Open

Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)

Q: How much funding can be received?

Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) Funds up to 6000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)?

Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) is funded by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: Where is the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) available?

The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program is available across Canada.

Q: Are Black Canadians eligible for the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program?

Yes, Black Canadians are eligible to apply for the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program.

Last Update: January 19, 2026

Canada

Supports Black undergraduate research experience and encourages graduate studies

Grant and Funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

No objectives are currently available

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 6,000 $
Minimum amount : 6,000 $

Timeline

Unspecified

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services
Health care and social assistance

Location

Canada

Legal structures

Public or Parapublic institution

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

Black Canadians
Canadians

Overview

The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) provides up to $6,000 plus a host institution contribution to nurture undergraduate students’ interest and potential for a research career and to encourage graduate studies. Funding supports paid research work experience in an academic setting in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, or humanities.

Activities funded

Undertake an undergraduate research project in an academic setting to gain research work experience (health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences or humanities).

Eligibility

The applicant must apply through an eligible Canadian institution (institutional eligibility and internal deadlines are set by the host institution).
The application must be submitted using NSERC’s online system and must designate the Canadian institution where the award will be held.
The proposed work must provide research experience in an academic setting and align with the award’s objectives (developing research potential and encouraging graduate studies in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, or humanities).
For CIHR and SSHRC USRAs, the applicant must self-identify as Black (this self-identification is shared with the institution and, if awarded, publicly).

How to apply

Confirm eligibility

Confirm you meet the USRA eligibility criteria
Self-identify as Black (required for CIHR and SSHRC USRAs)

Choose host institution

Select the Canadian institution where you want to hold the award
Contact the institution’s USRA Liaison Officer for internal deadlines and selection process details

Review policies and costs

Review applicable CIHR policies and guidelines
Check allowable costs in the Tri-Agency Guide on Financial Administration (TAGFA)

Prepare application online

Complete the application in NSERC’s online system
Refer to the Instructions for completing a USRA application (form 202)

Complete required consents

Provide consent for use and disclosure of application and nominative information
Complete the self-identification questionnaire required for the application to be considered

Submit to institution

Submit your application through NSERC’s online system to the selected institution by its internal deadline

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

USRA-BRPC@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

613-954-1968

Canada

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.