nserc

[uoftearss]

hi, i'm in first year. is nserc very competitive? what exactly is it and do you need insane prior research experience to get a spot?

sorry for the noob question. i'm just beginning my uni journey!

[DrOtter]

depending on how many awards your school gets and how many people apply for them. They are often competitive and a transcript with straight As will help because they're based solely on GPA. You don't have to have any prior research experience really and most kids who get them are going into 2nd or 3rd year. You do have to have a supervisor's support in order submit the application so I guess you just need to meet up with a prof and convince them.

[MedWonderer]

Is NSERC even going to be a possibility this summer due to the pandemic? 

[KitKatCo]

1 hour ago, MedWonderer said:

Is NSERC even going to be a possibility this summer due to the pandemic? 

I believe NSERCs for this summer were awarded. Depending on your school, they are trying to avoid cancelling them. My school is working with supervisors to still let students "do" research, but only dry lab stuff (data processing, compiling, presentations...). Students are effectively banned from campus labs at this point...