Undergraduate Research Opportunities

The FIMS Undergraduate Fellowship Program provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to obtain research experience by working with faculty members who are undertaking new, innovative and collaborative research projects.

The program gives students the chance to acquire advanced research skills and experience while collaborating with an intellectually vibrant community of peers, professors, and research professionals.

Undergraduate students who participate in the program will be invited to participate in research-focused workshops and activities, and will receive the designation of “FIMS Undergraduate Research Fellow.”

Grants are awarded yearly to FIMS faculty members to support undergraduate and graduate students on a collaborative research project.

2024-2025 Research Projects:

There are currently no research projects accepting applications.

Western’s Undergraduate Summer Research Internships (USRI) Program provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to gain hands-on research experience by working closely with faculty mentors on short-term research projects. The program supports engaged learning, the development of research skills, and meaningful contributions to faculty research programs.

The USRI provides a stipend of $9,856 for a full-time, 16-week internship running from May to August 2026. During this period, students work under the supervision of a faculty member on a defined research project, participate in four or more professional development workshops focused on research skills, and produce a final research output that will be shared. For Summer 2026, FIMS has been allocated eight USRI positions.

USRI projects are designed to be completed within the 16-week internship period and should both advance the supervisor’s research program and provide a strong learning experience for the student. Projects introduce students to research methods and practices relevant to their field of study. Final research outputs may take a variety of forms, such as an infographic, poster, blog post, podcast, short video, or other agreed-upon format, determined in consultation with the supervisor.

Student Eligibility
All FIMS undergraduate students enrolled in the Winter 2026 term and returning to Western in Fall 2026 are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to students entering their final year in Fall 2026. Current final-year undergraduate students who plan to return to FIMS for a graduate degree are also eligible.

Key Dates and Application Process

• Applications open: January 23, 2026, at 8:00 a.m.
• Application deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
• Faculty Adjudications: March 2–March 23, 2026.
  Faculty supervisors review applications and may conduct interviews during this time. Only applicants selected for interviews or program positions will be contacted.
• Internship Start-Date: May 1, 2026

To apply for consideration: Complete and submit the USRI Application Form by Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Applications include a completed application form and two attachments:

• A copy of your current resume/CV
• A copy of your current unofficial Western transcripts

Late applications will not be accepted. For questions about the USRI program in FIMS, please contact Chantal Lemire at clemire2@uwo.ca.

Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are meant to nurture your interest and fully develop your potential for a research career in health, natural sciences and engineering, or social sciences and humanities. These awards are also meant to encourage you to undertake graduate studies by providing research work experience that complements your studies in an academic setting.

The NSERC, CIHR & SSHRC Undergraduate Summer Research Award (USRA) program offers undergraduate students a valuable opportunity to engage in research during the summer term. This program provides $9,632 stipend to undergraduate students to work under the supervision of a faculty researcher on projects that align with SSHRC, NSERC, or CIHR mandates in fields such as the social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and health research.

How the FIMS USRA Application Process Works:

• Faculty Initiated: FIMS faculty researchers are invited to apply for USRA funding for research projects aligned with SSHRC, NSERC, or CIHR mandates in areas like social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and health research. Students cannot directly apply; instead, they can approach FIMS faculty members to express interest in participating in a research project.
  
  
• Faculty Responsibility: It is the responsibility of faculty researchers to recruit eligible students and invite them to apply. Faculty will then submit the applications for consideration.

SSHRC & CIHR USRA Student Eligibility Requirements (exclusively for Black student scholars):

• Must self-identify as Black.
• Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Person.
• Must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program (not completed all degree requirements).
• Must have completed at least the first year of studies by the time of application.
• Can only hold one USRA at a time and a maximum of three throughout their undergraduate career.

NSERC USRA Student Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Protected Person.
• Must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program (not completed all degree requirements).
• Must have been registered students in either Fall 2025 or Winter 2026, or both.
• Must have completed at least the first year of studies by the time of application.
• Can only hold one USRA at a time and a maximum of three throughout their undergraduate career.
• May self-identify as Black or Indigenous to be considered for supplementary award allocations for Black and/or Indigenous student scholars.

Important Dates for 2025:

• Deadline for Faculty to Submit Application:
  • For NSERC, SSHRC & CIHR USRA: February 20, 2026
• Adjudication by FIMS Research Committee: February 20 - March 2, 2026
• Final Application Submission for Students (via Faculty Supervisor): By March 6, 2026

If you are an interested student, we encourage you to contact a faculty member to see if they are applying and to discuss potential research opportunities. For any questions, please reach out to Chantal Lemire (clemire2@uwo.ca) or Isola Ajiferuke (iajiferu@uwo.ca). For general USRA program information, please contact usra_info@groups.uwo.ca.