Tri-Agency USRA

Tri-Agency Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)

Award Purpose

The Tri-Agencies (NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC) offer USRAs to nuture students interests and develop their potential for a research career in health, natural sciences and engineering or social sciences and humanities. Tri-Agency USRAs are available on a full-time basis and are meant to encourage students to undertake graduate studies. Applications for the Tri-Agency USRA program must be completed and submitted to the institution where you wish to hold the award.

Award Structure

Duration: 16 weeks, 35 hours per week

Award Portion: $6,000

Tri-Agency USRAs are derived from two sources; the 'award' portion and a Faculty supplement. The award portion and the faculty supplement that you receive, before benefit deductions, will not be less than the collective minimum for USRAs set by the TSSU Collective Agreement.

Important Dates and Deadlines

USRA Applications Open: November 16, 2026

USRA Applications Close: January 15, 2026 at 12:00 pm (noon)

NSERC USRA Award Notificaitons: February 2027

VPRI USRA Award Notifications: March 2027

Tri-Agency USRA Options

NSERC USRA

Open to Canadian students and permanent residents who wish to conduct research in the natural sciences and engineering.

CIHR USRA

Open to Canadian students and permanent residents who self-identify as Black and wish to conduct health research.

SSHRC USRA

Open to Canadian students and permanent residents who self identify as Black and wish to conduct research in the social sciences and humanities.

Student Eligibility

The Tri-Agencies (NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC) have eligibility to apply for an award and eligibility to hold an award. Applicants must carefully review and ensure they meet both sets of criteria.

Eligibility to Apply

Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Be registered in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible institution
Have obtained a GPA of at least 2.67 or a B- average
Are not currently registered in a graduate program
Cannot have completed all of your degree requirements

CIHR and SSHRC ONLY

Self-identify as Black

Eligibility to Hold

Must have completed all course requirements for at least the first year of study of your bachelor's degree
Must have been registered in a bachelor's degree program at the time of application and in at least one of the two terms immediately before holding the award
Must be working full time in eligible research activities during the tenure of the award
Cannot be registered in a graduate program

This is meant as a guide only, please review the eligibility requirements available on the

Application Procedures

Eligible students submit one application for both NSERC and VPRI USRAs through the online application form. Students who select NSERC will be considered for the NSERC USRA first. Unsuccessful applications will automatically be considered in the VPRI USRA competition if they selected the award on their application form as well. Students and supervisors are no longer required to submit the form 202 on e-console. Only successful applications will be required to submit the application form on the e-console.

USRA Application Procedure

Application Process

Identify a Supervisor
Review eligibility and determine which award(s) to apply for
Submit student and supervisor application forms

Note: There is no seperate application process for donor/departmental USRAs. Departments nominate students for these awards within their regular competition process.

Adjudication Process

All applications indicating NSERC will be sent to departments for adjudication
Applicants nominated by departments will recieve award offers and will be instructed to complete the NSERC e-console form
Applicants who are unsuccessful in the NSERC competition will be considered in the VPRI application if they also indicated VPRI USRA on their application form

Application Requirements

Student Application Requirments

Basic demographic and academic information
The award(s) they wish to be considered for
A statement of interest (maximum 500 words)
An unoffifical transcript
A resume

Student Application Form

Apply using THE USRA Form 鈫�

Applications will be available Nov. 16, 2026

Supervisor Application Requirments

A brief project description
A description of the student's anticipated role
Expected learning and mentorship opportunities
The award(s) they wish to be considered for
The proposed funding contribution (for VPRI USRA)

Supervisor Application Form