PURE awards offer undergrad research funding opportunity

Maddison Canuel spent her summer studying bumblebees — specifically looking at the wing wear they experience due to the distances they fly searching for food.

The fourth-year ecology student had the opportunity to experience research outside the classroom thanks to funding provided by the University of Calgary Program for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE). “I heard about the awards through other people in my program that had done independent research projects in past years,” says Canuel. “The most eye-opening experience for me was my first day alone in the field. I went out very confident in what I was doing but quickly found out that I needed a plan B for almost everything, including broken equipment and field note organization.”

The PURE award is an opportunity for students to work with University of Calgary researchers to learn how research projects are developed and conducted, and how research results can contribute to new knowledge and solve problems in a field of research and in society. The award provides financial support to students who conduct research for eight, 12 or 16 weeks between May and August.

“PURE provides a fantastic opportunity for undergraduate students to have an authentic learning experience,” says Leslie Reid, vice-provost (teaching and learning). “Research experience helps students foster curiosity and practise skills including problem-solving, data collection and analysis, communication and collaboration.” 

Applications for spring-summer 2018 are now open and the deadline for applications is Feb. 8. Supervisor evaluations are due Feb. 15 and cannot be completed until the student completes their portion of the online form.

The PURE awards are a joint initiative of the provost and vice-president (academic) and the vice-president (research). To learn more about the award and the online application process, please visit the PURE website.