Research Funding for Undergraduate Students

External Funding

NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) in Universities

  • Stimulate interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering
  • Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada
  • Applicants must be registered in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible university
  • Supervisor must be a faculty member who is authorized by the institution to independently supervise students
  • For 16 weeks ($6000 plus university contribution)
  • Deadline: set by university

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(Click on Award Opportunities)

Charles Hollenberg Summer Studentship Program

  • Introduces undergraduate and medical students to the field of diabetes research at the University of Toronto's Banting & Best Diabetes Centre
  • For 12 weeks during the summer

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CIHR Studentships for Research During the Summer

  • For undergraduate and health professional students to participate in research projects with established health researchers
  • Applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree or health professional program at a Canadian university
  • Areas of research must fall within priority areas
  • Amount: $5000 for 4 months (plus 25% more from other sources)

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Parkinson's Foundation - Summer Student Fellowships

  • To support undergraduates and medical students in the pursuit of Parkinson's-related summer research projects
  • Amount: $4000 for 10 weeks in the summer

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Canadian Liver Foundation (CLF) - Summer Studentships

  • For undergraduate students to pursue liver-related research projects under the guidance of leading liver researchers
  • Amount: $4,000 for 3 months
  • Some restrictions apply (see website)

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Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) - TalentEdge Internship Program

  • For collaborations between industry partners and undergraduates, graduate students, or recent graduates in Ontario
  • For addressing a technology problem defined by the participating company
  • OCI and industry partners invest in student teams
  • Deadline: applications may be submitted at any time

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Ontario Government - Summer Jobs

  • For students who are 15 to 29 years old
  • Program provides free services to improve your job-search and self-marketing skills

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Government of Canada - Job Bank

  • Search for jobs in Canada, including summer jobs
  • Tools and resources available for job searchers

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Internal Funding

Western's Work Study Program

  • Opportunity for students to work part-time on campus in jobs that accommodate their studies
  • Assists students in financial need with a regular source of income that does not add to their debt load
  • Applicants must be Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents
  • Applicants must be Western students in second year or above in an undergraduate or professional program (some exceptions made for first-year students)
  • For the fall/winter program, students must be registered at main campus in a minimum 60% course load (40% course load for students with disabilities)
  • For the summer program, students must take a half credit (minimum)

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Dean's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

  • For undergraduate students to obtain research experience at Western (in Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry)
  • Amount: ~$7500

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(Click on Award Opportunities)

The Western Undergraduate Summer Research Internship (USRI)

  • provides undergraduate students with research experiences
  • amount: $8400 for 16-weeks in summer

More Information
(Click on Award Opportunities)