UTM Biology is not currently accepting applications from students for the UTEA program. Applications will open in January 2027 for summer 2027 awards.
Deadline
TBD – sometime mid February 2027.
Purpose
To provide opportunities for research experience at the undergraduate level in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE), social sciences and humanities (SSH), or health and life sciences (HLS); to augment the formal research courses offered by the University of Toronto; to provide undergraduate students opportunities to gain direct research experience on a faculty-led project; to help students learn and appreciate the investigative methodologies of areas of particular interest; and to foster interest in and knowledge of careers in research.
Award Details
- Value: $7,500
- Duration: 14 – 16 weeks (no earlier than May 1 and ending no later than Sept 30)
- Supervisor: UTM Biology faculty member with an active NSERC, SSHRC or CIHR grant (or has a grant pending at the time of application). Eligible students who are interested in this program and are having trouble securing a supervisor should browse the UTM Biology faculty websites and reach out to faculty members who are doing research that is interesting to them.
How to Apply
- Find a UTM Biology faculty member who is interested in developing an excellent, feasible research project with you that you can conduct over the summer.
- Read through the program guidelines.
- Complete and submit the 2027 USRA and UTEA Application Form. Your supervisor will need to complete their part of the form.
- Submit the completed application form and an unofficial transcript generated from ACORN to cindy.short@utoronto.ca by the application deadline (TBD).
After Applying
- Your application will be reviewed for both eligibility and by a divisional expert committee. Evaluative criteria include: the quality of the research project and the student’s academic excellence.
- Award decisions will be sent in April, with expected May 1st award start dates.
Eligibility of Students
To be eligible to hold a UTEA, a student must:
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or international student with valid student visa for the full summer work term;
- be registered in a Bachelor’s degree program at the University of Toronto either as 1) a full-time student, or 2) a part-time student only if the UTEA will be held during the student’s final session and the student requires only a part-time course load to complete their degree;
- be registered either at the time of application or in the term immediately before the award start date. Graduating students may hold an award in the term immediately following the completion of their undergraduate program, as long as they have not started a graduate program;
- have obtained a cumulative average of "B+" or higher. For students in higher years, this average can be applied to the best two years of study.
- Eligible students may already hold a Bachelor's degree in any discipline and be studying towards a second Bachelor's degree in NSE, SSH, or HLS.
A student is ineligible to hold a UTEA if they:
- are currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., M.D., D.D.S., B.Sc.N.);
- hold a degree above a Bachelor’s in NSE, HLS, or SSH; or
- are currently enrolled in graduate studies
Please note that:
- A student may only apply for one UTEA opportunity per year.
- A student may not concurrently hold a UTEA and an NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) or other equivalent summer research award.
- A student may hold a maximum of 3 UTEAs throughout their university career, with priority given to first-time applicants.
If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Short at cindy.short@utoronto.ca.