NSERC Student Ambassadors

In 2018, NSERC launched a five-year pilot initiative intended to support the promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to Canadian youth in order to help foster a science and engineering culture in Canada.

NSERC is acting on the evidence that equity, diversity and inclusion strengthen the scientific and engineering communities and the quality, social relevance and impact of research. The purpose of the NSERC Student Ambassadors grant is also to encourage post-secondary students and fellows, as mentors and role models, to share their science and engineering experience with youth from under-represented and disadvantaged groups in STEM.

Eligibility

To be eligible, at the time you submit your application you must:

• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada;
• be registered in a Canadian university, polytechnic, college, or CEGEP in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE) or have been registered last term and planning to return next term to one of those institutions for studies in the NSE or be a postdoctoral fellow in the NSE at a Canadian university;
• be at least 16 years of age;
• hold a valid bank account with an institution legally entitled to operate in Canada.

Only one application can be considered in support of a single outreach event.

Employees of NSERC and members of their immediate families are ineligible to apply.

Value of grant

The value of the grant is $1,000. You may hold only one NSERC Student Ambassador grant per fiscal year (April 1 – March 31).

Requirements

• The outreach activity must promote the natural sciences or engineering to youth in elementary school or high school (including the equivalent first year of college in Quebec);
• The outreach activity must focus on under-represented and disadvantaged groups (e.g. girls, Indigenous youth, youth in rural and remote areas, other groups targeted based on gender, ethnicity, language, geographical location or economic status);
• The outreach activity must be organized independently by you (the use of resources or materials developed by other organizations is permitted);
• NSERC must be acknowledged in the outreach activity;
• The results of the outreach activity must be shared publicly (e.g. online, social media) and reported back to NSERC.

Eligible expenses

The grant will cover costs associated with the proposed science and engineering promotion outreach activity. These include and are limited to:

• travel (air, rail, car rental, taxi, etc.) to the venue;
• accommodation (hotel, etc.);
• meals;
• material and supplies needed for demonstrations or experiments;
• hosting the event (refreshments, renting of facility, audio-visual equipment, etc.);
• promotion of the event (photocopying, faxes, etc.).

Note: Purchase of equipment is not eligible for support.

How to apply

Applicants must submit a completed NSERC Student Ambassadors Application Form electronically via the  Secure Submissions Site for NSERC’s Innovative Collaborations and Science Promotion Programs. The application must be submitted as a single document in Portable Document Format (PDF).

Application deadline

There are no fixed deadlines for this grant. Applications must be submitted between two and six months before the start of a proposed outreach activity.

Notification of decision

NSERC will notify you of the result at the email address given on the application, within one month. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds for the fiscal year (April 1 – March 31) are expended.

For more information, or any questions about the initiative or the application process, contact us at ambassadors@nserc-crsng.gc.ca using the “NSERC Student Ambassadors” in the subject line.