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 McGill 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 15-week-long paid ($6000) 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.
Value and duration:
When: GURAs have to be held during the Summer term (May through August).
Duration: 15 weeks (start and end dates to be decided with supervisor)
Value in 2025: $6000
Eligibility:
Students who self-identify as having black heritage and are enrolled in BSc, BA&Sc or BA degree program (Honours, Major, Interfaculty Program or Minor) under the Department of Geography are eligible to apply. Students should have a GPA of at least 3.0, and need to have identified a faculty member who will agree to supervise their summer project. Supervising faculty members are those who are appointed as Professors/Associate Professors/Assistant Professors/Faculty Lecturers in the Department of Geography (see up-to-date list on Geography Department’s website).
How to Apply:
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Browse the Geography website to find a professor whose research interests match your own, and then contact them to explain your interest and ask if they would be willing to supervise your summer project.
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Once you have found a supervisor, download and fill out the PDF application form (Student Form below). The application includes a brief, 3-part written essay on your topic of research. Part 1 consists of a brief introduction of why you are interested in pursuing Summer Research and your prior experience, if any (limit 200 words). Part 2 is a section outlining you research interests and how they align with that of the proposed supervisor (limit 200 words). Part 3 is a brief explanation of the level of commitment you can make to conducting research this summer (limit 100 words). An unofficial transcript has to be provided along with the complete application.
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Remind your proposed supervisor to complete their PDF form (Faculty Form below), where they will provide detailed justification (up to 500 words) on how your proposed research fits into their own long-term research plans, your role in the project, their role in the project, and how they plan to support you in your research project.
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Both faculty and students must email their respective filled PDF forms and unofficial transcript before April 21, 2025 to raja.sengupta [at] mcgill.ca.
Form for Student: 
pdf.net_bipoc-sura-appendix-a.pdf
Form for Faculty: pdf.net_bipoc-sura-appendix-b.pdf
Summer Courses:
For all projects: Students are expected to devote their time to the GURA projects. Therefore, students are only allowed to take a maximum of one course (4 credits) during the internship period, but permission cannot be assumed. This requires an approval from the Supervisor and the Chair of the EDI committee of the Geography Department. Additional flexibility may apply in exceptional cases, such as required courses that are only offered in the summer.