Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentships
Experience research outside the classroom
Student Deadline: 11:59 pm MST Friday, February 2, 2024
Supervisor Deadline: 11:59 pm MST Friday, February 9, 2024
Undergraduate Summer Studentship Central Application
Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentships (SRS) provides motivated undergraduate students across the province a unique opportunity to participate and explore in medical or health-related research and innovation (R&I) activities at the University during the summer months. Students will expand their knowledge and understanding of a chosen research field outside of the classroom with a faculty supervisor. This opportunity increases awareness in research and innovation, fosters critical and creative thinking, develops a one-on-one mentorship with a faculty supervisor and provides the means to build a research and innovation network with a community of peers, faculty, and partner organizations across campus. Supplemental skills development and networking opportunities are also provided through our program specific workshops, speakers, career mentorship, and presentation opportunities. These studentships are meant to encourage students to consider pursuing formal cross-disciplinary training and a career in health research and innovation.
Project priority areas
- Student Deadline: 11:59 pm MST Friday, February 2, 2024
- Supervisor Deadline: 11:59 pm MST Friday, February 9, 2024
Applicants to the Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship program will use the central application form for undergraduate research awards at the University of Calgary.
The common application form supports applications to the following programs:
- Alberta Cancer Foundation (ACF)
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI)
- Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentships (SRS)
- Biomedical Engineering (BME)
- BRAIN CREATE
- Dianne LaFlamme-McCauley Summer Research Studentships
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute Donald and Loreen Dunklee Summer Studentship in Heart Research
- McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health
- O’Brien Centre Summer Studentships (OCSS)
- Program for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE)
- Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA -NSERC, CIHR, SSHRC)
Award eligibility will be automatically determined at application based on your qualifications. Applicants will be considered for all awards they meet eligibility criteria for, however only ONE (1) offer of award will be made to successful students.
-
What is required to submit an application?
You will need a supervisor who is willing to provide supervision to you over the course of your summer studentship. An eligible supervisor must be a full-time UCalgary academic staff member.
Eligible:
- Full-time UCalgary Academic Staff (Faculty and Researcher)
- Assistant, Associate, and Full Professors
- Instructors, Senior Instructors, and Teaching Professors
- Clinical Faculty Appointment
- Professors Emeritus with an active UCID
Co-Supervisor Eligible:
UCalgary academic staff who are not full-time can co-supervise but will require an eligible full-time academic staff member to be listed as the primary reference for the application:- Sessional or Affiliated Instructors
- Postdoctoral Fellowship Holders
- Guest Postdoctoral Scholars
- Adjunct Professors and Instructors
- Postdoctoral Associates
Non-Eligible:
- Non-UCalgary Researchers
A student may submit one (1) application with one (1) supervisor only.
A supervisor must oversee only two students in the application system.
-
Acceptance:
In the event successful applicants decline the initial offer of award, no further offers will be made for awards within this competition (including all the programs listed above).
Note for Non-UCalgary students: The Request for UCID webform will close 12PM MST January 31, 2024. Due to high request volume, processing can take 1-2 business days.
Past students and non-UCalgary students are eligible for this award. However, you must have a current (not expired) UCID and an IT Account to sign in to the online application system.
If you are not currently registered for classes at the University of Calgary, even if you have a UCID, you must first follow the 'Apply for a UCID' process to allow us to give you an IT Account.
This is a two-step process, and each step will take approximately a business day to complete.
**If you have a current UCID and IT Account, please skip these steps and proceed directly to the application form in the previous tab.**
-
Apply for a UCID
- Apply for a UCID# (link here).
- When you click the “Submit” button, your request will be sent to the Unicard Office for processing. A copy of your request will also be sent to you.
- You will receive an email from the Unicard Office when your request has been processed and a UCID has been assigned. Generally, your request will be processed within one business day.
-
Apply for a UCalgary IT Account
- Your UCID is required before proceeding with this step.
- Go to the IT Account Registration site and complete the multi-step process. Read the step-by-step instructions here.
- You will receive an email once your request has been processed and your IT Account set up. Generally, your request and your access to the AIHS Award Application site will be processed within one business day.
- Use your IT Account username and password to access the online application system.
-
Grade 12 applicants:
- Graduating high school students are eligible to apply to the Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentships;
- Please enter your CUMULATIVE numerical average for all completed high school courses in the GPA field (example: please enter 87 if your cumulative average is 87%)
- Transcripts of your high school grades are required, please ensure you provide transcripts from each year of your high school studies as a single PDF upload to the application.
