About Open AIR

Are you a self-identified Black undergraduate student interested in exploring how law, technology, innovation, and economics shape responses to global challenges such as climate action?

Open African Innovation Research (Open AIR), based at the Centre for Law, Technology and Society at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, invites applications from Black undergraduate students interested in gaining hands-on research experience while contributing to cutting-edge research on innovation, intellectual property, and climate action.

Open AIR is an international network of researchers studying how knowledge governance systems affect sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and technological change, particularly in Africa and other regions of the Global South. Our work brings together an interdisciplinary team of scholars in law, economics, and public policy to understand how innovation systems can support inclusive development, sustainable economies, and climate resilience.

Through this research opportunity, the selected student will work closely with supervising professor(s) and become part of a dynamic international research network that collaborates with universities, policymakers, and innovation actors across Africa and beyond.

This opportunity is offered through the Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) program, which provides financial support for undergraduate students to undertake full-time research placements during the summer.

Project Details

The selected student will contribute to ongoing research within the Open AIR network on topics such as intellectual property and climate action, artificial intelligence, regulation for innovation, and traditional knowledge.

Working with the supervising professor, the student may assist with activities such as literature reviews, policy analysis, research synthesis, and the preparation of research materials that support collaborative international projects.

The student will also gain exposure to a global research network studying innovation and development across multiple regions, offering valuable insights into interdisciplinary research and international policy discussions.

This opportunity offers valuable experience for students interested in careers in law, public policy, international development, research, or technology governance.

The selected student will also receive mentorship from faculty members and researchers within the Open AIR network. This mentorship will provide exposure to interdisciplinary research, international collaboration, and policy-oriented scholarship. Through this experience, students will develop valuable skills in research methods, policy analysis, and academic communication while gaining insight into how research informs innovation policy and global development.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, the student must:

  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or a protected person under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act at the time of application;
  • be enrolled in a non-professional bachelor’s program at an eligible university at the time of application;
  • have a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 7.5. Note that because this is a competitive program, priority will be given to students who show academic excellence, as demonstrated by their CGPA;
  • not hold a graduate degree, nor have ever enrolled in a graduate program, in the field of study of the award (natural sciences, engineering, health, social sciences or humanities);
  • meets all the eligibility criteria as outlined in the USRA program;
  • has selected the agency whose mandate aligns most closely with their research and for which uOttawa has grants: Selecting the Appropriate Federal Granting Agency; please note that only self-identified Black student researchers are eligible for CIHR and SSHRC USRAs;
  • has completed the self-identification statement and provided consent, if applicable (for Indigenous and Black Student Researchers);
  • candidates who have fulfilled their degree requirements by the application deadline are not eligible to apply;
  • not have previously received more than two USRA.

Note that if the student already holds a bachelor’s degree and is studying toward a second bachelor’s degree, they may still apply for this program.

To receive an award, the student must:
as a minimum, have completed all the course requirements of the first year of their bachelor’s program.

NOTE: The University of Ottawa will give priority to students in their third or fourth year of study at the time of application.

  • be registered in a bachelor’s degree program in the term immediately before receiving the award;
  • not be enrolled in a graduate program in the natural sciences, engineering, health, social sciences or humanities;
  • not take more than 2 courses during the term of the award if their supervisor allows it;
  • not conduct thesis research during the term of the award.

Award Value

The scholarship amount is $8,750 for 14 to 16 weeks, paid bi-weekly.

Important Program Details

  • The project will begin on May 1 and no later than June 1 and must be full-time for 14 to 16 weeks.
  • The student must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

More Information

Please visit the following website for more information on eligibility criteria and the application process:
https://www.uottawa.ca/research-innovation/international-research-experiential-learning/undergraduate-student-research-awards-program-nsrec

How to Apply

If you are interested, please contact Open AIR at: openair@uottawa.ca

Please include the following documents when you contact us:

  • Student résumé

The resume must include sections on education, awards and research experience. Maximum two pages in length. Please note that students do not need to have research experience to receive the award.

  • Statement of interest (maximum 250 words)

The student must explain why they want to participate in the proposed research project and how this is linked to their professional goals. The candidate must indicate their year of studies.