NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA): Summer 2010

The Department of Chemical Engineering has been given a quota of 7 NSERC USRA awards for this summer. Please review the information below to determine your personal interest and eligibility for these awards. Application forms and guidelines are available through the NSERC web site NSERC - On-line Forms and Instructions.

Program Objectives

These awards are meant to stimulate students’ interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering, and to encourage students to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields.  NSERC encourages eligible female students and qualified Aboriginal students to apply to this program. Further information about NSERC and these awards can be viewed at http://www.nserc.gc.ca.

Administrative Procedures

The Department of Chemical Engineering is responsible for collecting the applications for all CHEE and ENCH students. The department's internal application deadline is Friday, February 19, 2010. A Departmental committee to review the applications will be responsible for candidate selection and notification. The Department will ensure that this information is forwarded to Research Services by the appropriate deadline, and they will forward the selected applications to NSERC.

Selected candidates will receive an email confirmation from the Department of Chemical Engineering by Monday, March 1, 2010.. Selected candidates will be required to respond to this email, acknowledging their commitment to the award program.

Student Eligibility

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, registered in a full-time program, and have completed all the course requirements of at least the first year of a bachelor's degree. Graduating (4th year) students are eligible providing they have not started a graduate studies program. (Example: A fourth year student could graduate in April, start their USRA in May, and then register for graduate school in September).

Students must have achieved a minimum cumulative B (65-79%) average over the entire period of undergraduate studies. NSERC has asked universities to strongly encourage applications from eligible female students.

Students may hold a maximum of three USRAs during their undergraduate career.

Supervisor Eligibility

Students receiving a research award (USRA) must be supervised by a faculty member who holds an active NSERC research grant, either at the time of application or when the student holds the award. The majority of professors in the Department of Chemical Engineering hold active NSERC research grants and are eligible to supervise a project. http://chemeng.queensu.ca/people/People-Faculty.php

Application Forms

Step #1 - In order to complete the forms online, you first need to register http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne/Index_eng.asp

Step #2 - Complete Forms:

Students: Form 202 - Part I (Personal Data) - Application for an Undergraduate Student Research Award http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne/Forms-Formulaires_eng.asp. PLEASE NOTE: Hand written applications will NOT be accepted. You must login to the NSERC website to fill in the form.

Supervisors: Form 202 - Part II (Proposed Location of Tenure and Research Project) - Application for an Undergraduate Student Research Award.http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/OnlineServices-ServicesEnLigne/Forms-Formulaires_eng.asp. PLEASE NOTE: Hand written applications will NOT be accepted.

These forms are to be used for both the university and industrial USRA program. The forms and guidelines are available through the NSERC web site NSERC - On-line Forms and Instructions.

Each application form must include a print out of your most recent marks. An official transcript is no longer required unless NSERC requests it. An unofficial copy can be provided by Liann Joanette, Undergraduate Program Assistant.

Be sure to indicate your citizenship. If you are a landed immigrant you will have to indicate the date of landing as per Form IMM 1000. Also, if you have held an USRA in the past, enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN) on the personal data form. Leave this space on the form blank if you do not already have a PIN.

Application Deadline

Completed applications are to be returned to Laurie Phillips, Financial Assistant, in the Department of Chemical Engineering, #201 Dupuis Hall, by 4:00pm on Friday, February 19, 2010.

Selected candidates will receive an email confirmation no later than Monday, March 1, 2010, if they have been given an award.

Award Duration (Work Term)

Students are required to spend 16 weeks of full time employment on their project. Research projects will start Monday, May 3rd, 2010 and end Friday, August 20th, 2010.

Salary

Each award has a total value, depending on academic year completed by student, of:

• Students who have completed 2nd year of undergraduate studies:

  Total value of award: $6,880.00 (consists of $4,500 base salary paid by NSERC + $2,380 additional supplement paid by supervisor)

• Students who have completed 3rd or 4th year of undergraduate studies:

Total value of award: $7,080.00 (consists of $4,500 base salary paid by NSERC + $2,580 additional supplement paid by supervisor)

NOTE TO SUPERVISORS: In addition to the monthly amount, your account will be charged ~10% for fringe benefits on the total monthly salary.

Please Note:

NSERC reviews the university USRA submissions during June and July, well after the student has commenced the summer research project. Universities will be notified if any of their students are deemed ineligible to participate in the program. Faculty Project Supervisors must agree to honour the student contract of any student working under their supervision who is rejected by NSERC.