Sprott Undergraduate Summer Research Experience

We are currently offering up to 3 undergraduate summer research positions, subject to budgetary approval.  This 13-week opportunity offers Sprott students the chance to collaborate with faculty members on engaging research projects during the summer.

Eligibility

This opportunity is available to any undergraduate student who is majoring in Business at Sprott and in good standing. Eligible applicants must have completed their first year of coursework at the time of application. Students who intend to graduate during the research time (i.e., at spring convocation) are eligible to apply but must commit to submitting a written blog about their experience by mid-August 2026. Preference will be given to full-time students, but part-time students are eligible to apply. Students can apply to work with any research faculty at the Sprott School of Business where there is an overlap in mutually beneficial research goals.

Compensation

Students will receive $9,400 plus 4% vacation for 13 weeks of work (normally 35 hours/week), paid bi-weekly as per the University pay schedule. It is important to be aware that standard employment deductions will be subtracted from each pay period.

Purpose and Participant Requirements

Students are responsible for finding a Sprott faculty member with whom to work. The student’s role is to provide general assistance to the supervisor while working on a specific research project (can be an existing project or a new project determined by the faculty supervisor).

We anticipate that the Sprott 2026 research positions are to be in person or hybrid this summer. Therefore, expected duties, research methodologies and timelines must reflect this research environment. 

Standards of work should be set, outlining the responsibilities of the supervisor and the student. It will be expected that students share their internship experience with other students through social media, Sprott websites and other internal and/or external research communications as deemed appropriate.

The students’ work term will last a maximum of 13 weeks full-time over the summer (students will not extend into the next fall term). Any requirements for training, safety, research ethics, etc. will be the responsibility of the supervisor.  

It is expected that students will create to submit a blog post to the Sprott Research Office about their summer experience.  Please see below for examples of previous student blogs.

Application Information

There is no form or template for the application but applications must be submitted as a single PDF and include the following:

• A one-page cover letter that elaborates on the curriculum vitae of the applicant and any experience of training related to the proposed research
• The name of the faculty supervisor
  • Note: The student should check if their preferred supervisor is eligible and willing to supervise BEFORE they apply.
• A maximum three-page statement about the proposed research including:
  • background/context – brief literature review and context of the research problem
  • project objectives – clearly stated and achievable within the 13-week period (note: if the research is part of a larger research project, please state how the objectives of the internship project relate to the larger objectives)
  • discussion of any methodologies to be used
  • proposed timeline
  • summary of the expected duties of the position and the research skills that will be acquired
  • summary of the expected outcomes of the research beyond the required blog post
  • statement of whether ethics approval is required for the research and the plan to obtain that approval
  • Format: Single spaced, Times New Roman 12 pt font, 0.75” margins
  • Note: Any pages exceeding the 3-page limit will not be considered in the evaluation process.
• A maximum of two pages for references cited in the project statement
• A current CV for the student applicant
• Current Carleton University transcript for the student applicant
  • Note: Digital copies of unofficial transcripts may be ordered, free of charge, through Carleton Central.
• A statement of support from a supervising faculty member outlining the following:
  • A brief statement about the benefit of the internship to your existing or new research project.