Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)

• Form 202, Part I
• Form 202, Part II
• Self-identification questionnaire
• Supporting transcripts

Who is eligible?

• Black undergraduate student researchers
• Students applying through eligible Canadian institutions

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada

• 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.

• Step 1: Confirm institutional process and deadlines
  • Identify the eligible Canadian institution where you wish to hold the award (the host institution).
  • Contact the USRA Liaison Officer (LO) at that institution to confirm the institution’s internal application deadline and selection process timing.
  • For questions on funding guidelines, how to apply, and the review process, contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies (or equivalent) at the institution(s) where you intend to apply.
• Step 2: Review program instructions and requirements
  • Review the USRA program description for details.
  • Consult the Instructions for completing an Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) application – form 202.
  • Review relevant policies on the CIHR Funding Policies page, including the CIHR Application Administration Guide – Part 2 (General Requirements for Grants and Awards Applications).
  • Consult the Tri-Agency Guide on Financial Administration (TAGFA) for allowable costs (Use of Grant Funds section).
• Step 3: Complete the online application in NSERC’s system
  • Complete and submit the USRA application using NSERC’s online system.
  • Within NSERC’s online system, select the Canadian institution where you wish to hold the award.
  • Provide the required application and nominative information and consent to the use and disclosure of this information for relevance review and/or funding decisions by the relevant sponsors.
  • Complete the self-identification questionnaire as required for the application to be considered (as applicable).
• Step 4: Submit to the host institution by its internal deadline
  • Submit your completed application through NSERC’s online system in accordance with the host institution’s internal process and cut-off date.
  • Ensure the application is received by the institution in time for institutional review and selection.
• Step 5: Institutional forwarding to the funding agency (final submission stage)
  • The host institution forwards selected applications to the Agency by the applicable cut-off date listed for the award term (Summer 2025, Fall 2025, or Winter 2026).
• Step 6: Follow up using decision timelines and contacts
  • Monitor the anticipated Notice of Decision date for the term/competition you applied to.
  • If needed, contact CIHR for CIHR funding guideline questions: Kim LeBlanc, Advisor, Awards (USRA-BRPC@cihr-irsc.gc.ca).

• 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).

• 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.