CIHR & SSHRC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are meant to nurture your interest and fully develop your potential for a research career in health or social sciences and humanities. These awards are also meant to encourage you to undertake graduate studies by providing research work experience that complements your studies in an academic setting.

At the present time, CIHR and SSHRC USRAs are exclusively for student researchers who self-identify as Black.

To be eligible to apply:

• you must be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada or a Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) as of the deadline date for applications at the institution
• you must be registered, as of the deadline date for applications at the institution, in a bachelor’s degree program at an eligible institution
• you must have obtained a cumulative average of at least 75% in your previous university academic year (college transfer students and Year One (1) students must have at least 75% average at the end of the current year)
• you cannot be currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., MD, DDS, BScN) (does not apply for CIHR USRAs)
• you may hold only one USRA per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31)
• you may hold a maximum of three USRAs throughout your undergraduate career (regardless of the granting agency)

To hold an award:

• you must have completed all course requirements for at least the first year of study (or two academic terms) of your bachelor’s degree
• you must have been registered in a bachelor’s degree program at the time of application and in at least one of the two terms immediately before holding the award
• you must be working full time in eligible research and development activities in your proposed field of research during tenure of the award
• you cannot be registered in a graduate program
• work under the supervision of a faculty member authorized to supervise students;
• have a proposed research project that clearly lies within health sciences (CIHR) or social sciences and humanities (SSHRC)
• be engaged on a full-time basis in research and development activities during tenure of the award (Duration: 14-16 weeks with no payment for vacation leave during the tenure of the award);

Notes:

• You may hold an award at any time during the year as permitted by your academic program.
• Tenure may start on a date acceptable to both you and your host institution.
• You may take a maximum of two courses during the tenure of the award with your research supervisor's approval

Application Process

To apply for the CIHR or SSHRC USRA, download the following documents:

1. CIHR & SSHRC USRA Application Steps
2. CIHR & SSHRC USRA Research Interest & Goals Form
3. CIHR & SSHRC USRA Student Reference Form

Application Deadline:

• December 15, 2026 (for Winter 2026)
• January 31, 2026 (for Summer 2026)

Contact Information:

If you have any questions, please contact research@lakeheadu.ca