Giving Canadian University Students a Taste for Research

NSERC launches $2.9 million expansion of its successful undergraduate program

Ottawa, Ontario, March 14, 2002 – The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has injected a further $2.9 million into its Undergraduate Student Research Awards bringing the annual program budget to $15.5 million.

The competition is open to Canadian university undergraduates and the successful applicants gain a paid, 16-week work experience in either a university or industrial research facility.

Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for NSERC, praised the program: "People are key to the success of Canada's innovation agenda and I applaud NSERC's promotion of research as a career option. This is a wonderful opportunity for bright undergraduates to enter the world of research and acquire valuable new tools ranging from technical expertise to critical management skills."

"Innovation is about changing and improving the way Canadians live, work and learn," explained Maurizio Bevilacqua, Secretary of State for Science, Research and Development. "It's about creating opportunity for our children."

As a result of today's announcement, there will be 250 new awards for students working in university-based research, and 50 new awards for those working in industry-based research. In total, 2,780 students will be working in a university and 650 in industry. NSERC will also increase its contribution from $4,000 to $4,500 per student. A further 20 of the research awards are reserved for qualified Aboriginal applicants.

The sponsoring university or company will supplement the NSERC payment to each student by a minimum of $1,125.

"We know from surveys that this program has been very successful in helping students settle on a career direction," said NSERC president Tom Brzustowski. "For many, it's the first introduction to the exciting world of research and that motivates them to consider a research career industry or academia."

NSERC is the primary federal agency investing in people, discovery and innovation. The Council supports both basic university research through research grants, and project research through partnerships among universities, governments and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people.

On February 12, 2002, the Government of Canada launched Canada's Innovation Strategy, two papers that lay out a plan to address skills and innovation challenges for the next decade. The paper released by Minister Rock was entitled Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity. It proposes goals, targets and priorities for Canada over the next decade to: create knowledge and bring ideas to market more quickly; ensure a skilled workforce in the new economy; modernize business and regulatory policies while protecting the public interest; and strengthen communities by supporting innovation at the local level. Today's announcement supports this strategy.

For more information about Canada's Innovation Strategy or to obtain a copy of either Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians or Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity, please call 1-800-O-CANADA (1-800-622-6232) or visit www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca

For more information, contact:

Tim Russwurm
Scholarships and Fellowships Division, NSERC
Tel.: (613) 995-5598
E-mail: Tim.Russwurm@nserc.ca

Francis Lionnet
Communications, NSERC
Tel.: (613) 992-9001
E-mail: fzl@nserc.ca