-
Students not using a 4.0 GPA scale:
- Please download the manual on this website to find the appropriate grade conversion.
Students who meet one of the following criteria are eligible to apply:
- registered in full-time studies in an Alberta-based undergraduate degree program with a minimum 2.7 GPA;
- registered in a full-time undergraduate degree program outside of Alberta with a minimum 2.7 GPA, and desiring to engage in research during the summer at the University of Calgary;
- exceptional graduating (i.e., grade 12) high school students with a minimum 85% average and a clear interest in pursuing a health research career; or
- Students in their last semester may apply, as long as they are enrolled as an undergraduate at the time of application, and are not entering a graduate program during the term of the award.
- Proposed projects must be in an area of health-related research.
Note: Faculty members are only permitted to support two (2) student applications per year in the common application system. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their chosen supervisor has approved their application and is aware of this restriction.
Studentships will be available for periods of 16 weeks, 12 weeks, or 8 weeks between May and August.
16-week awards are in the amount of $7,500;
12-week awards in the amount of $5,625; and
8-week awards in the amount of $3,750.
Alberta Innovates does not provide additional funds for health-care benefits. The payment of such benefits is the responsibility of the awardee.
Students must make a full-time commitment to their research during the period of the Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship.
No academic course credit will be awarded for work funded by the Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship.
Each application is reviewed independently by two faculty members who have a relevant area of expertise and a score is provided based on this rubric. Based on these reviews, all of the Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship proposals are ranked and assessed to determine the award recipients. Decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Results of the Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship competition will be available approximately 6 to 8 weeks after the close of the competition. Candidates will be informed by email regarding the outcome of their submission, followed by an official letter. Successful applicants will be required to formally indicate their acceptance of the award.
Please note that all candidates applying for Alberta Innovates, NSERC USRA, PURE, and O’Brien Centre Summer Studentship awards apply through a common system and will only receive ONE (1) offer of award if successful.
Value and tenure of award
Studentships will be available for periods of 16 weeks, 12 weeks, or 8 weeks between May and August.
- 16-week awards are in the amount of $7,500;
- 12-week awards in the amount of $5,625; and
- 8-week awards in the amount of $3,750.
Award recipients are expected to make a full-time commitment to their research during the award period of their Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship. This is subject in all cases to expectations set by your supervisor.
No academic course credit will be awarded for work funded by the Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship.
Applications and offers of award
Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship proposals must originate with and be drafted chiefly by the student applicant.
The University reserves the right to confirm, through independent means, representations of authorship, credentials or research support.
In the event of material deviations in the submitted information, including citation sources (in the case of authorship), issuing organization(s) (in the case of credentials), or granting agencies (in the case of research support), the University reserves the right to disqualify any applicant from the competition.
Award recipients are expected to follow the procedures and rules of the research environment in which they conduct their research and interact regularly with their supervisor.
Award recipients are to provide a report at the end of their award period, and ensure it meets the expectations of the Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship program.
Award recipients have an obligation to complete post-studentship surveys from Alberta Innovates. Alberta Innovates may survey award recipients for up to five years following the studentship completion to measure the impact and benefits of the studentships.
To make the most out of the AI SRS experience, it is strongly recommended that award recipients do not take more than one course during the Spring/Summer terms. Students wishing to take more than one course must first discuss the matter with their supervisor and obtain approval.
Award recipients offered an Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship will be required to accept or decline the offer by a date specified in the notification of the offer .
Award recipients who decline the award may claim credit for the award on their curriculum vitae, noting that the award was declined. In the event successful students decline the initial offer of award, no further offers will be made for this competition.
Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship recipients may not simultaneously hold any similar award, including but not limited to the NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards, O'Brien Centre Awards (with the exception of travel awards), or PURE Awards.
Conduct of research
Research funded by an Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship must comply with all University of Calgary guidelines concerning the conduct of research (see http://www.ucalgary.ca/policies/).
Alberta Innovates Summer Research recipients are to conduct their research in a safe and ethical manner under the guidance and mentorship of their supervisors. They are expected to follow the procedures and rules of the research environment in which they conduct their research and interact regularly with their supervisor.
All research that involves the use of human subjects must be reviewed and certified as acceptable by the appropriate University Research Ethics Board, any research involving animals must be certified by the appropriate Animal Health Unit (AHU), and any research involving biohazardous materials must be conducted in a site approved by the appropriate Biosafety committee. The responsibility for adherence to these guidelines is jointly shared by the supervisor and award recipient.
