Wondering what to do this summer? 

Why not experience research with a professor at your own university?  Professors at the University of Manitoba through their research, scholarly work and creative activities are contributing to the cultural, economic, health and social well-being of citizens of Manitoba, Canada and the world. Professors work individually or in teams to analyze challenging and complex issues to make our lives better and more meaningful.  They collectively bring more than $160 million from external sources, on a competitive basis, to support their research, scholarly work and creative activities and to nurture young minds to become trailblazers, pioneers, and innovators.

About the Award

This new award provides you with an exciting opportunity to compete for 1 of up to 80 awards; to work full-time with a professor of your choice for 16 weeks, to get paid $6000, and to gain valuable experience in your field of interest.

Who is eligible?

• Full-time U of M students
• Completed a minimum of 24 credit hours
• Minimum CGPA of 3.0 based on all credits completed at the time of application  
• Cannot be held in conjunction with other competitive awards such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Undergraduate Research Summer Award. 

What do you need to do?

• Interview two professors (any two) to find out more about their areas of research, scholarly work or creative activity.
• Write two 150 word summaries on the research, scholarly work or creative activity, for each of the professors interviewed.
• Choose one of the researchers and write a 250 word rationale for your choice, indicating how this research, scholarly work or creative activity fits with your own long-term career aspirations.
• Required to present the results of your research, scholarly work or creative activity at the annual Undergraduate Student Research Poster Competition to be held on November 1, 2012 (umanitoba.ca/postercompetition).

How do you apply?

Deadline to submit an application is March 15, 2012 and application should contain:

• Student’s name, U of M student number, address, email address and phone number
• Professor’s name, email address and phone number
• Latest printout of student’s grades from their Aurora account
• Three summary paragraphs mentioned above
• Submit these to:
       Undergraduate Research Award 
       Office of the Vice-President (Research and International) 
       Room 207 Administration Building

When will you hear about the decision?

All applicants for the University of Manitoba Undergraduate Research Award will be notified by April 2, 2012. Submissions will be adjudicated by a committee appointed by the Vice-President (Research and International).

What happens next?

Each award recipient should contact their chosen professor to provide a 250 word (maximum), signed outline of the research program, specifying how you will fit with and augment their research program. In cases where a student’s work is not directly linked to the professor’s research, scholarly work or creative activity the professor must indicate how they will ensure that you are being mentored in the area and discipline as an undergraduate researcher. This signed outline and a copy of your Social Insurance Number card must be submitted to the above address by April 15, 2012 to release of your award. 

We look forward to receiving your application material. Good luck!