Undergraduate Research Trainees


Undergraduate Research Trainees

In order to be considered as an undergraduate research trainee at McGill, eligibility criteria must be met before acceptance. 

Review the options available listed below.

IMPORTANT: Any individual that does not fall within one of the research trainee categories and is considering working on a research project over the course of the Summer would be deemed an employee. Therefore, payments should be processed as 'work for pay' through the Payroll system for relevant hours worked during the summer months.

Type of Trainee Description
Undergraduate Research Trainee

Undergraduate students from other Canadian and international universities (and exceptionally, local CEGEP or high-school students) who conduct research at McGill University are recorded as undergraduate research trainees. 

For more details, review the information presented on the Student Records website under Undergraduate Research Trainees.

Learn more about eligibility to award payments through BSA.

Summer Award Payments Students who continue to participate on research projects over the course of the summer must meet eligibility criteria in order to be paid an award/stipend. For more information, review the Summer Award Payments section.

Undergraduate Student Research Awards

Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are meant to stimulate undergraduate students' interest in research. They are also meant to encourage students to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career.

There are several award programs that fund undergraduate student research projects at McGill (and sometimes off-campus). These programs usually take place during the summer. For more information, review the following websites listed below:

NSERC: Undergraduate Student Research Awards

NSERC: Industrial Undergraduate Student Research Awards

SURA: Science Undergraduate Research Awards

FRSQ: Undergraduate Student Research Awards

SURE: Summer Undergraduate Research in Engineering

In addition to the conditions stipulated by respective agencies, students must meet the following eligibility criteria in order to receive one of the above mentioned awards:

  • Be registered McGill students OR
  • Be registered McGill students in the Winter term (if they are to hold the award in the Summer term) OR
  • Be registered as an Undergraduate Research Trainee (URT).