On November 16, 2022, the Government announced new funding for Black students that will add new opportunities through the Undergraduate Research Awards program at Ontario Tech. These funds will help address the disproportionate underfunding of Black students at all stages of their careers; will contribute to making Canada’s research culture more equitable, diverse and inclusive; and will strengthen Canada’s innovation potential. 

What is a CIHR or SSHRC USRA?

• The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) will provide Black undergraduate students the opportunity to work on a research project in the health sciences or social sciences fields with a supervising Faculty member.
• The award is intended to stimulate student interest in research in these fields, and encourage students to continue on with graduate studies and careers in these fields.
• Funds for these awards are provided by CIHR or SSHRC with additional support from supervising Faculty members through their own funding.
• Successful students will receive a minimum of $9,700 over a period of 14 or 16 weeks (May to August) for full-time work on a research project.

Eligibility

To apply, students must meet the following requirements:

• Be a self-identified Black student.
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada as of the application deadline date at the university.
• Be registered (at the time you apply) in a Bachelor’s degree program at an eligible university.
• Have obtained, over the previous years of study, a cumulative average of at least a B- (70 per cent or 2.7 grade points).

*Students enrolled in universities other than Ontario Tech University may apply for a USRA, provided they meet all of the eligibility criteria (e.g. GPA, etc.). They must apply through our university's application process and must provide original transcripts from their home institution. 

In addition,

• If you are studying toward a second bachelor's degree, you may still apply for this award.
• You may hold only one USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).
• You may hold up to three USRAs throughout your undergraduate university career.

To hold an award, you must:

• Have completed one full year of university coursework (or two academic terms) of your Bachelor's degree.
• Have been registered in a Bachelor’s degree program at an eligible university in at least one of the two terms immediately before (Fall 2024 and/or Winter 2025 semesters) the award term.
• Have not started a program of graduate studies in the health or social sciences fields during the term of the award (May to August 2025).

You are not eligible to apply if: 

• You are an international student.
• You do not self-identify as Black.
• You are currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., MD, DDS, BScN) - this does not apply for the CIHR USRAs.
• You hold higher degrees in the natural sciences or engineering (e.g., Graduate, Masters, PhD).
• You will be commencing a graduate program in the health or social sciences before September 2025.

Selection Criteria

Successful applicants will be chosen based on the following criteria as demonstrated in their applications: 

• High academic standing based on grades from their previous year of study.
• Level of experience and training relevant to the specific research project position they have applied to work on.

For more information, please visit the CIHR and SSHRC website.

Available Projects - to be updated for 2025*

For 2024, SSHRC projects are available within the Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities and the Faculty of Health Sciences. CIHR projects are available within the Faculty of Health Sciences. Questions? Email studentresearch@ontariotechu.ca.