Natural Science and Engineering Research Council Undergraduate Student Research Award Program (NSERC USRA) & Mathematics Undergrad Research Award (MURA)
What is an NSERC USRA?
NSERC USRA recipients take part in a research project in an area of pure mathematics, under the direction and guidance of a supervisor. The type of work will vary depending on the supervisor, the project, and the student's background. Some projects have culminated in research publications. Some have won significant awards.
Am I eligible to apply for an NSERC USRA?
To apply for an NSERC USRA you must:
•
be
a
Canadian
citizen
or
permanent
resident
of
Canada;
•
be
registered
as
a
student
in
a
bachelor's
degree
program
at
an
eligible
university;
time
of
application
and
the
term
following
the
award
working
term
(not
graduating).
•
have
obtained,
over
the
previous
years
of
study,
a
cumulative
average
of
80%
What is a MURA?
The Mathematics Undergraduate Research Award (MURA) is a research award sponsored by the Faculty of Mathematics. It is an opportunity for undergraduate students to gain experience and develop potential for a research career in an area of mathematics.
Am I eligible to apply for a MURA?
To apply for an MURA you must:
Please
see
website
for
criteria:
https://uwaterloo.ca/math/research/research-information-students/mathematics-undergraduate-research-award-mura
If
you
are
an
international
student
applying,
you
must
have
a
Social
Insurance
Number
which
is
valid
for
the
duration
of
the
working
term,
and
have
a
Canadian
bank
account.
Please
note
that
award
recipients
can
only
hold
one
NSERC
USRA
or
MURA
per
fiscal
year
(May
1
–
April
30).
What is the value of the award?
The awards have a value of $6,000 for the term (16 weeks). In addition, the University and your supervisor will supplement the amount of the award, for a total of $10,000 for the four-month period. You will be expected to work a 35-hour work week.
How are award recipients selected?
The Department of Pure Mathematics, the Faculty of Mathematics, and the University Graduate Studies Office evaluate all complete NSERC USRA and MURA applications. Evaluations are based on your academic record and research aptitude.
If
your
application
for
either
award
is
successful,
you
will
be
notified
with
further
instructions.
How do I apply?
To apply for either an NSERC USRA or MURA you are required to:
- Approach a faculty member as a potential supervisor. Try to choose someone whose area of research is of interest to you. If the faculty member agrees to act as your supervisor, they will propose a research problem which will form part of your application. If you need advice, please contact Professor Stephen New (snew@uwaterloo.ca), the Pure Mathematics Associate Chair for Undergraduate Affairs.
2. Applications:
- NSERC application - Complete "Form 202 - Application for a USRA, Part I". This form should be completed online on the NSERC website. Email a pdf file of the completed form, a pdf file of your transcript (*un-official transcript is sufficient if you are a UW student)and have the faculty member send a confirmation to Pavlina Penk at pjpenk@uwaterloo.ca.
-
MURA
application
-
Complete
the
application
form,
then
email
a
pdf
file
of
your
unofficial
transcript
and
have
the
faculty
member
send
a
confirmation
to
Pavlina
Penk
at
pjpenk@uwaterloo.ca.
When is the competition deadline?
Competitions for NSERC USRA's are held three times each year. Deadlines are as follows:
- Fall term – beginning of May
- Winter term – beginning of September
- Spring term – beginning of January
Pure Math Department Contact
For any questions relating to NSERC USRA or MURA awards in Pure Math, please contact:
Pavlina
Penk
Administrative
Coordinator
-
Undergraduate
Studies
Department
of
Pure
Mathematics
Phone:
519-888-4567
ext
43931
Office:
MC
5312
pjpenk@uwaterloo.ca