Helping to solve some of the world's most pressing challenges
At Queen鈥檚 University, we embed research into all aspects of the student learning experience.
We create opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to apply their passion, curiosity, and problem-solving abilities to society鈥檚 most significant and urgent challenges.
Undergraduate student research
Engaging in research and discovery is one of the most powerful learning strategies for students. It reinforces critical and creative thinking, encourages curiosity, and fosters skills essential to collaboration and problem-solving.
Research activities also enable faculty to impart essential knowledge, foster critical thinking, and contribute to the intellectual development of students.
Undergraduate research is vital to the university as we fulfill our broader mission of enabling knowledge mobilization and increasing research impact.
Understanding the undergraduate research experience
New to research at Queen鈥檚? The free Undergraduate Research Experience online course is a great starting point. This short, self-paced course helps you:
- debunk common myths about who can pursue research
- learn how research works at Queen鈥檚 through insights from faculty
- explore a wide range of research opportunities across faculties and the wider Queen鈥檚 research ecosystem
Funding and opportunities for undergraduate students
The following opportunities are supported through the Vice-Principal Research Portfolio. To learn more about institutional or department-specific opportunities, students are encouraged to explore the Undergraduate Research Experience free online course.
The Undergraduate Student Summer Research Fellowships (USSRF) provides undergraduate students at Queen鈥檚 the opportunity to develop their research skills under the guidance of a faculty researcher.
USSRF projects are 16-weeks of full-time paid work (May-August).
Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) provide financial support to engage students in research, with a goal of nurturing their interest and fully developing their potential for a research career in the natural sciences and engineering.
They are funded mainly by the Tri-Council.
Inquiry@黄色视频 (I@Q) Undergraduate Research Conference is an annual conference that celebrates curiosity-driven research.
It is the university鈥檚 signature undergraduate learning experience, and is rooted in the idea that teachers and learners can be one and the same.
I@Q showcases the depth and quality of undergraduate scholarship at Queen鈥檚 through oral presentations, posters, and panels.
The Vice-Principal Research Undergraduate Prize recognizes the top two oral presentations delivered at the Inquiry@Queen鈥檚 conference.
Each recipient receives a $1,000 prize.
Established in February 2024, the award honours academic excellence, strengthens the connection between teaching and research, and highlights the impact of undergraduate research at Queen鈥檚.
Queen鈥檚 Summer Undergraduate Research Growth Experience (Q-SURGE) program is professional development program that has been designed as a complement to course-based and faculty-supported disciplinary training, to better equip our participants for their future research experiences and careers.
Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) is a competitive initiative that invites international undergraduates to participate in a 12-week research internship under the supervision of Canadian academic institution faculty members. It is open to students in across a variety of academic disciplines.
The (CASST) competition invites undergraduate students to show their work and includes networking opportunities and professional development sessions. Participation in person or virtually is welcome, and prizes are awarded for best talks. It is co-sponsored by SNOLAB and the McDonald Institute.
This opportunity is closed for 2025.
Student publications
Each year, the Undergraduate Student Summer Research Fellowships (USSRF) and the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) students have their research abstracts published, showcasing the broad disciplinary participation in undergraduate research to the 黄色视频 community and beyond.
Connect with us
The undergraduate research support team can help you along every stage of your research journey. Whether you鈥檙e exploring opportunities for the first time, preparing to apply for a program, or looking for guidance as you develop and share your project, we鈥檙e here to help you navigate your options and connect you with resources.
Contact the teamNominate your mentors
Have you had a mentor or professor who鈥檚 made a lasting difference in your academic journey? Show your appreciation by nominating them for an internal award.
This award is meant to honour the contributions of professors who have encouraged undergraduate research at Queen鈥檚.
Promoting Student Inquiry Teaching Award: The Principal鈥檚 Teaching and Learning Awards are conferred annually to educators and staff who show outstanding leadership and innovation in teaching and learning.
Graduate students
Graduate students and postdoctoral have many opportunities to engage deeply in research processes. The School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (SGSPA) champions diverse forms of scholarship and supports scholars in pursuing high-quality research that drives innovation and advances their fields.
More on graduate and postdoctoral research opportunities