Scholarships & Awards

NSERC USRA

These prestigious awards enable undergraduate students to spend the summer months (14-16 weeks) working with a research group in Biology. If you are interested in spending “Summer 2026” at McMaster and you have a 10.0 Cumulative Average (or above), we invite you to apply provided you find a prospective NSERC-funded supervisor in Biology willing to sponsor your application.

Deadline is Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 to biology@mcmaster.ca

The awards have a total stipend as follows for the required 14-16 weeks

NSERC stipend(s) (minimum):

$6,000 NSERC award + between $2,624 (14 weeks at Minimum wage) and $3,856 (16 weeks at Minimum wage) Biology researcher contribution = $8,624.00-$9856.00 in total

Individual supervisors may choose to increase their contribution.

*approximate value, final value will be announced soon.

Applications are invited from all qualified Level I, II, III, IV students. Applicants must be Canadian citizens, a permanent resident of Canada or a Protected Person under subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) and must be currently registered in a bachelor’s degree program.

Biology’s Application Procedures

Step 1

Visit the NSERC website to determine if you are eligible for the award.

USRA program information – http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Students-Etudiants/UG-PC/USRA-BRPC_eng.asp

Step 2

Contact a Prospective Supervisor (you apply through the Department of the proposed supervisor).

Click here for a list of eligible Biology Faculty. Individual Supervisors can only take on one student per year. Faculty who will not be accepting students will be noted on our website.

Please note, only one student can receive the NSERC USRA award in each supervisor’s lab.

Step 3

Order an official McMaster University transcript IMMEDIATELY (to include December 2025 results) through the Registrar’s Office. If you are chosen for an NSERC USRA Award you will need to submit an official transcript with your NSERC Form 202 Part II form. An unofficial transcript (to include December 2025 results) may be submitted temporarily.  

Step 4

All NSERC forms must be completed on-line initially. No exceptions will be made.

Follow the instructions for completing the application here.

Form 202 – Application for an Undergraduate Student Research Award

• Complete Part 1 – Personal Data Form (completed by student on-line). (Part II is not required at this time)*
• Tips:
  • Degree = Bachelor’s
  • Name of Discipline = name of your program (i.e. Honours Biology)
  • Department = Biology
  • How many academic terms when award is held = if you’re completing Level 2, Type 4; if you’re completing Level 3, type 6; if you’re completing Level 4, type 8
• Scan and upload a copy of your official transcript (which should include one copy of the back page of your transcript which details McMaster’s grading scheme).
• Print or save a copy of Part I for submission to the Department of Biology.

Step 5

We have changed this step of the process this year!

All student applicants must now complete the new Biology NSERC USRA Award Application Form on MS Forms.

The form for 2026 can be found here: https://forms.office.com/r/vHw5zMDiyr

Please take your time with the supplemental application questions within this form as it is important for the selection process at the Department level!

Step 6 – Documents To Submit To Biology

Submit the completed form, including the elements listed below by Wednesday, February 25^th, 2026:

• • Copy of completed Part I
  • Supplemental application questions
  • An official transcript that includes December 2025 grades

Note:

Applications will be reviewed and ranked by the Biology Undergraduate Studies Committee and by the Faculty of Science.

*Part II – Proposed location of Tenure and Research Project will be completed by the proposed supervisor after the applications have been ranked within the Department.

Award decisions to be made late March. All applicants will be contacted regardless if they receive the NSERC USRA or not.