USRA provides the opportunity to gain paid, hands-on research experience under the supervision of a faculty member at the University of Toronto. The program is intended to foster interest in research careers and support the development of research skills across disciplines.
USRA awards are funded through Canada’s federal Tri-Agency research councils and are administered through three distinct streams:
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) – Natural Sciences & Engineering
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) – Social Sciences & Humanities
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) – Health & Life Sciences
Note: NSERC administers both general and supplementary USRAs, including awards for students who self-identify as Black and Indigenous. SSHRC and CIHR USRAs are available exclusively to students who self-identify as Black.
While each agency maintains specific eligibility requirements aligned with its mandate, the overall structure and application process are similar across streams.
For full eligibility criteria, agency-specific requirements, and divisional application procedures, please visit the central USRA webpage.
Tags: Co-curricular Paid
Offered: The duration is 14-16 full consecutive weeks during the Summer Term between May 1 to August 31.
By: Canada’s Federal Tri-agency Research Councils; NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR
Student Eligibility Requirements:
The USRAs are available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. International students are ineligible for USRAs.
1. Registered in a bachelor’s degree program at any university in Canada either as a full-time student, or as a part-time student only if require a part-time course load in their final term to complete their degree requirements.
2. Students must be registered in at least one of the two terms immediately before holding the award. Thus, graduating students may hold an award in the summer term immediately following the completion of their undergraduate program, as long as they have not started a graduate program.
3. Must have obtained a cumulative average of B- or higher. Exception letters may be considered.
4. May already hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and be studying towards a second bachelor’s degree.
Students are not eligible to apply if they are: currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program (e.g., M.D., D.D.S., B.Sc.N.), except for CIHR USRA; hold higher degrees above Bachelor’s; are currently or have at any time been enrolled in graduate studies.
Availability: Students in their 2nd Year, 3rd Year, 4th Year
Research Type(s): Research Fellowships / Studentships, Summer Research Programs
Location: Dependent on the nature of the research project that the student is undertaking.
Hours Involved: Students are expected to maintain full-time hours throughout the duration of their USRA.
Application Required: Yes. Each division will set its own application deadline. Typically applications are due from late February to early March. For divisional deadlines, please refer to the USRA website.
Contact: