The deadline for Summer 2012 is: February 15, 2012

The Department of Chemistry is pleased to offer summer research opportunities for outstanding undergraduate students. These awards are meant to stimulate interest in research in chemistry, and to provide opportunities to gain research experience in an academic setting.

NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)

Recipients of this award will receive a minimum of $5,625 for the award duration as well as a travel allowance as per NSERC guidelines. This award is jointly funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and the Chemistry Department.

The normal duration of these awards is 16 consecutive weeks with students working at UBC from the end of April or the beginning of May until approximately the end of August. Projects in all areas of chemical research are available. Applicants are encouraged to browse the Departmental website, particularly under the "Research" and "Faculty" links, to familiarize themselves with the breadth of research opportunities available. Students are also encouraged to contact specific faculty members whose research may be of particular interest, and inquire about appropriate summer projects.

LIST OF PROJECTS FOR SUMMER 2012

These awards are restricted to students in a Majors, Honours or Combined Honours Chemistry program who are Canadian Citizens or Landed Immigrants, and who will have completed at least one year of undergraduate studies with a minimum of a B average.

Application Process

Applications for an NSERC USRA will consist of:

• Official University transcript(s) in a sealed and endorsed envelope;
• Covering Letter;
• NSERC USRA Form 202, Part I (This form can be completed on-line on the NSERC website: http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca)

On the NSERC website, select "On-line System Login", if you already have an NSERC account, or to: “First-Time User? Please Register” if you need an account. Handwritten application forms will not be accepted. Part II of NSERC Form 202 is completed by the Department.

*Note: students should provide their three choices for supervisor in order of preference and the selection committee will try to ensure that their 1st choice is granted.

Students who have already contacted a specific faculty member and have arranged a summer project should convey this information in their covering letter, and the Department will ensure that the proper paperwork is submitted for that project. Students who have not arranged a project with a specific faculty member will have a project assigned to them. In the latter case, the student should describe in their covering letter the areas of chemistry which interest them so that they can be matched with an appropriate project.

Contrary to the instructions provided on the NSERC website, application materials should NOT be sent to a specific faculty member but instead sent to the Department at the address below.

Applications should be mailed to:

Scholarship Committee Chair
Department of Chemistry 
UBC Summer Research Awards 
2036 Main Mall
University of British Columbia 
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1

Alternatively, your application may be given to Wayne Mah in the Chemistry office (Chemistry D223).

Inquiries about these awards or about the application procedure can be directed to summerawards@chem.ubc.ca.