Enhancing the undergraduate research experience
Interested in becoming a PURE supervisor?
The Program for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) provides up to $7,500 of financial support to University of Calgary undergraduates to conduct research for 8, 12 or 16 weeks between May and August. The PURE Award provides students an opportunity to conduct research in collaboration with faculty members, learn about the research process, and discover how they can contribute to and participate in a community of researchers.
Each PURE Award is a unique opportunity for faculty members to mentor undergraduates in an existing or student-proposed research project. Throughout the spring and summer, faculty members engage students in developing their research, collaboration, and communication skills, amplifying students’ ability to engage in research in their chosen field.
As a PURE research supervisor, you will:
- Mentor undergraduate students in completing an existing or student-proposed research project.
- Supervise undergraduate student researcher(s) who are financially supported and receive professional development with quality workshops and resources through the PURE program
- Be part of a research awards program that combines curiosity, discovery, creativity and reflection into an immersive experiential learning opportunity.
Important dates
2023 PURE Program applications are now closed. PURE 2024 applications will open near the end of 2023.
How does faculty supervision work?
The supervisor of a PURE award holder is expected to mentor and support the student, providing an opportunity for the student to learn and develop research skills. The supervisor is to ensure the student can conduct their research experience in a safe and ethical environment, following procedures and rules of the University of Calgary, and if applicable those of the specific research environment in which the student is engaged. The supervisor is to meet regularly with the student, and provide regular feedback and support to the student and the student's research project. The supervisor is to review and approve the student's final PURE report to ensure the report adequately explains the award holder's research successes and challenges.
Students may have supervisors from their own faculty or from different faculties. Supervisors must be full-time UCalgary academic staff members.
Eligible full-time staff members include assistant, associate and full professors, instructors, senior instructors, teaching professors, clinical faculty appointments, librarians, archivists, curators and professors emeritus with an active UCID.
UCalgary academic staff who are not full-time can co-supervise, but will require an eligible full-time academic staff member to co-supervise and be listed as the primary reference on the application. Staff who are not full-time include sessional or affiliated instructors, adjunct professors and instructors, postdoctoral fellowship holders, guest postdoctoral scholars and postdoctoral associates.
To create the maximum number of PURE opportunities for students and supervisors, a supervisor may oversee up to two students in the application system.
No, the award is intended to provide University of Calgary students with a research experience and University of Calgary funds are dedicated for this purpose.
Professors are not required to provide additional money to supplement the PURE Award. If they do so, it is at their discretion.
Supervisor application process
Find a student
Students are encouraged to approach faculty members for research supervision. Supervisors are welcome to approach students with a research opportunity.
Support your student’s PURE application
Find out more about the format of the application and the rubric that will be used to evaluate each submission.
Student submits their application
Ensure your student submits their application by the deadline at the top of the page. Once they submit, you will receive an automatic email to your UCalgary account with a link to submit your portion of the application.
Submit your reference
Ensure you submit your portion of the application by the deadline at the top of the page.
How are PURE Award recipients selected?
The primary adjudication of PURE proposals is done by faculty-based committees. Each PURE application is reviewed independently by two faculty members who have a relevant area of expertise. Based on these reviews, all of the PURE proposals are ranked and submitted to a committee that uses the Faculty-based assessments in determining the PURE recipients. Decisions of the committee are final and cannot be appealed.
Is ethics approval required?
All research involving human participants, animal use and the handling and storage of bio-hazard materials must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate University Board or Committee before research commences.