Canadian Forest Sector Workforce Diversity undergraduate supplement

Objective

The objective of the Canadian Forest Sector Workforce Diversity undergraduate supplements is to:

• provide research opportunities in natural sciences and engineering to highly qualified individuals in research areas of relevance to Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service
• address the diversity gap in the forest sector workforce with research and training opportunities
• encourage postgraduate studies in the fields relevant to the Canadian forest sector

Eligibility

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you are automatically considered for this supplement when you apply to the Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) program.

At the time of your USRA application, your proposed research project must fall within the research areas of relevance to Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service. Areas of relevance may fall within the following research subject codes:

• Forest engineering (1300)
• Environmental engineering (1500)
• Industrial engineering (1600)
• Chemical engineering (1800)
• Mechanical engineering (2100)
• Statistics and probability (3000)
• Geography (4100, 4150 and 4704)
• Remote sensing (4102)
• Soil sciences (4800)
• Plant and tree biology (4900)
• Biochemistry (5400)

Description

This USRA supplement provides financial support to high-calibre students working towards a degree in forestry sciences and related fields relevant to Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service. Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service offers up to 30 supplements annually.

Supplement value

NSERC will supplement, on behalf of Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service, your USRA by $5,000.

Selection process

Eligible applications will be reviewed by NSERC staff according to the eligibility criteria, and supplements will be offered to those most closely aligned with the objectives of the supplement.

In order to advance Canada’s reconciliation agenda and equity, diversity and inclusion in the areas of research relevant to this funding opportunity, priority may be given to those who self-identify as Indigenous*, women, visible minorities and/or person with disabilities.

* “Indigenous peoples” is a collective name for the original peoples of North America and their descendants. “Aboriginal peoples” is also often used as a synonym. For the purposes of this supplement, NSERC uses the Canadian Constitution Act, 1982 definition of Aboriginal peoples as including the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada.

Notification of results

If your application is approved, you will receive an award letter from NSERC before the end of the tenure of your USRA. Award letters should be read carefully and kept for future reference.

Payment

Your institution will issue payments to you for the total value of the award in accordance with its own pay procedures. Each institution has its own policy to dictate how the supplement will be used. For example, institutions have the discretion to decide if the supplement is to be given to the student in addition to or included as part of the institution’s contribution. This means that, depending on the terms of your agreement with your institution, if you are successful in obtaining the supplement the total amount of your award compensation may or may not change. The total compensation to those who successfully obtain the supplement cannot be lower than the value of the supplement ($5,000) plus the value of the USRA itself ($6,000).

You will receive your payment from the institution at which you are holding your USRA. The institution will also issue a T4 or T4A slip (statement of income) to you at the end of the calendar year.

Contact

NSERC Scholarships and Fellowships division
Email: usra-brpc@nserc-crsng.gc.ca