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Source verified March 4, 2026
Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)
Undergraduate research support for Black students
Latest source updateLast Update: October 12, 2026Latest change: The USRA dates table now shows Fall 2026 as closed and reorders the competition periods.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: October 12, 2026
Latest change: The USRA dates table now shows Fall 2026 as closed and reorders the competition periods.
USRA competition dates updated
The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) dates table now shows Fall 2026 as closed and reorders the competition periods. The application deadline for Fall 2026 is now shown, and the table continues to display the 2026 and 2027 competition periods.
Funding available
$ 6,000
Deadline
January 15, 2027
Location
Canada
Overview
The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) provide up to $6,000 plus a host institution contribution to support undergraduate research experience and encourage graduate studies. They fund research work experience in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, or humanities.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Conduct research and development activities
- Develop workforce skills
- Conduct research or evaluation activities
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 6,000 $
- Minimum amount : 6,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Black Canadians
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Undertake an undergraduate research project in an academic setting to gain research work experience (health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences or humanities).
Documents Needed
- Form 202, Part I
- Form 202, Part II
- Self-identification questionnaire
- Supporting transcripts
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Black undergraduate student researchers
- Students applying through eligible Canadian institutions
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Applications are reviewed independently by two faculty members with relevant expertise.
- Proposals are ranked and assessed to determine award recipients.
- Evaluation considers the overview or abstract, creativity, potential student benefit, and relevant experience.
How to apply
- Complete and submit the application using NSERC’s online system.
- Select the Canadian institution where you wish to hold the award through NSERC’s online system.
- Log in to the NSERC online system, select Forms — Student, and open Form 202, Part I.
- Complete the required modules and verify Part I to generate a reference number.
- Provide the reference number to your proposed research supervisor, who completes Form 202, Part II and submits the form electronically.
Processing and Agreement
- The institution you selected reviews the application (including relevance review) and forwards it to the agency by the institutional cut-off date.
- The sponsors (CIHR with NSERC/SSHRC) use the submitted application and nominative information to support relevance review and/or funding decisions, as applicable.
- A funding decision is issued according to the competition timeline (anticipated notice of decision dates are published for each term).
- If you have questions about the review process or next steps, the program directs applicants to contact the institution’s Faculty of Graduate Studies (or equivalent).
Additional information
- The total budget announced for this funding opportunity is $1,020,000, intended to support approximately 170 awards.
- The program is delivered by CIHR in partnership with NSERC and SSHRC.
- Deadlines shown are institutional cut-off dates for forwarding applications to the Agency; each eligible institution sets its own internal deadline for applicants.
- Applicants are asked to review CIHR’s general policies and guidelines (including the CIHR Funding Policies and the CIHR Application Administration Guide – Part 2) before submitting.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) Program
What is the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)?
The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) provide up to $6,000 plus a host institution contribution to support undergraduate research experience and encourage graduate studies. They fund research work experience in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, or humanities.
How much funding can be received?
Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) Funds up to $6,000 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is January 15, 2027.
Who is eligible for the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program?
To be eligible for the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program, you must:
No organization/business eligibility criteria specified in the provided information.
What expenses are eligible under Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)?
Undertake an undergraduate research project in an academic setting to gain research work experience (health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences or humanities).
Who can I contact for more information about the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)?
You can contact Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) by email at USRA-BRPC@cihr-irsc.gc.ca or by phone at 613-954-1968.
Where is the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) available?
The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program is available across Canada.