# Awards and research opportunities

**Source**: https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/current-undergraduate-students/research-opportunities
**Parent**: https://cs.uwaterloo.ca

## Undergraduate research opportunities

The Cheriton School of Computer Science provides several exciting part-time and full-time research opportunities to its undergraduate students. These awards provide students with the opportunity to gain experience in research by working part-time or full-time for a term with a faculty member in their area of interest. Undergraduate students should consider pursuing awards like the NSERC USRA if they are interested in research or help them decide whether they want to continue their studies on a graduate level.

[part-time research assistantships

URA program](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/current-undergraduate-students/research-opportunities/ura)

[Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

NSERC USRA](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/usra)

[Mathematics Undergraduate Research Award

MURA](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/current-undergraduate-students/research-opportunities/mura)

[Undergraduate Research Fellowship

URF](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/current-undergraduate-students/research-opportunities/undergraduate-research-fellowship-urf)

### Thinking of Graduate studies?

Passionate about research and interested in continuing your education by pursuing graduate studies? Consider applying to the  [combined bachelor's/master's programs](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-academic-calendar/mathematics/david-r-cheriton-school-computer-science/accelerated-masters-program-computer-science) that allow students to start graduate studies during the last year of their undergraduate studies.

## Research awards and scholarships

## CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Award

The CRA's [Outstanding Undergraduate Award](http://cra.org/awards/undergrad-current/) program recognizes undergraduate students who show outstanding research potential. Typical applicants are in their last year of studies and know one or more professors who can write strong letters supporting their research abilities.

If you feel that you are a strong candidate for this award, please contact the [Computer Science awards co-ordinator](mailto:csadvisor@uwaterloo.ca) in August or September as applications are due in early fall.

## Math research awards

- [President's Upper-Year Awards (SAFA)](https://uwaterloo.ca/student-awards-financial-aid/undergraduate-awards/presidents-upper-year-awards)
- [President's Research Award (PRA)](https://uwaterloo.ca/forms/undergraduate-studies/presidents-research-award-application)
- [President's International Experience Award](https://uwaterloo.ca/forms/undergraduate-studies/presidents-international-experience-award-application)
- [Undergraduate Awards Database (SAFA)](https://uwaterloo.ca/student-awards-financial-aid/awards/database)
- [Jessie W.H. Zou Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research](https://uwaterloo.ca/math/jessie-wh-zou-memorial-award-excellence-undergraduate)
- [Germain – Erdős Undergraduate Award in Mathematics Research](https://uwaterloo.ca/math/germain-erdos-undergraduate-award-mathematics-research)

## University awards and scholarships

- [President's Upper-Year Awards (SAFA)](https://uwaterloo.ca/student-awards-financial-aid/undergraduate-awards/presidents-upper-year-awards)
- [President's Research Award (PRA)](https://uwaterloo.ca/forms/undergraduate-studies/presidents-research-award-application)
- [President's International Experience Award](https://uwaterloo.ca/forms/undergraduate-studies/presidents-international-experience-award-application)
- [Undergraduate Awards Database (SAFA)](https://uwaterloo.ca/student-awards-financial-aid/awards/database)

## Undergraduate students in research

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

## [Hadas Barabash and Leyi Yan receive Jessie W.H. Zou Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news/hadas-barabash-leyi-yan-receive-jessie-wh-zou-memorial-award-excellence-undergraduate-research)

Computer Science students Hadas Barabash and Leyi Yan have won the 2025 Jessie W.H. Zou Memorial Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research.

As recipients, each receives a $1,000 prize in recognition of outstanding research during their final year of study.

- [Current students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[1]=1)
  →
  [Current undergraduate students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[2]=2)

Thursday, May 15, 2025

## [Valentio Iverson wins Germain-Erdős Undergraduate Award in Mathematical Research](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news/valentio-iverson-wins-germain-erdos-undergraduate-award-in-mathematical-research)

Valentio Iverson, a fourth-year Computer Science major, has won the 2025 Germain-Erdős award, a recognition conferred annually for “remarkable contributions to basic mathematical research” by a student who has done a successful Undergraduate Research Assistant placement.

- [Current students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[1]=1)
  →
  [Current undergraduate students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[2]=2);
- [Alumni](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[9]=9);
- [Parents](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[10]=10);
- [International](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[13]=13);
- [Media](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[14]=14)

Friday, March 28, 2025

## [UR2PhD program at Waterloo opens doors to meaningful CS research for students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news/ur2phd-program-at-waterloo-opens-doors-meaningful-cs-research-for-students)

Launched by the Computing Research Association in 2023, the UR2PhD program is designed to broaden access to undergraduate research experiences and inspire students to pursue graduate studies.

Among its institutional partners is the University of Waterloo, where Cheriton School of Computer Science Professor Edith Law coordinates the program locally.

- [Current students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[1]=1)
  →
  [Current undergraduate students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[2]=2), [Current graduate students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[3]=3);
- [Future students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[4]=4)
  →
  [Future undergraduate students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[5]=5);
- [Faculty](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[7]=7);
- [Staff](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[8]=8)

Thursday, January 9, 2025

## [Computer science student Chris Trevisan receives 2025 CRA Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news/cs-student-chris-trevisan-receives-2025-cra-outstanding-undergraduate-researcher-award)

Chris Trevisan, a fourth-year computer science student, is one of eight recipients — and the only recipient from a Canadian university — to receive the 2025 Computing Research Association Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award. The association’s top recognition honours exceptional undergraduate students from universities across North America who demonstrate outstanding research potential in the field of computing.

- [Current students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[1]=1)
  →
  [Current undergraduate students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[2]=2);
- [Future students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[4]=4)
  →
  [Future undergraduate students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[5]=5);
- [Faculty](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[7]=7);
- [Staff](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[8]=8);
- [Alumni](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[9]=9);
- [Employers](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[12]=12);
- [International](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[13]=13);
- [Media](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[14]=14)

Monday, October 21, 2024

## [Kefan Cao receives 2024 K.D. Fryer Gold Medal, an award conferred for academic excellence and good citizenship](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news/kefan-cao-receives-2024-kd-fryer-gold-medal-award)

For Kefan Cao, university has been about finding a balance between working hard and having fun.

Cao is this year’s recipient of the Faculty of Mathematics [K.D. Fryer Gold Medal](https://uwaterloo.ca/math/medal-winners/kd-fryer-medal), an honour given to a student who exemplifies academic excellence, good citizenship and involvement in extracurricular activities. He graduates this Friday with a Bachelor of Computer Science degree.

- [Current students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[1]=1)
  →
  [Current undergraduate students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[2]=2);
- [Future students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[4]=4)
  →
  [Future undergraduate students](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[5]=5);
- [Faculty](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[7]=7);
- [Staff](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[8]=8);
- [Alumni](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[9]=9);
- [Parents](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[10]=10);
- [Media](https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/news?audience[14]=14)