questions<\/h2>\n<p>If you have any questions, please contact <a href=\"&#x6d;&#x61;&#x69;&#x6c;&#116;&#111;:he&#x72;&#x72;&#x6a;&#x40;&#98;&#114;and&#x6f;&#x6e;&#x75;&#x2e;&#99;&#97;\">Julia Herr<\/a>, Research Officer, Office of Research Services and BU USRA Liaison Officer.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Important Links BU USRA Procedures (updated 2026) Supervisor Statement of Support Form Student Personal Statement Form BU USRA Payroll Calculator BU USRA Application Package Checklist BU USRA Evaluation Rubric BU USRA Report Form USRA Program Description (NSERC website) NSERC Online System login (existing users) NSERC Online System Registration (new users only) What is a USRA? [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":71,"featured_media":0,"parent":447,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1618","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/71"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1618"}],"version-history":[{"count":206,"href":"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1618\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5932,"href":"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1618\/revisions\/5932"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/447"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brandonu.ca\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}