EEB USRA for BIPOC Students
The 2023 competition is open.
Award Value: $7,500
Duration: 14-16 weeks, beginning May 2023
Deadline: March 31, 2023 at 11:59pm ET. Late applications will not be considered.
The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology is piloting summer research awards for BIPOC* students enrolled at the St. George Campus. The award will support undergraduates to conduct a full-time research project under the supervision of an EEB faculty member during the summer of 2023.
You do not need to have prior research experience, and will be paired with a supervising professor based on research interests. Applications will be evaluated on many metrics such as motivation for conducting research and skills gained through lived experiences. There is no GPA cut-off and we encourage students with all GPAs to apply.
*BIPOC = Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour
Questions? Please contact eeb.usra.bipoc@gmail.com
Eligibility Requirements
- Must self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Colour (BIPOC)
- Must be enrolled as an undergraduate at U of T St. George Campus at the time of applying (i.e. can hold award in semester immediately after graduating)
- May not hold other research award simultaneously (e.g. NSERC USRA, UTEA, KSR USRA, etc.)
- Open to domestic and international students. International students must have a valid student visa for the full summer work term.
What to Submit
Please complete the online application form before March 31, 2023 at 11:59pm ET: https://forms.office.com/r/cUdNbGDgkA
Late applications will not be considered. You will be required to login to your UTmail+ to fill out the form.
Statement of Interest
Your statement of interest (1 page maximum) should address the following:
- Your motivation for applying to this award. This could broadly include discussing your lived experiences (e.g. school, work, clubs, arts, sports, religion, family, abilities, race, finances, community service, etc.) and any successes you’ve had or barriers that you’ve overcome, and how this award will benefit your career/future goals.
- Your research interests and any relevant skills/experiences (e.g. skills: teamwork, leadership, dedication, motivation to learn, communication, other research skills, etc.). Previous research experience is not a requirement. Please list the research concentration you are interested in (e.g. Biodiversity and Systematics; see www.eeb.utoronto.ca/research). If you have a preference for working with a particular professor, please indicate in your statement.
- A brief explanation of the level of commitment you can make to conduct research this summer (the award is full-time for 14-16 weeks).
Selection Criteria
These awards are evaluated based on vital but often overlooked metrics of academic excellence such as motivation to pursue research and skills gained through lived experiences. There is no GPA cut-off and students with all GPAs are encouraged to apply. Applicants may choose to discuss their academic path in their statement of interest. Recipients will be notified of results and paired with a supervisor, via email, by mid April.
