Undergraduate Research Opportunities

The TRU Research Rookies is an experiential program designed to give students an introduction to research. This group of students will be mentored by other students, faculty, and staff to develop skills in creative inquiry, interdisciplinary teamwork, ideation, implementation, and presentation. Research Rookies will engage in activities intended to demystify the research process, build awareness of research opportunities and resources, and start developing a unique identity as a researcher.

The Research Rookies Program values equity, diversity, and inclusion, and accepts students from all academic disciplines and levels. This experience is designed to strengthen students’ undergraduate education and provide training to enhance skills that will open the door to future opportunities at TRU and beyond.

• Value: $2,000
• Application deadline: Applications are now closed

Open to full-time Canadian students with financial need, these positions allow for part time hours working with the Research office in positions that accommodate your studies. The TRU Research Office Work Study students not only contribute to our day-to-day operations but also have the unique opportunity to develop their own semester-based projects to support student research.

Unfortunately, these positions have been filled for the 2024 Winter Semester. However, if you would like to learn more about how to engage with our office or work with us in the future please do not hesitate to reach out and say hello at [email protected].

Engage in collaborative research endeavors with faculty members who require student assistance in ongoing research projects. If you are interested in contributing to a research project and gaining hands on experience in your field of study, we encourage you to discuss a Research Assistant opportunity with your professors.

TRU offers Research Assistant opportunities to both graduate and undergraduate students. Research Assistants are hired as employees of TRU. Once approved by a faculty member to work as an assistant, that faculty member must submit the necessary forms to TRU’s People and Culture team.

This prestigious program is designed to foster a passion for research among undergraduate Indigenous students. Participants will engage in workshops that are designed to introduce them to research, enable them to contribute to the Knowledge Makers research publication and its dissemination, and provide them with guidance from experienced Indigenous research mentors.

• Value: $1,000
• Workshop dates: February 24 & 25, 2024
• Please visit the Knowledge Makers Webpage for application information

In a Nutshell is an annual undergraduate research competition where students are challenged to present their research in 3 minutes or less! This annual event is hosted by our research ambassador team and is open to any TRU undergraduate students who have participated in research. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 entries. The event is open to all TRU students who wish to watch the presentations.

What to expect: Participants will be asked to present a 1-slide PowerPoint related to their research and answer the following questions in a 3-minute oral presentation:

• What is your research question?
• What research method did you apply?
• What results were obtained?
• What is the significance of your findings?

When: March 20 2024

How to apply: Review the Application Guidelines and submit a response to Google Forms by the application deadline. For further inquiries, please contact: [email protected].

Application form: Apply here

Application guidelines: View application guidelines

Application Deadline: March 8, 2024 by 11:59 PM

The Students as Partners Research Fellowship is an interdisciplinary fellowship open to both undergraduate and graduate students at TRU. Embedded in the philosophy of students as co-creators in research and knowledge, this fellowship will provide students with opportunities to amplify existing and new programming, enhance the quality and impact of research, and build capacity for student research by applying disciplinary methods and training to engagement initiatives across campus.

• Value: $3,000 (multiple awards available)
• Application deadline: March 13, 2024
• Application form: Students as Partners Research Fellowship

Taking place every spring, TRU’s annual on-campus conference is tailored for students to showcase their research discoveries. Students present the findings of their research through engaging poster displays, compelling oral presentations, or even captivating performances. This conference is open to all undergraduate students to present or participate as volunteers.

Step into the spotlight or join the team behind the scenes – the conference awaits your active involvement!

• Conference dates: March 26-28, 2024
• Application form: Apply here

The Department of Philosophy, History and Politics at TRU offers a unique opportunity for undergraduate students. Participate in the student-organized undergraduate conference, held each January, and explore the past and present through presentations in philosophy, history and politics with students from across Western Canada.

• Conference dates: January 19 & 20, 2024
• More info: Instagram @tru.phpconference or email [email protected]

The Student's Union, through the Comprehensive University Enhancement Fund (CUEF) provides students with grant funding to attend conferences and competitions to enhance opportunities for learning outside the classroom.

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The Undergraduate Research Experience Award Program (UREAP) is a $6,000 scholarship that can help you get started in your own original research. It is a way to improve your resume, increase your academic and professional success, and make your time in university more interesting and rewarding.

Application deadlines: Oct. 15 (Fall) & Feb. 28 (Winter)

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This award provides $6,000 funding from NSERC and an additional (minimum) 25% ($1,500) from faculty for domestic or permanent resident undergraduate students in the natural sciences and engineering to engage in research over a 16-week period over the summer (May to August). These are competitive national-level awards (unlimited awards available for Indigenous Students). Students who currently hold a UREAP may not apply for this award using the same project. Students must discuss this opportunity with a faculty member they would like to work with. Faculty members who are authorized to independently supervise students may mentor.

• Value: $6,000
• Application deadline: January 29th 2024
• More info

This award provides a $1,000 supplement to high-calibre students who have been awarded a USRA to complete studies in atmospheric or meteorological sciences.

• Value: $1,000
• Application deadline: June 1, 2024
• More info

This is an immediate and short-term opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to undertake a 12-16-week paid research training internship. Mitacs and TRU have contributed equally toward this opportunity. These student-led projects are designed to enhance student research skills through interaction with faculty and hands-on research and training experience. Projects must begin no later than August 31.

• Value: $6,000, two awards available
• Terms of Reference
• Award Application

This award supports senior undergraduate and graduate student research projects abroad. This is for joint research projects with academic collaborators for a minimum of 12 weeks to a maximum of 24 weeks abroad. Partner countries include Brazil, mainland China, India, Mexico and Vietnam.

• Value: $5,000
• More info

Deadline: November 15

The fellowship was generously created by an anonymous donor for the development of two awards: one for Environmental Sciences and one for Natural Resource Sciences. Recipients — either senior undergraduate or graduate students, domestic and international — will be selected based on their scholarly achievements, their commitment to research and their demonstrated potential for future contributions to our understanding of the environment. The fellowship is a prestigious award with a value of $7,500 for each recipient.

This capstone experience will strengthen students’ undergraduate research understanding and provide training to enhance skills as TRU Ambassadors. This initiative is open to students who have engaged in or are currently engaged in research or creative activities under the guidance of a TRU faculty member.

Ambassadors will work with the Research Office on a range of projects related to undergraduate research. The Ambassador term begins in the summer months with training and kicks off full steam in the Fall and Winter semesters. Applications for the 2024 ambassadors are now open!

• Value: $3000
• Application deadline: March 22, 2024
• Application form: Download form

The Undergraduate Research Certificate allows students to earn formal recognition for their undergraduate research experiences. This will provide students with an additional credential to present to employers and/or graduate schools or professional programs.

As part of the Undergraduate Research Certificate students will need to complete an E-portfolio containing evidence of meeting standards, as well as a reflective essay curated with support from a 1-credit course, RESL 1500.

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