This is the annual notification to all 4th year, 3rd year, and 2nd year undergraduate students, of the upcoming NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) competition. Typically the ELCE Dept. receives 5 to 10 such awards in a year.
The following information sets out the basic information on eligibility; award value, tenure and application format together with the applicable NSERC weblinks for NSERC Form 202 and the NSERC USRA guidelines.
ELIGIBILITY (Students): Eligibility criteria are detailed in the NSERC Program Guide for Students and Fellows.
Applicants would be ranked by the Department bearing in mind that Ryerson University requires a GPA above 3.50, a candidate with strong research potential, communication skills and a research project and environment which will be as beneficial to the student as possible.
ELIGIBILITY (Supervisors): Faculty member (proposed supervisors) must either have held an active research grant at the time a student applied for the award or have an active research grant at the time the student holds the award. The supervisor may be the PI or the Co-investigator of the grant. Researchers holding only RTI and Infrastructure Grants are not eligible. Co-supervision by a non-NSERC grantee is not accepted.
More details on ELCE Research and Supervisors could be obtained from the EE Research website.
Value: $5,625 (minimum) The NSERC contribution is $4,500 for 2007-08. NSERC requires that all students holding USRAs receive a supplement from university sources of at least 25% of the value of the award. This mandatory supplement is a minimum value and should be calculated according to a specific hourly rate and the non-discretionary government/university deductions. The hourly rate may be set at the department or supervisor's discretion.
Tenure: NSERC expects students to work 16 consecutive weeks on a full-time basis, similar to co-op work terms. Any application for shorter than 16 weeks must be pre-approved by NSERC prior to the beginning of the term.
Application: NSERC Form 202 Part 1 and 2, and instructions can be found on the NSERC website.
IMPORTANT (Deadlines): Form 202 (Part 1 & II) cannot be submitted electronically. Once completed, Part 1 and Part II should be printed, signed, and submitted to ENG 478 by the student/supervisor by 3PM, January 30, 2007.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Sri Krishnan, krishnan@ee.ryerson.ca
Ms. Susan Haggis, smhaggis@ryerson.ca