Students enrolled in the Sustainability, Science and Society programs are eligible for summer research awards offered by the Department of Geography, by Faculty of Science, as well as those offered by the Faculty of Arts. Additional sources of funding are available to help support unpaid internships, field study courses and semesters, and research abroad.
Geography Undergraduate Research Award (GURA) for students of Black Heritage (2026)
In association with the Faculty of Science and Provost’s initiative on Anti-Black Racism (ABR), the Department of Geography is offering one Geography Undergraduate Research Award (GURA) for Undergraduate students of Black Heritage who are enrolled in a BSc, BA&Sc or BA degree program (Honours, Major, Interfaculty Program or Minor) under the Department of Geography. The student should be interested in carrying out a full time summer research project with a faculty member in the Geography department. Both domestic and international ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï students may apply, and on the supervisor side, the award is not restricted to professors who hold research grants. Students at all undergraduate levels are encouraged to apply. Many undergraduates say that their summer research experience allowed them to understand their courses better, changed their academic and professional direction, or was the best part of their undergraduate degree.
GURAs are a 13-week-long paid ($6000) summer research internships that will place students in a research setting (human or physical geography) or in the field to conduct hands-on research. No research experience is necessary; however, students should make contact with a Geography faculty member who agrees to supervise them. Applicants will be evaluated based predominantly on a short essay, and a faculty member’s commitment.
NSERC, CIHR and SSHRC Undergraduate Student Research Awards
The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program is funded jointly by Canada’s three national research granting agencies: the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Recipients engage in a research and development activity, under the supervision of a ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Faculty of Science professor.
Science Undergraduate Research Awards (SURA)
SURAs are for both Canadian and international ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï students registered in a science undergraduate program. SURA recipients will engage in 15 weeks of full-time research and development activity under the supervision of a ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï science professor holding grant funding, and will gain research experience in an exciting academic setting, while receiving financial support.
Arts Research Internship Award (ARIA)
ARIA supports undergraduate students who undertake research during the summer under the direct supervision of a faculty member. The Faculty of Arts will provide Undergraduate Research Internship Awards, each with a value $2500. These awards are matched by individual faculty members or their departments to provide a total award of $5000 to the student.
Faculty of Arts Internship Awards (AIA)
The Faculty of Arts Internship Program allows ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï to offer the kind of global exposure that simply cannot be replicated in the classroom. ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï is deeply committed to ensuring that our students are provided with every possible opportunity to make the most of their undergraduate years and to provide them with the necessary tools to be sought after by both the best graduate schools and employers. Internships are an ideal way for students to translate their classroom experience into real-world situations and gain valuable experience related to their field of study.
Enriched Educational Opportunities: Need-Based Bursary Program (EEO)
Enriched Educational Opportunities (EEOs) are high-quality off-campus mobility or other experiential opportunities, and are officially recognized by your Faculty. They foster self-development and help students transition successfully to the workplace or graduate studies. The EEO program is open to all students.
The EEO Bursaries Program is administered by the Scholarships & Student Aid Office as non-repayable forms of financial assistance based on demonstrated financial need. The Faculty has partnered with this program to ensure Science students have equal access to fully participate in these opportunities regardless of their financial capacity.
The Faculty of Science will determine which opportunities shall be eligible and will provide you with a supporting document (such as a transcript entry or letter) to prove their recognition. It generally involves a vetting/selection process, academic oversight, clear learning outcomes and objectives.
Eligible EEOs may include:
- Field Study Courses and Semesters
- Unpaid Internships and Research Experiences (excludes ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï on-campus or in affiliated hospitals and research institutes)
- Research Abroad
Additional Funding Opportunities
Science Undergraduate Society's Ambassador Fund
The SUS Ambassador Fund (SCAF) is to be used as a source of financial assistance to students in the Faculty of Science and Arts and Science for the purpose of attending or hosting conferences/competitions of an academic nature. The fund is meant to be a form of support for students who will be representing ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï Science in such a way as to continue building its reputation for excellence on a national and international scale. Applications will be evaluated by the Funding Commissioners and the SUS VP Finance.
Sustainability Project Fund (SPF)
Any member of the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï community can submit a project application, outlining the project idea through answering open questions and submitting a project plan, anytime throughout the year. Submitted applications are reviewed by the SPF Working Group, and selected applications receive funding for their projects, in addition to feedback and guidance from the Working Group and SPF Administrator.
Canada GIS Scholarship (ESRI Scholarship)
Through our GIS Scholarships program, Esri Canada is proud to recognize Canadian post-secondary institutions that deliver strong, multidisciplinary GIS courses and programs. Students from more than 50 colleges and universities across the country are eligible for grants totalling over $2 million annually through this program. This scholarship provides recipients with great networking opportunities, funding and access to extensive GIS resources including Esri software, books and training to develop their GIS skills and knowledge.