Undergraduates who are interested in working on a research problem in theoretical astrophysics during the summer are encouraged to apply for Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada - Undergraduate Student Research Awards. Full details of the NSERC USRA program may be found at this link on the NSERC website .

At CITA research areas include: cosmology, galaxy formation, star formation, galactic structure, stellar dynamics, nucleosynthesis, stellar structure and evolution, high energy astrophysics and celestial mechanics. See CITA USRA Project Descriptions 2013 for current project summaries. Please check this link again as supervisors may post additional projects.

Award recipients must work for 16 consecutive weeks during the summer beginning the first week of May, with stipends ranging from $1,900-$2,100 per month depending on a student's present year of study. The program makes no provision for sick leave or other interruptions (i.e. no time off for holidays). For out-of-town students, NSERC provides travel costs and from May 15 onwards, on-campus housing is available.

Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, registered at the time of application in a full-time bachelor's degree in natural sciences or engineering (and not holding a higher degree) at an eligible university. Must have obtained, over the previous years of study, a cumulative average of at least second class (a grade of "B" or “B-“, if applicable) as defined by the university. Must have completed, at the time of application, a minimum of two academic semesters.

Graduating students may hold an award in the term immediately following the completion of their undergraduate program requirements, as long as they have not started a program of graduate studies.

Full details of the NSERC USRA program may be found at this link on the NSERC website .

In order to apply you must send the following to CITA:

• copy of completed on-line NSERC FORM 202 Part 1 (select the For Students and Fellow dropdown menu and pick FORM 202 Part 1). This can be filled out directly by clicking on Login to the system or Register as a New User . Filling out the form online will not transmit it electronically to NSERC.
• most recent official transcripts (including Fall 2012)
• a letter indicating your preferred areas of research, any relevant skills such as computer programming and previous employment experience (or a CV)
• a confidential letter of reference from a faculty member

All applications and letters should be sent to:

Summer Student Awards
Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics
University of Toronto
60 St. George Street
Toronto, ON
CANADA, M5S 3H8

For further inquiries, please feel free to contact individual project supervisors or the CITA administrative offices at 416-978-6879.

PLEASE NOTE: NSERC will not accept handwritten completed forms.