The research project should not be substantially altered from that proposed in the original application. If significant changes should become necessary, the trainee must obtain prior written approval from the University of Calgary Research Services Office to continue with the award. The supervisor must agree with the proposed changes and the original aims and conditions of the award must be satisfied. The Research Services Office may request written confirmation from the supervisor to confirm his or her agreement with the proposed changes.
COMMUNICATIONS
All publications, including public messages, arising from research supported by Alberta Innovates grants or awards must acknowledge the support. Please visit the Alberta Innovates Visual Identity Guide for more information.
Award recipients are asked to inform the Research Services Office in advance if their research will be published in a major journal such that it might result in a press release from the university and/or the journal. This information will be provided to Alberta Innovates communications staff.
Alberta Innovates reserves the right to publish and/or disseminate information regarding its grants and awards.
It is the responsibility of each applicant to:
- inform their supervisor of their intent to list them as supervisor on the application,
- obtain their proposed supervisor's approval, and
- ensure their supervisor submits the supervisor portion of the application by the posted deadline.
Alberta Innovates Summer Research Students are to conduct their research in a safe and ethical manner under the guidance and mentorship of their supervisors. During the period of the award they are to maintain regular working hours, unless otherwise agreed to by their supervisor. In no case should Alberta Innovates SRS students commit more than an average of 35 hours per week.
They are expected to follow the procedures and rules of the research environment in which they conduct their research, and interact regularly with their supervisor. They are to provide a report at the end of their award period, and ensure it meets the expectations of the Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship program. If significant changes should become necessary, the trainee must obtain prior written approval from the University of Calgary Research Services Office to continue with the award.
As an Alberta Innovates SRS supervisor, your responsibilities are:
- To mentor and support the student, providing an opportunity for the student to learn and develop research skills.
- Ensure the student can conduct their research experience in a safe and ethical environment, following procedures and rules of the University of Calgary, and if applicable those of the specific research environment in which the student is engaged.
- Meet regularly with the student and provide regular feedback and support to the student and the student's research project.
- Complete a final survey that adequately explains the student’s research successes and challenges.
- If the applicant is granted this award, you will be required to ensure that it is used for the project described in the submitted application and abide by the University of Calgary’s policies governing the pursuit of research, including Academic Integrity. All research that involves the use of human subjects must be reviewed and certified as acceptable by the appropriate University Research Ethics Board.
Faculty members may serve as a supervisor for a maximum of 2 applicants in total, whether for ACHRI, ATI, ACF, Alberta Innovates, PURE and/or O'Brian Centre Awards.
All supervisors supporting a student’s application to this competition agree to be entered into the pool of reviewers for this competition and to review summer studentship applications from students (other than their own).
Students and supervisors are required to submit a final report to the University of Calgary Research Services Office upon completion of the award. Failure to provide the final report by the posted deadline may result in disqualification from future Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship competitions. Additional information will be provided to successful applicants.
Alberta Innovates Summer Research Studentship awards are not renewable, but students are free to re-apply in subsequent years.
College of Discovery, Creativity and Innovation
The College of Discovery, Creativity and Innovation (CDCI) at the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning is devoted to providing and supporting different types of learning experiences that bring together students, faculty and community through discovery, creativity, and innovation, cutting across the normal boundaries within the university.
Tips for Success
When you are applying for a research position, find some background information on the researcher with whom you are interested in working. Look into their research, projects currently underway, and publications. Make sure that your research interests match theirs or it may make for a very boring work term.
If you’re interested in working with a professor at the university, send them an email. In the email:
- Let them know what you are interested in and how you can help them with their research
- Provide some brief information about yourself
- Attach a resume and cover letter
- Offer to provide them with further information such as transcripts
If you’re interested in working for the government or a company, follow the instructions provided in the project description. If no specifics are given, send a resume and cover letter to the email address provided. Also, be sure to fill out any necessary application forms.
Don’t get discouraged! You may have to contact several researchers and go in for a few interviews before obtaining a position.
The Ready for Research badge will prepare you to confidently participate in research within your undergraduate studies. This badge is a blend of online and in-person workshops, allowing you to choose between various learning activities to match your personal interests. Participating in this badge will help you discover undergraduate research opportunities on campus and create a plan to get involved with the research you are truly passionate about, enriching your undergraduate experience.