The Acadia USRA program provides students with intensive research and/or creative activity experience from May until August.
Students receive an award to conduct their own project. Projects may be completed on campus, in community, or at another university, depending on the nature of the project.
Many students use this as an opportunity to work towards their Honours thesis, while others may use this as an opportunity to explore research and creative work, and/or develop critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving skills in an independent project in collaboration with a faculty supervisor.
Deadline: February 27, 2025
Value: $9,600 for 16 weeks
Before you submit your application, you must find a supervisor. Meet with them to discuss your interests, their interests, and their willingness to be your supervisor.
Prepare your application package:
There are three parts to the USRA application. To complete the required online USRA application sections (Parts I and II), follow the instructions on the NSERC website.
Regardless of the granting agency, you must create your application using the NSERC online system and select the agency whose mandate (NSERC, CIHR or SSHRC) aligns best with your field of research (health, natural sciences and engineering, social sciences, and humanities).
NOTE: CIHR and SSHRC USRAs are, at the present time, exclusively for Black student researchers; to be considered, you must self-identify as Black.
This section needs to be completed by both student and supervisor. Please complete the Part III form found here. Once complete, the supervisor should email the form to theresa.starratt@acadiau.ca.
The USRA committee will use the following criteria to evaluate application:
