Springboard Atlantic has partnered with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) to help increase regional opportunities for Atlantic companies to work with undergraduate students to conduct research activities.
Under this partnership, small and medium-sized Atlantic Canada companies can apply to work with undergraduate science and engineering students, on a 16-week research project and receive a reimbursement of up to $6,500 per undergraduate student ($4,500 from NSERC and $2,000 from IRAP.) Springboard Atlantic administers the reimbursements of these funds for NRC-IRAP. Students must be paid a minimum salary of $7,625 over the 16-week period.
“When you have a program that pays a substantial portion of the student’s salary, it helps minimize the risk from that investment,” says Dr. Stephen Ewart of OmniActive Health Technologies. Dr. Stephen Ewart supervised an intern hired as a result of the I-USRA program funding.
“The students companies get are smart, enthusiastic and are particularly open to new ideas,” says Dr. Ewart. "The I-USRA program is a great way to test drive a student’s capabilities in a short-term position and to see if they have the potential to become a future employee. We at OmniActive recommend this program whole-heartedly." OmniActive Health Technologies (Canada) Limited, situated in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island is focused on the discovery of new dietary ingredients for the health supplement and functional food markets.
The I-USRA program gives companies the chance to stretch their budget by covering one or more students help you with your R&D needs. For the student, they gain valuable experience that will help them succeed in their chosen career.
Download a 2-page summary of this program.
Equals6 is a unique social networking site to connect employers and students. Students complete profiles, compete for exclusive scholarships and discover exciting career opportunities. Employers can recruit top students.
For information on the I-USRA program and how to apply, please consult the following websites:
I-USRA Program Information
Application Instructions
Applications must be submitted to NSERC via the on-line application site.
For more information, contact:
NSERC
Jason Frenette
Research Partnerships Promotion Officer
Atlantic Regional Office
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
Moncton, NB E1A 7R1
Tel: 506-854-7767
Jason.Frenette@nserc-crsng.gc.ca
www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca
NRC-IRAP
Nicole LeBlanc-Richard
Industrial Technology Advisor
National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
Moncton, NB E1A 7R1
Tel: (506) 861-0971
nicole.leblanc-richard@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Springboard Atlantic
Catherine Vardy
Network Manager
Springboard Atlantic Inc.
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 0A8
Tel: (902) 444-3234
cvardy@springboardatlantic.ca
www.springboardatlantic.ca