The payment via 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.

Specific opportunities for students to participate in this pilot project will be posted on the listing of opportunities on the RAP Web site. Use the drop down menu in "Job Opportunities" and click on "Research Affiliate Program" to access RAP opportunities.

Successful application for such a bursary will require an ESS staff member to serve in a co-supervisory role with respect to the conduct of the research at the student's university.

The RAP bursary will be financially equivalent to a NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA) or Postgraduate Scholarship (PGSM and PGSD) and will be paid by ESS directly to the Student normally in the first two weeks of September, January and May. Visit the NSERC Web site for PGSM and PGSD rates.

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 Student 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, the Student will have the status and privileges and will require the security clearances equivalent to those of a participant in the ESS volunteer program.

For the purpose of supporting the continuation of payment of the bursary, the Student will provide six month reports as to progress towards research goals. Such reports are due April 1 and October 1 in each year the bursary is in effect. These reports require the approval and signatures of the appropriate university and ESS supervisory staff. The Bursary will be paid for up to one year for a Bachelors (final year), two years for a Masters and three years (with a possible extension of one additional year) for a Doctorate program of study, conditional on fully satisfactory bi-yearly progress reports.

During the tenure of the bursary the Student shall not publish, disclose or release any Confidential Information to any third party nor reproduce in any form or use any Confidential Information provided by ESS for his/her own or any other person’s benefit, for a period of two (2) years following the termination or expiration of this Agreement, without ESS’s prior written authorization. The Crown retains possession of Intellectual Property (IP) related to material produced by the Student. While the Crown retains the IP rights, ESS will ensure that the Student is granted the ability to publish his/her findings and research as required (e.g., in order to fulfill academic requirements.)