Faculty of Science Undergraduate Research Scholarship

What you will need

• ✓ Online application by March 15
• ✓ A letter of recommendation from a science teacher
• ✓ A 250-word text describing how you explore your passion for science and share it with others
• ✓ Availability for an interview in the spring

About this award

You get $11,500, paid across two work terms with a research group at the Faculty of Science or the Faculty of Medicine: $5,000 for the first work term and $6,500 for the second. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. The Faculty of Science gives 16 of these scholarships each year. This is for you if you are starting a science degree at the University of Ottawa and want hands-on research experience from the beginning. The deadline is March 15. Applications must be submitted online, and you must be available for an interview in the spring. When you apply, ask the University of Ottawa how and when you will hear back. The scholarships go to the best students. You must show research skills and involvement in extracurricular scientific activities. Ask the University of Ottawa roughly how many students apply so you can judge your odds. Ask the University of Ottawa how the money for each work term is paid so you can plan your cash flow. Research areas include biochemistry, biology, biomedical science, biopharmaceutical science, biotechnology, chemistry, environmental geoscience, environmental science, geology, immunology, mathematics and statistics, microbiology, neurology, pharmacology, physics, physiology and virology.

Who qualifies

You must be enrolled full time, for the first time in September, in an undergraduate program at the Faculty of Science at the University of Ottawa, with a minimum admission average of 92%. You must also show research skills and involvement in extracurricular scientific activities. The University of Ottawa's general rules for admission scholarships also apply: you must meet the admission requirements of your program and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or have protected person or refugee status.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Canadian citizen, permanent resident, protected person or refugee
• ✓ Open to undergraduate students
• ✓ Studying Science

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   Ask for reference letters2 weeks

   Give your referees at least two weeks' notice, and send them your résumé.

3. 3

   Submit your application

   Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

• Your 250-word text: Avoid a general statement that you like science. Instead, describe how you explore your passion for science and share it with others, as the application asks. Use one concrete example, such as a project or a club you lead.
• ReferenceAvoid asking a teacher who barely knows your work. Instead, ask a science teacher who has seen your lab or project work, because the application needs a letter of recommendation from a science teacher. Give them plenty of notice before March 15.
• InterviewAvoid treating the spring interview as a formality. Instead, be ready to talk about your research skills and the science activities you do outside class. Keep your spring schedule open.
• RealismAvoid counting on this award alone. Only 16 are given and you need at least a 92% admission average, so apply for other admission scholarships too.

Questions students ask

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