Application process
- Carefully review the eligibility criteria below for different awards.
- Find a potential faculty supervisor. Contact and meet with the professor to discuss a potential research project and details related to an employed summer research position. Some potential projects (this is not an exhaustive list) are listed below.
- Complete, with your prospective supervisor, the Summer Research Awards Application. Only one application is needed. You will automatically be considered for multiple awards.
- Submit the form and other documents to gradagri@dal.ca. Applications must be sent as a single PDF file. Â
The deadline to apply will be posted in late fall 2025.
If you have questions, contact Stefanie Colombo at scolombo@dal.ca.
Selection process
Award winners are selected mainly based on the student's academic record and research potential.
Members of the Faculty of Agriculture Research Subcommittee complete the selection process in late February.
Applicants and prospective supervisors are informed of the results by e-mail.
Awards approved for »ÆÉ«Ö±²¥ may not be transferred to another institution.
Awards and projects
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) sponsors a program of Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) for outstanding undergraduate students who are interested in research. USRAs are meant to nurture and encourage undergraduate students towards graduate studies and a research career in the natural sciences and engineering. These awards provide financial support through your host university and allow you to gain research work experience that complements your studies in an academic setting. NSERC encourages qualified Aboriginal students to apply for this award.
NSERC no longer requires professors to hold an active grant when applying to supervise a USRA student. NSERC considers anyone who is authorized by their university to independently supervise students to be an eligible supervisor. The suitability of the supervision will be evaluated by the university as part of their award selection process.
Value, duration, matching requirements
- $6,000 from NSERC for 14-16 weeks, on a full-time basis. Professors must supplement the award, in compliance with provincial employment standards. This translates into a ‘top-up’ of at least $3500 over 16 weeks..
Eligibility Requirements
Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Registered in a bachelor’s degree program at the time of application
Must have completed all the course requirements of at least the first year of university study (or two academic terms) of your bachelor’s degree. Students graduating in May are eligible to hold an award.
Have obtained, over the previous years of study, a cumulative average of at least second class (a grade of "B" or "B-," if applicable) as defined by your university.
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).
- Additional details on USRA eligibility and application process are on the .
Sobey Agricultural Undergraduate Research Awards (SAURA) support outstanding students enrolled in a degree or diploma undergraduate program at the Faculty of Agriculture, with preference given students enrolled in the Honours stream of an undergraduate degree program. These awards provide financial support for undergraduate students to gain research work experience that complements their program.
Value, duration, matching requirements
- $6,000 from SAURA for 14-16-weeks, full-time basis. Professors are required to supplement the award, in compliance with provincial employment standards. This translates into a ‘top-up’ of at least $3500 over 16 weeks.
Eligibility Requirements
Enrolled in a degree or diploma undergraduate program at the Faculty of Agriculture. Preference to students enrolled in the Honours stream.
A cumulative GPA of at least 3.7 (A-).
Students in a degree program will have completed at least 30 credit hours of course work. Students in a diploma program will have completed at least 20 credit hours of course work and be enrolled in a Bachelor program for the semester following receipt of the SAURA.