Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA)
The CIHR USRA program offers Black undergraduate students in Canada a four-month, supervised research experience to build skills and interest in health and related scientific research.
Funder: Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Due Dates: May 1, 2026 (Summer 2026) | October 1, 2026 (Fall 2026) | January 15, 2027 (Winter 2027)
Funding Amounts: $6,000 per award plus host institution contribution; ~165 awards available; awards are for a 4-month research period.
Summary: Supports Black undergraduate students in Canada to gain hands-on research experience and develop potential for research careers in health and related fields.
Key Information: CIHR USRAs are currently open exclusively to Black student researchers.
Description
The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program, offered by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to gain research experience in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, or humanities. The program aims to nurture interest in research, encourage pursuit of graduate studies, and develop research skills by supporting hands-on research work under the supervision of established researchers. For the current funding cycle, CIHR USRAs are exclusively available to Black student researchers as part of a broader commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canadian research.
