Overview

WCVM initially developed the summer research program because of Western Canada's need for attracting more veterinarians to jobs in research, diagnostic laboratories, regulatory work or academia.

The program is designed to provide encouraging and positive research experiences to undergraduate students who are enrolled in veterinary medicine as well as in pre-health sciences courses at the University of Saskatchewan.

Research mentors — members of WCVM's faculty — must demonstrate that their students will have a positive experience with direct involvement in planning and developing a research study, conducting experiments, collecting and summarizing results, and writing and editing a research report. 

Besides gaining valuable research experience, summer research students have access to leadership and communication skills workshops. The research program also gives students the opportunity to meet with veterinarians working in industry and government. Another addition is an annual research poster day that encourages undergraduate student to showcase their research work. 

Interprovincial Program

The WCVM's longest-running undergraduate research program is financially supported by British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba — the college's three provincial funding partners. The program provides WCVM veterinary students with valuable research experiences and introduces them to the world of veterinary and biomedical research. Ultimately, the goal is to encourage more western Canadian students to pursue advanced training in veterinary medicine or biomedical sciences.


Once a research supervisor-mentor is identified, the student will work with the mentor to design and formulate a summer research project. After the research work has been completed, students must submit a project report that provides specific details about the student's work and findings. The student will also present a poster at the annual WCVM undergraduate research poster day in early September.

The WCVM Research and Graduate Studies Office annually accepts applications for the Interprovincial Undergraduate Summer Research program in January. Final decisions will be announced by the first week in February.

PLEASE NOTE: all applicants must meet the minimum 70 per cent GPA requirement.

Please complete the application form and append the following materials:

  • Curriculum vitae for student
  • Covering letter from supervisor indicating:
    • their willingness to undertake the supervision of this research
    • feasibility of the proposed research
    • learning outcomes for the student
    • data on the supervision of undergraduate students in the past five years: 
      • names of undergraduate students supervised
      • peer-reviewed publications by the students
      • conference presentations with undergraduate students as authors
      • names of undergraduate students who continued on to graduate work
  • Assurance of animal care form

Please submit the completed application and materials to the appropriate department head by January 13, 2025.

Department heads will submit all applications from their respective departments — along with rankings — to the WCVM Research and Graduate Studies Office by January 20, 2025. Please email all applications and rankings to wcvm.research@usask.ca. 

Undergraduate students who are involved in the program receive a stipend of $2,600 per month for the summer months (May 1 to August 15). Selected students also receive $500 in support of their research projects.

Boehringer Ingelheim Program

The Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars program (formerly Merial Veterinary Scholars program) is an exciting mentorship initiative for undergraduate students who have demonstrated excellence in their studies and an interest in gaining exposure to biomedical research. 

Each year, the mentorship program annually provides 150 first- and second-year veterinary students across North America with hands-on experience in biomedical science. Every August, students attend the Boehringer Ingelheim Symposium that's annually hosted by selected North American veterinary institutions.

At the WCVM, the program pairs selected students with highly accomplished researchers. In addition to a focused research project, the selected students take part in enrichment activities such as workshops on data analysis, data presentation and preparation of manuscripts.

Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars are also taken on tours of research facilities located at University of Saskatchewan. The undergraduate students are also invited to participate in laboratory-specific journal clubs plus college-wide seminar series.


Please contact the WCVM Research and Graduate Studies Office for more information: wcvm.research@usask.ca

Key dates

Application process

  • Same application as Interprovincial Undergraduate Summer Research Award

Top-rated applications will be selected for this award based on the following criteria: 

  • Academic performance
  • Letter of intent including the proposal
  • Preference to those without previous research experience

Mentor criteria:

  • Track record in undergraduate research mentoring
  • Comments from previous summer research students
  • Current extra-mural research funding
  • Research group: graduate and postdoctoral students and journal club

The WCVM has an excellent research infrastructure that includes newly-expanded laboratory space and state-of-the-art research equipment. The WCVM has more than 150 graduate students who are available to interact with the undergraduate students and to answer their questions about graduate programs and potential careers in research. 

Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars receive a stipend of about $2,700 per month over three and a half months. Each selected student also receives $500 in support of the research project.

It is expected that the student and the supervisor will participate in the development of the research proposal. It is expected that projects will be done at the WCVM, primarily under the supervision of a WCVM faculty member. One or more students from other veterinary colleges may also apply to participate in the program at the WCVM: travel expenses for those students will be paid for by the WCVM. 

NSERC USRA program

About

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) provides Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs) to stimulate interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering, providing funding for 16 weeks of research-related employment. 

Key date

  • January TBD, 2025 (4:30 p.m. CST): deadline for the NSERC USRA 2025 competition applications 

USRAs are meant to stimulate your interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering. They are also meant to encourage students to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields.

If you would like to gain research work experience that complements your studies in an academic setting, these awards can provide you with financial support through your host university. This program is managed institutionally through the university's Office of the Vice-President Research (OVPR). Click on the green button below to visit the OVPR website.