Faculty Recruitment for the BYSI Program - Summer 2025

In the Spring of 2024, the University of Alberta launched the Black Youth for Social Innovation (BYSI) Program to address the gap in mentorship and internship opportunities for Black students in the Social Sciences and Humanities, including Arts, Business, Education, and Law. BYSI is now recruiting its second cohort for four-month paid research positions for Summer 2025. We invite faculty members to enhance our initiative by participating in one or both of the following streams:

1. Independent Student Researcher Stream

Overview: Mentor undergraduate students who are pursuing their independent research projects. Provide guidance and support to help them achieve their research goals.

Responsibilities: Offer mentorship, feedback, and oversight for student-led research projects, ensuring they have the resources and knowledge needed for success.

Funding: No faculty member funding is required. Students who are successful in applying for URI or Rogers S. Smith awards will be self-funded.

Eligibility: Open to all faculty members, with a special emphasis on Black faculty members who are interested in supporting student research and development.

  • URI Website: [Link]

2. Research Assistant Stream

Overview: Pay for and host full-time, paid Research Assistants. This stream enhances your research efforts by providing additional support through Research Assistants, who are funded by your research grants. You will benefit from their assistance in various research tasks while offering them valuable hands-on experience and professional development. 

Funding: Faculty members must contribute part or all of the funding necessary to hire a research assistant. This could include successfully securing a USRA grant with the student. Salary matching may be available.

Responsibilities: Supervise Research Assistants, delegate tasks such as data collection and analysis, and integrate them into your research activities.

Eligibility: Faculty members must be willing to hire and pay Research Assistants using their research grants. This stream is ideal for those with active research projects needing extra support or who wish to start new projects.

  • BYSI website: [Link]

Key Dates

  • Employer Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
  • Student-Employer Matching: April 2025

How to Apply: To participate, please kindly submit your details through our recruitment form