Awards and Research Opportunities

There are a number of awards given to students of high scholastic achievement.  For types of awards, criteria and websites go to the Western Science website.

There are a number of ways that undergraduates can get the first-hand experience of being part of a research program. The first step is to make contact with a research professor or adjunct faculty member whose research program is of interest. Send them an email inquiring about possible openings. Here are the most common ways students secure research positions.

NSERC USRA program

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) oversees the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program.  These competitive awards are meant to stimulate interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering. They are tenable at any Canadian University and have a value of $6,000 for a 16-week summer term with additional funds supplied from the research supervisor.

Further information can be found on the NSERC-USRA website.

Procedures and deadlines differ depending upon the institution and department the award will be tenable so it's important to inquire in September for an award the following summer. For awards to be tenable at Western please contact Beata Malczewski (bmalcze@uwo.ca).

The departmental deadline to apply for a Summer 2024 NSERC USRA got extended to Friday, Feb 9th, 2024 at 4:00pm. 

Information and procedures for this year's competition are listed below:

• Steps in Applying - NSERC USRA 2024
• Biology Student Statement Form 2024
• Access Academic Records 2024
• NSERC-USRA/2024 UG Research Award Application and EDID survey
• Faculty Interested in Accepting Students - NSERC USRA 2024

WSRI USRI Program

The Western Undergraduate Summer Research Internship (USRIs) was originally launched in 2020 as a pilot program. This program will be offered in 2024, and the departmental deadline to apply for a Summer 2024 USRI is Friday, February 9th, 2024 at 4:00pm. The first step is to make contact with a research professor or adjunct faculty member whose research program is of interest.

Overview of the program, information and procedures from last year's competitions are listed below:

• Western Undergraduate Summer Research Internship Overview 2024
• Access Academic Records 2024
• Biology USRI-Application instructions and EDID survey 2024

The Science/BMSc Internship Program aims to provide 8, 12, or 16 months of practical science-related experience in an employment setting. All students enrolled in the 3rd year of a 4-year undergraduate Science or Basic Medical Science Honors Specialization, Specialization, or in a Major + Major combination (where at least one of the Majors is in Science or Basic Medical Science), or students who are enrolled in the 3rd year of a 4-year BSc or BSc (Honours) program are eligible to enroll in the Science Internship Program, if they satisfy the eligibility requirements.

For further information, visit the Faculty of Science website.

Volunteering: Great way to expand your skill sets, gain experience and give one’s self possible career opportunities.

For information, visit the Student Experience website.

Western’s Work Study program offers an opportunity for students to work part-time on campus in jobs that accommodate their studies. The objectives of the Work Study program are to assist students in financial need with a regular source of income that does not add to their debt load, offer students training and experience that will assist them in further studies and their eventual entrance into the workforce, and to help staff and faculty.

For further information visit the Office of the Registrar website.