Undergraduate Research awards in Physics & Astronomy for Indigenous students
A paid, mentored summer research program at UBC Physics & Astronomy for students self-identifying as First Nations, Inuit, and Métis at Canadian universities. Build real research skills, join a supportive cohort, and come back the following summer to go deeper.
Apply (2026): Apply here!
The Award
Paid research, 14–16 weeks: You will join a top-tier research group in the UBC Department of Physics and Astronomy for the summer term. Under the supervision of a faculty member, you’ll engage in an ongoing research project. The duration of the research placement can be negotiated with the supervisor, ranging from a minimum of 14 weeks to a maximum of 16 weeks. Participants will receive a minimum monthly stipend for the summer.
Travel support: You will receive an award of 2000 CAD in addition to the stipend to help cover travel expenses to and from UBC.
Mentorship and networking: You’ll have the opportunity to participate in professional development events and workshops with a cohort of Launchpad students, and to network with fellow researchers in Physics and Astronomy.
Continuity: You may return for a second summer in the program. All returning students are guaranteed a place for two consecutive years.
Who can participate?
This program is open to undergraduate students who:
- Self-identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis
- Are enrolled in a STEM program at one of the eligible institutions for NSERC USRA
- Have completed at least two academic terms prior to the summer award period
- Will reside in British Columbia from May to August during the research term
Application Fee and Research Pay
Application Fee: There is no application fee for this program.
Single-stream application: Students applying to Launchpad will automatically also be considered for an NSERC USRA award! There is no need to apply to both programs – LaunchPad participants may receive an NSERC USRA as part of their LaunchPad experience.
The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program supports more than 3,000 students annually and is administered jointly by Canada’s three granting agencies: the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). More information is available on the NSERC website.
Research pay: Equivalent to a NSERC USRA.
Application Timeline (2026)
- Prepare materials: brief statement of interest, CV/resumé, transcript, and an indication of your preferred research projects (see the list of available projects)
- Submit application by January 15th: Complete the online form available in the Apply tab of this website.
- Selection – Late January 2026: We confirm placements with supervisors and send out offers to successful applicants.
- Summer research period – May – August (inclusive) 2026
Origins
Launchpad began as a 2022 pilot—a PHAS/SBQMI/TRIUMF collaboration that introduced students from equity-deserving groups to research, labs, and grad-school pathways. Learn about the 2022 pilot
Contact
Have questions about eligibility, applications, or anything else?
Launchpad is an initiative of the UBC Department of Physics & Astronomy, stewarded by the PHAS EDI Committee.