WAFAR Ignite is an undergraduate internship program designed to help the next generation of researchers gain the necessary skills to help tackle the grand challenges of our time.

Undergraduates who receive an Ignite award will work alongside faculty mentors and receive a research-intensive peer-to-peer experience while undertaking novel research related to a central theme (in 2026, the theme was Arctic sovereignty). Projects will be developed with your peers, in collaboration with WAFAR advisors. Selected candidates will undertake a 14-week program that includes: 1) Research, Leadership and Mindfulness modules, 2) Innovation and Partnership modules, and 3) research, communication and dissemination on the current topic.

Eligibility

• Undergraduate students from any faculty or school at Western are eligible.
• Applicant review, evaluation and timelines for notification of award are undertaken by WAFAR.
• Students must be registered in an undergraduate degree program (including JD, MD) at Western in at least two terms immediately previous to the award start date. 
  
  

Expected Outcomes

• Development of transferable skills, including: critical thinking, leadership, innovation training, mentorship, data analytics, mindfulness, communication strategies, presentation skills and international outreach.
• Ignite awardees will be provided a range of professional development sessions (leadership, innovation, mindfulness) to support their research and career development, and will gain exposure to new approaches to research translation.
• At the end of the summer, students and faculty will share their research with the broader campus community.

Funding and Term

Each IGNITE award is valued at $10,000 for a full-time, face-to-face, peer-to-peer, in-office commitment over a 14-week period, from May to August.
 

Application Requirements

• Transcript (informal)
• One-page letter of interest: How will this opportunity enhance my undergraduate learning experience? 
• Academic Curriculum Vitae

Questions?

Please reach out with any questions you may have about the WAFAR Ignite program by emailing wafar@uwo.ca.