The payment of a bursary in the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) is a pilot project being conducted by the Earth Sciences Sector (ESS), Natural Resources Canada. It is intended to assist in the development of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) in Canada and, at the same time, provide ESS access to the intellectual talents of registered university students to achieve its Science and Technology goals through the conduct of cooperative research. The cooperative research must be relevant to the outputs and outcomes of the current ESS Programs, Services and Transformative Projects.

The RAP bursary will be financially equivalent to a NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship (PGSM and PGSD) and will normally be paid, by ESS directly to the Student in September, January and May. Visit the NSERC Web site for PGSM and PGSD rates.

Under this Program, there is no financial mechanism for additional financing or supplements for the Student support. The University counterpart may wish to contribute directly to the student support via financial mechanisms in place at their own organization.

Travel authorization and subsequent claims, analytical or field expenses will be submitted through the regular ESS approval process and to the appropriate organization for reimbursement/payment.

The payment of a RAP bursary does not include the provision of any other benefits, such as medical, dental and liability insurance. These are the responsibility of the RAP recipient and should be discussed with the Student’s university. If it is necessary to attend and use ESS facilities and/or participate on any ESS field parties in conjunction with activities related to the RAP bursary, ESS staff must ensure that the Student has the status and privileges and the security clearances equivalent to those of a participant in the ESS volunteer program.

It is possible to re-employ or support a student under the RAP that was previously under the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP). View the details of the process of how to employ students through RAP.

As it is generally assumed that the RAP bursary will support the conduct of research leading to a thesis, it is expected that the ESS staff will act in a co-supervisory role with respect to such a thesis and the Student’s general educational experience. A survey of Earth Science Departments in Canada indicates that the policies as to co-supervision are variable and may or may not involve having Adjunct Professor Status at the university. It is the responsibility of the ESS staff member involved to ensure the appropriate status is acquired in order to act as co-supervisor. A full and comprehensive budget must be prepared and approved by the appropriate RC Manager for the period covered by the student’s bursary work. The products emanating from the student’s work are expected to be an integrated activity within an approved ESS Program or Service and outlined in SPS.

ESS is piloting this bursary program, so it is necessary to document and analyze the process. To facilitate this, a RAP departmental coordinator will be assigned to monitor the pilot program. Until such an appointment is in place, please send copies of all the documentation associated with the acquisition and the monitoring reports of the RAP student to the Office of the Chief Scientist, ESS.