U of T ENGINEERING

Department of Materials Science & Engineering

Scholarships & Awards

Admissions Scholarships & Awards

Admitted undergraduate students to the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering are automatically considered for most Faculty and Departmental admissions scholarships and awards based on information already submitted in the admission application; For information on how to complete the Engineering supplemental application, please review the details provided on the Online Student Profile (OSP).  There are some admission scholarships and awards that require additional information – please review the details provided on the Financial page on our admission website.

In-Course Scholarships & Awards (for current undergraduate students)

All registered U of T Engineering students are considered for scholarships after each academic year. While some scholarships are based on academic achievement, others have additional criteria (i.e. extra-curricular activities/leadership etc). The Online Engineering Portfolio (ePortfolio) is a place where you can record these activities.  The Faculty's Scholarships Committee uses the information in the ePortfolio to assist them in selecting recipients for awards that take extra-curricular activities and leadership qualities into consideration and to identify potential candidates for awards outside of the Faculty. Additional information is available in the FASE website.

A full listing of FASE scholarships is available in the Faculty Calendar

External & Other Scholarships and Awards

NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA)

NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA)

The NSERC USRA provides research work experience to help develop and inspire student’s potential for graduate studies and a research career in natural sciences and engineering. NSERC encourages qualified black and Indigenous students to apply for this award.

MSE has 7 awards available for 2025 Summer

    • Student submission deadline: Monday, March 3rd, 2025 at 11:59 PM ET
    • Value: $6,000 from NSERC and $1,500 supervisory top-up
    • Duration: 16 full consecutive weeks during the Summer Term between May and September.
    • Level of study: Undergraduate Students
    • Required Legal Status: Domestic (Canadian citizen or permanent resident)
    • Results: April 2025 at the departmental level
    • Award Information and Application Procedure: Please refer to NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs) webpage: https://undergrad.engineering.utoronto.ca/experiential-learning/research-opportunities/nserc-usra/.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, you:

  • are a Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
  • are currently registered student in a Canadian post-secondary institution;
  • have completed at least two academic terms/semesters of your bachelor’s degree (i.e., first year students are not eligible). Students finishing a PEY co-op term in April can also apply for if research can begin in May;
  • have obtained a cumulative average of at least "B-";
  • have not started nor completed graduate studies in Natural Science or Engineering;
  • will be engaged in research and development activities in natural sciences or engineering;
  • will be supervised by faculty members who is currently eligible to hold an NSERC research grant and able to independently supervise students as per their appointment with the university
  • must be able to commit to work, full-time, the full 16 consecutive weeks(for example May 5th – August 22nd, 2025); research must be completed by September 1st.

Additional Notes:

  • USRA is intended to be over and above the academic credits required for degree. Award holders should not receive academic credits for work done during the USRA work term.
  • Award holders may be enrolled in maximum of two courses (1.0 FCE) during the summer, with their supervisor’s permission. The awardee has an obligation for the duration of the award and should drop the course if the work for both becomes unmanageable.
  • A student may hold only one USRA per fiscal year and a maximum of three USRAs throughout their university career.
  • Students are responsible for finding their own supervisors (please see MSE Faculty List). Please contact the supervisors directly to start the conversation.
  • There is no provision for sick leave, vacation, or other interruptions of awards.
    Award cannot be deferred.
  • Remote work is acceptable with supervision expected on a frequent basis. If work is to be completed remotely, please indicate this in your application/project description.
  • Travel allowances will not be granted and the supervisor must cover any additional costs related to fieldwork.

University of Toronto Excellence Awards (UTEA)

The UTEA provides undergraduate students with opportunities to gain direct research experience on a faculty-led project helping students learn and appreciate investigative methodology in areas of interest (natural sciences and engineering, social sciences and humanities, or health and life sciences). The UTEA helps to foster interest in and knowledge of careers in research.

MSE has (TBD) awards available for 2025 Summer

Student submission deadline: March 3rd, 2025 at 11:59pm ET
Value/Duration: $5,250+$2,250 supervisory top-up for 14 weeks (During Summer Session between May to August)
Level of study: Undergraduate Students
Results: April 2025 at the departmental level
Award Information and Application Procedure: Please refer to University of Toronto Excellence Awards (UTEAs) webpage: https://undergrad.engineering.utoronto.ca/experiential-learning/research-opportunities/utea/.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, you:

  • are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, or an international student with a valid student visa for the full summer work term.
  • are currently a full-time registered student in a bachelor’s program at University of Toronto at time of application. Part-time students are also eligible only if it is the final term of studies. Graduating students and students currently on PEY with work term finishing in April are also eligible.
  • have not started nor completed graduate.
  • have obtained a cumulative average (or best two years of study for students in higher years) of at least “B+”.
  • will be supervised by faculty members who is currently eligible to hold an NSERC research grant, under list of eligible NSERC Programs. If supervisor is unsure of their eligibility, please contact mse.undergraduate@utoronto.ca.
  • must be able to commit to work, full-time, for 14 weeks in the summer, beginning no earlier than May 1st and ending no later than August 30th, 2025

Additional Notes:

  • A student may only apply for one UTEA opportunity per year.
  • A student may not concurrently hold a UTEA and a NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA).
  • Preference will normally be given to second and third year students or first-time holders.
  • A student may hold only a maximum of 3 UTEAs throughout their university career.
  • A Research Report must be submitted by October 1, 2025 to Research Funding Officer, Cheryl Nash (cheryl.nash@utoronto.ca).  Template will be provided with UTEA award letters.

Contact

Danny Bui
Undergraduate Liaison Officer
T: 416.978.7308
E: mse.undergraduate@utoronto.ca

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