University of Toronto Excellence Awards (UTEA)


Overview and Application Guidelines

Purpose

The purpose of the UTEA program is to provide opportunities for research experience at the undergraduate level in the Natural Sciences & Engineering (NSE), Social Sciences & Humanities (SSH), and Health & 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 Value & Duration

The duration of the award is 14 weeks during the summer term, between May 1 and September 30.

    • UTEA-SSH: $7500 CAD ($5250 CAD provided by the University to be matched by a minimum of $2250 by the student’s supervisor and / or department). Any supplement above this level may be set at the supervisor’s or department’s discretion.

How to Apply

  • Develop an excellent, feasible research project that you can conduct with a faculty supervisor over the summer
  • Read through the Program Guidelines.
  • UTEA applications are jointly submitted by: 1) the student and 2) the faculty member who will supervise and oversee the research project
  • Submit your Application Form; student completes Part I, faculty member completes Part II and submit your application to awards.ischool@utoronto.ca prior to the deadline, below, with the email subject line: UTEA Summer 2024.

DEADLINE: March 27, 2024 11:59PM ET

Eligibility

Base Requirements / Eligibility:

    • Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada, or foreign student with valid student visa for the full summer work term.
    • Registered (at the time of application) as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program at the University of Toronto (and not holding higher degrees in NSE or SSH).
    • Must 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.
    • May already hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and be studying towards a second bachelor’s degree in NSE or SSH.
    • Registered full-time throughout their program, except for the final session, during which they were only required to register part-time in order to complete their degree. The award must be held in the session immediately following their final session.

You are ineligible if you are:

  • Currently enrolled in an undergraduate professional degree program in the health sciences (e.g., M.D., D.D.S., B.Sc.N.). Holds higher degrees in the NSE or SSH.
  • Holds higher degrees above Bachelor’s.
  • Enrolled in graduate studies.

Limitations / Restrictions:

    • A student may only be nominated in one department under one supervisor, and may not apply to both UTEA-NSE and UTEA-SSH in the same year.
    • A student may not concurrently hold a UTEA and a NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA).
    • Preference will normally be given to second and third year students.
    • A student may hold only one UTEA per fiscal year (i.e., April 1 to March 31).
    • A student may hold a maximum of 3 UTEAs throughout their university career, although priority will be given to applicants who will be first-time holders if selected. 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.

To HOLD an award, you must:

    • Have been registered full-time in the term immediately before holding the award unless only part-time study was required to complete degree requirements.
    • Not have started a program of graduate studies in NSE or SSH.

Supervisor Eligibility

    • Maximum of 2 UTEA applications per eligible supervisor.
    • A supervisor must hold an active NSERC or SSHRC research grant (either as the principal investigator or the co-investigator) at the time their student holds the UTEA award (i.e. May 1 – September 30, 2024 or is actively seeking funding under the eligible NSERC or SSHRC programs as defined in this guideline document. In the latter case, an application must have been submitted to an eligible NSERC or SSHRC program by the supervisor at the time the student applies for a UTEA with the result of the NSERC or SSHRC application pending.
    • Please connect with us if you are unsure whether you can be a UTEA supervisor.

SSHRC

University of Toronto Faculty members who hold any SSHRC grant are eligible to supervise students applying for a UTEA-SSH, with the exception of the programs as noted below.

Exclusions

University of Toronto Faculty members holding only the grants below are not eligible:

    • Aileen D. Ross Fellowship
    • Alice Wilson Award
    • Bora Laskin National Fellowship in Human Rights Research
    • Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHMC) – SSHRC Housing Research
    • Training Awards Program
    • CMHC-SSHRC Joint Initiative: Collaborative Housing Research Network
    • Connections—Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
    • Department of National Defence MINDS Scholarship Initiative
    • International Space University Fellowship
    • Joint Initiative for Digital Citizen Research
    • Jules and Gabrielle Léger Fellowship
    • Mitacs Canadian Science Policy Fellowships
    • Parliamentary Internship Program
    • Partnership Grants – Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Joint Initiative
    • Presidential Fund for Innovation and Development
    • Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Scholarships
    • Queen’s Fellowship
    • Scholarly Publications
    • SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships
    • SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships
    • William E. Taylor Fellowship
    • SSHRC Connection Grants (including other grants solely for research communication and dissemination)
    • SSHRC Institutional Grants (SIG)

Research Environment and Fieldwork

It is expected that provisions will be made for alternative supervision of the student during absences of the supervisor, and that any additional costs related to fieldwork (e.g. travel expenses) will be covered by the supervisor or the department.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The University of Toronto recognizes that diversity is essential to the creation of a vibrant intellectual community that allows our researchers and students to maximize their creativity and their contributions. We are strongly committed to diversity in research and especially welcome applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal Peoples of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

All Faculties and divisions will ensure all efforts are made to incorporate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion principles within their selection process.