Summer Undergraduate Research

UBC has a number of programs that give promising undergraduate students the opportunity to spend a summer working on a project with a Statistics professor. These awards represent a chance to gain valuable experience in many aspects of research, including data analysis and coding. This is one of the best ways to get a strong reference letter and enhance your resume for graduate school or a future job. 

Available opportunities for each summer are usually posted on this page in early winter of each year. Postings for summer 2025 are now closed. 

Awards

There are three types of award offered that support undergraduate student research at UBC: The Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA), the The Work Learn Undergraduate Research Award (WLURA), and the Science Undergraduate Research Experience Award (SURE). All three awards provide students with the ability to engage in a full-time research experience with a faculty mentor during the summer, while developing skills in communication, problem-solving, and project management. Domestic (citizen or permanent resident) students are eligible for the USRA, while international students are eligible for the WLURA. Both categories are eligible for the SURE award.

See the official USRA page and WLURA page for up-to-date detailed information on each program and its requirements. There is no formal application or webpage for SURE awards; USRA and WLURA applicants who do not receive those awards will be automatically considered for a SURE award.

Position Details

Summer Undergraduate Research positions run for a minimum of 16 weeks, with the possibility of extension at the discretion of the supervisor. The positions are full time, so you must be willing to be on-campus every weekday for the duration of the summer, unless otherwise stated by your supervisor. This means that you will not likely be able to take any courses on top of the position. Please do not apply if you are unable to commit to these time requirements. Award holders are required to submit a short report on their activities at the end of the award term.

Value of Award

The stipend for these awards is a minimum of $7,500.00.

Eligibility

The USRA program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents only. The WULRA program is available to international students only and who are residing in Canada. SURE is available to both types of student. We strongly encourage Aboriginal students to apply for these opportunities. Please indicate your Aboriginal status in your application.

To be eligible for either of these awards you must:

  • be registered (at the time of application) in a bachelor’s degree in the term immediately before holding the award
  • International students MUST hold a valid study permit, and be registered as a UBC student. This means that International Students who graduate in May are NOT eligible for this award. If you are unsure of your eligibility, please contact the USRA coordinator AND an International Student Advisor BEFORE you apply
  • Have a cumulative GPA of B- (68%) or greater
  • At the time of the award, have completed all course requirement of at least the first year of university
  • NOT have started a graduate program in science or engineering

Additionally:

  • You may still apply for the program if you already hold a bachelor’s degree, and are enrolled in a second bachelor’s degree
  • You may only hold one USRA per fiscal year (April 1-March 31)
  • You may hold a maximum of three USRAs during your university career
  • If you are a graduating student, you may hold the award in the term immediately following the completion of your degree requirements, regardless of your graduation date. The exception to this is International Students who do not hold a Post-Graduate Work Permit (see above)
  • You do NOT have to be a Statistics major to apply, but please note that the positions are competitive, and priority will be given to students with a background in Statistics
  • Individual supervisors may require you to have taken certain courses, or have a specific skill set

You are NOT eligible if:

  • You are enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., MD, DDS, BScN, BScPharm)
  • You hold higher degrees in sciences or engineering
  • You are an international student who has graduated (or will graduate in May), and you do not hold a Post-Graduate Work Permit

See the official USRA page and WLURA page for up-to-date detailed information on these programs.

Application Procedure

  • Check out this years list of projects, and decide which projects you are interested in, making sure that you meet the required skill set/prerequisites that are mentioned. Competition for these positions is very keen, so it’s a good idea to apply as soon as possible.
  • Additional projects MAY be added, so check back periodically if none of the projects currently posted are applicable to you
  • Remember that you're not restricted to the projects on the list. If you have an idea for a project, you are encouraged to contact a faculty member with your idea to see if they are interested in supervising you.
  • Email your application package to the project supervisors with whom you are interested in working. Your package should include a copy of your unofficial transcripts, along with a cover letter explaining what interests you about their research, and what you think you can contribute to the project. Make sure you submit your application as soon as possible, as these positions go fast.
  • Project supervisors will contact students with whom they are interested in working, and may request an interview.
  • Should you be chosen to work as a summer research assistant, you will be asked by the research supervisor to fill out an NSERC online application form , Form 202 Part I online at NSERC website. Instructions will be given to you at that time.
  • Don't procrastinate. We receive a limited quota of positions, and they are filled very quickly!