Undergraduate Research @ Lakehead

Photo of Participants During Oral Session of Rita Nicholas Undergraduate Research Conference 2023

Whether you're just starting your academic journey or looking to take your learning beyond the classroom, this page is here to help you explore the exciting world of undergraduate research. Here, you'll find information about research opportunities on campus and learn about external funding specifically designed to support Lakehead undergraduates like you.

 

Lakehead University Undergraduate Research Opportunity Fund (UROF) opportunity

Open Deadline

The purpose of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Fund (UROF) is to support third- and fourth-year undergraduate research projects that are being conducted in partnership with a community partner within a municipality. Each application can request up to $1,000 to support eligible project costs.

The UROF is meant to foster undergraduate students’ interest in research and support them in experiential learning under the supervision of a Lakehead University faculty member. The UROF is funded by the Vice-President, Research and Innovation and is administered by the Office of Research Services.

Learn more about this opportunity

Undergraduate Research Ethics Committee (UREC)

Academic units that regularly engage in human participant research have an Undergraduate Research Ethics Committee (UREC) to review and monitor the ethical acceptability of all research involving humans conducted at the undergraduate level.

Lakehead University's Research Ethics Board (REB) delegates the authority for ethical review of undergraduate research projects of minimal risk to URECs. This includes any undergraduate course-based research projects and honours theses that involve research with human participants, and/or are a component of the pedagogical process.

Delegation to URECs is not appropriate when a student’s project is part of a faculty member’s own research program; such research must receive ethics approval from the REB. (Terms of Reference: REB; UREC)

Students applying to a UREC will use the forms on the Research and Innovation Forms page, including: Undergraduate REB Application; Request for Amendment; Renewal Request; and Final Report.

Rita Nicholas Undergraduate Research Conference

Photo of Participants During Poster Session of Rita Nicholas Undergraduate Research Conference 2023

The Rita Nicholas Undergraduate Research Conference celebrates the contributions of emerging researchers at Lakehead University. This conference provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to present a poster or an oral presentation on a research project they are working on or have completed while engaging in scholarly debate with their peers.  This event is held during Research & Innovation Week.

Undergraduate Funding Opportunities - In Canada

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

Deadlines: December 15, 2025 (for winter 2026) & January 31, 2026 (for summer 2026)

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

Deadline: Jan 31 each year

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council

Deadlines: December 15, 2025 (for winter 2026) & January 31, 2026 (for summer 2026)

Natural Resources Canada (NRC) 

Mitacs Inc.

  • Mitacs Accelerate (LIMITED Call)
  • Mitacs Business Strategy Internships (BSI)

 

Undergraduate Funding Opportunities - International

Contact: Jill Sherman, intl.research@lakeheadu.ca

MULTIPLE COUNTRIES

Mitacs Inc. Globalink Research Awards

https://www.mitacs.ca/our-programs/globalink-research-award/

CAD$ 6,000 for research stays of 12-24 weeks; Destinations: global.  All discliplines are eligible.

    • Standard (Allocation Stream): Globalink Research Award (GRA) - (Open Call - apply at least 4 months before intended travel) - Up to 15 awards per year.
    • Quantum Stream:  The project must be in the quantum sector (includes but not limited to: Quantum computation (hardware), algorithms, and software – Quantum communication, networks, and cryptography – Quantum metrology, sensing, imaging, and materials.). No limit of projects per Canadian university.  One unit (12-24 weeks, $6,000) or two units (24-48 weeks, 12,000) are available.
    • Germany:  Mitacs-DAAD RISE-Globalink Research Internship, Summer 2026 -  (UNDERGRADUATE ONLY)  Application Period: October 15-November 30, 2025 for Summer 2026 internships.  Click HERE for information.   
      • WEBINAR: Tues October 14, 12:30-1:30 ET  CLICK HERE for more information.  

 

 

International Youth Internship Program (IYIP)

https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/study_work_travel-etude_travail_voyage/youth_internship-stages_jeunes.aspx?lang=eng

The IYIP offers global internship opportunities through seven programs.  Each program has its own focus (e.g. indigenous youth, youth with disabilities) and application time frames. 

 

Brazil: Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP) - Research Internships

The Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil is offering research internships in various disciplines.  Internships *may* be eligible for funding under the Mitacs Globalink Research Award program.

Research Internships, by discipline

Application information

Deadlines:  

November 30th, 2025:  For activities starting between February and July, 2026
April 30th, 2026: activities starting between July and December, 2026

UFOP Fact Sheet

 For assistance, contact Jill Sherman, intl.research@lakeheadu.ca.

Finland:  Aalto Science Institute (AScI) - International Summer Research Program

The Aalto Science Institute (AScI) International Summer Research Programme seeks 50+ talented research-driven students to join cutting-edge projects, collaborate with top research groups at Aalto University in Helsinki, and connect with an international community. Cultural and social activities enrich this unique summer experience in Finland, making it both professionally and personally rewarding.

The 12-week internships are paid at least 2,000 Euros per month; some travel funds (800 Euros) are available for those coming from outside of Europe.  

Publication of research internship positions: expected Dec 16, 2025

Application Period: January 7 through January 31, 2026

 

 

France: The ORA University Student Exchange Program (Ontario/Rhône-Alpes)

ORA University Student Exchange Program

The ORA Exchange program funds study and research opportunities for undergraduates and graduate students at 10 universities in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. Must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Watch a presentation about the program

  • Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 
  • Université Lumière Lyon 2 
  • Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 
  • Ecole Centrale Lyon 
  • INSA Lyon 
  • Ecole normale supérieure Lyon 
  • Université Jean Monnet Saint-Etienne 
  • Université Savoie Mont-Blanc 
  • Université Grenoble Alpes 
  • Grenoble INP – UGA

Summer Research Program (SRP).  Funding for summer 2025 research students is CAD 1,500 plus a stipend from the lab. Could possibly be combined with a Mitacs GRA award. Click HERE for more info. 

Germany: OBW Exchange Program - Ontario/Baden-Württemberg

OBW Exchange Program

Deadline: TBA

The OBW exchange programs offers study, language courses, and summer research placements to Ontario undergraduates and graduate students at nine universities in the state of Baden-Württemberg:

  • Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
  • Ruprecht-KarlsUniversität Heidelberg
  • Universität Hohenheim
  • Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
  • Universität Konstanz
  • Universität Mannheim
  • Universität Stuttgart
  • Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
  • Universität Ulm

Funding for Summer 2026 TBA.  OBW funding is exclusively available to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents, however international students may participate.  Additional funding may be available through the Mitacs Globalink Research Award program.  

Germany: German Universities of Applied Sciences - UAS7 Internship Program 

Deadlines:

  • Spring/Summer 2026: October 1st, 2025
  • Fall 2026: February 15th, 2026

The UAS7 are a group of Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany, offering internships to students in North America.  Some of the internships offer a travel scholarship of 1,000 Euros. Students accepted to internships may be able to apply to the Mitacs GRA program for financial support.  Graduate students may also participate in internships.  FULL LIST HERE.


Saudi Arabia: KAUST Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP) - STEM Disciplines

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is a private research university in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.  KAUST is offering research internships to 3rd/4th year Bachelors or Masters students through their Visiting Student Research Program (VSRP).  Students receive a travel costs, housing, health coverage, a monthly stipend (USD 1,000) and access to KAUST's world-class Core Labs and research facilities.  There are no citizenship requirements, open call (no deadline).   Over 150 internships on offer in all STEM related disciplines.