Canadian Forest Sector Workforce Diversity undergraduate supplement
This supplement is available to you only if you are awarded an Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA).
Overview
On this page
Objective
The objectives of the Canadian Forest Sector Workforce Diversity undergraduate supplement are to:
- provide research opportunities in natural sciences and engineering to highly qualified individuals in areas of relevance to Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service
- address the diversity gap in the forest sector workforce with research and training opportunities for students from underrepresented groups
- encourage postgraduate studies and careers in fields related 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, including the following research subject codes:
- Civil engineering (1000)
- Construction engineering and management (1001)
- Structural engineering (1101)
- Forest engineering (1300)
- Environmental engineering (1500)
- Industrial engineering (1600)
- Chemical engineering (1800)
- Mechanical engineering (2100)
- Electrical and electronic engineering (2500)
- Robotics (2600)
- Artificial intelligence (2800)
- Statistics and probability (3000)
- Organic chemistry (3700)
- Polymer chemistry (3750)
- Geography (4100, 4150 and 4704)
- Remote sensing (4102)
- Plant ecology (4707)
- Wildlife management (4711)
- Plant-animal interaction (4712)
- Chemical ecology (4713)
- 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 other fields relevant to Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service. Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service offers up to 30 supplements annually.
For more information about the Canadian Forest Service, visit the Canadian Forest Service website.
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. Applications chosen will be those that demonstrate a connection to the forest sector and its transformation. This may include, for example, research projects that contribute to the development of forest sector knowledge, innovative forest products and technologies, and strategies for enhanced forest management. These projects should aim to find ways to improve the environmental and/or economic performance of the Canadian forest sector, enabling its transition toward the bioeconomy.
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, members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities and/or persons 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
