Scholarships, Awards & Funding

 New for 2021

  • The Dean of Science has announced the Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences Department will receive NSERC USRAs, Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Awards, and SURE Awards.
  • The internal deadline for all awards is Friday, March 12th, 2021 at 9:00 am.

Available Awards

  1. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Undergraduate Student Research Award (NSERC USRA)

    • Through these awards, NSERC subsidizes eligible professors to hire students to work on their research projects. The program creates interesting research-related jobs and gives students the opportunity to gain valuable work experience. The awards are aimed at students who are interested in pursuing graduate studies and a career in research.
    • NSERC provides a $6000 subsidy to a faculty member to hire the student.
    • Only Canadian permanent residents and citizens are eligible for this award.
    • Other information on eligibility and award conditions can be found at NSERC, Student Services, and Student Services for Faculty and Staff.

  2. Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Award

    • These research awards are dedicated to international undergraduate students. They are similar to NSERC USRAs in that the program provides the opportunity for students to work on research projects.
    • The Faculty of Science provides a $6000 subsidy to a faculty member to hire the student.
    • Only international students are eligible for this award.
    • Other information on the eligibility and award conditions can be found at Student Services.

  3. Science Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Award

    • These research awards are similar to the NSERC USRA and Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Awards in that they provide the opportunity for students to work on research projects.
    • These awards are open to both domestic and international UBC Vancouver students.
    • The Faculty of Science provides a $3000 subsidy to a faculty member to hire the student (2019 and 2020).
    • Only BSc students are eligible for this award. BASc students are not eligible.
    • There is no formal application for SURE awards; NSERC USRA and Work Learn International applicants who do not receive those awards will be automatically considered for SURA awards.

Eligibility

Canadian citizens and permanent residents

You are eligible for the NSERC USRA and the SURE Awards. You need only apply for the NSERC USRA award; applicants who do not receive an NSERC USRA are automatically considered for the SURE Awards.

International students

BSc students are eligible for the Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Award and SURE Award. You need only apply for the Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Award award; applicants who do not receive an NSERC USRA are automatically considered for the SURE Awards.

If you are an international student and do not have a Canadian SIN, you must have obtained one before you begin your work tenure as an award recipient. Therefore, if you do not have a SIN, please obtain one as soon as possible. Instructions can be found here.

BASc Students

If you are not in the Faculty of Science (e.g., you are in Applied Science), you are not eligible for the SURE Award. Geological Engineering students are in the Faculty of Applied Science.

How to Apply

NSERC USRA/SURE Award

1. Complete the online application Form 202 – Part I on the NSERC website. You will need to upload a copy (front and back) of your official transcript.

2. Have your proposed faculty supervisor complete Form 202 – Part II NSERC website. You are responsible for seeking out a faculty supervisor.

3. Email a completed copy of both forms to Kimberly Tietjen, Administrative & Office Assistant < >.

Work Learn International Undergraduate Research Award/SURE Award

Email a copy of the application forms (Part I for students, and Part II for supervisors) and a copy of your official transcripts to Kimberly Tietjen, Administrative & Office Assistant < >. You are responsible for seeking out a faculty supervisor.

If after reading this page and the above websites you have questions, please contact Inquiries, at inquiries@eos.ubc.ca.

Undergraduate Research Travel Fund

The URTF provides support for undergraduate students to present original EOAS scientific research at a conference.

Eligibility

  • Students must be registered in an EOAS undergraduate specialization
  • Students must be presenting original EOAS scientific research
  • Eligible expenses include
    • travel (economy airfare or other public transport, vehicle rental, or mileage at approved rates)
    • accommodation
    • conference registration
    • meals

Conditions

  • Proof of event registration must be provided
  • Students may claim up to $100 towards conference registration and up to $200 towards conference travel. For the Chevron SEG/CSEG award, $500 is available.
  • Students can claim expenses from this fund only once during their undergraduate career in the department
  • Completed claims must be submitted to the Undergraduate Coordinator for approval and processing within three months of incurring the expense(s).
  • Claims will not be accepted from students no longer registered or on leave of absence.

    Original receipts (not credit card receipts) including airline boarding passes are required.

Claiming

Submit an Application for the Undergraduate Research Travel Fund and an EOAS Expense Claim Worksheet to the Undergraduate Coordinator in ESB Room 2020-2207 Main Mall along with any of the following that apply:

  • original receipts
  • airline boarding passes
  • a note of your abstract/poster acceptance
  • confirmation of conference or short course registration