I-STEAM Pathways: Environmental Education Program for Indigenous Students

Enabling First Nations, Métis or Inuit undergraduate students to gain research experience in environmental fields including science, environmental engineering, environmental law and policy.

Internship Applications

To Apply:

  1. Check your eligibility below,
  2. Review the available research projects, beginning December 12, 2022, and select your preferred three (Note: you may not be allocated any of your preferred choices),
  3. Complete and submit the application form HERE.

Applicant Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for the I-STEAM Pathways program, you must:

  1. Be a self-identified First Nations, Métis or Inuit undergraduate student attending a post-secondary institution in Canada. (Preference will be given to First Nations, Métis or Inuit resident in Alberta).
  2. Be enrolled in an undergraduate program or pre-undergraduate program (e.g. post-secondary transfer program in an accredited College). Preference will be given to those who have completed at least 1st year of post-secondary in Alberta.
  3. Be willing and available to work as Summer Environmental Research Intern between May and August 2023 (shorter work periods may be possible upon negotiation with specific projects).
  4. Provide proof of enrolment in an undergraduate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution – only applicable to those who are shortlisted for an interview.
  5. Complete the application form through the link above (available from December 12, 2022).

Note: As part of our two-stage selection process, only applicants who are successful in the first stage will be contacted to participate in an interview before the final selection is made.

Program Structure

  1. A paid, full-time summer research internship (12-16 weeks in duration), supervised by a University of Alberta faculty member who is an experienced researcher. Full funding for intern salaries (~$3000/month gross) is provided. 
  2. A series of one-day seminars on environmental-related topics.
  3. An end-of-summer celebration of achievements in which students will present the research they engaged in during their internship and receive certificates. 

Key Dates and Timelines 

  • December 12, 2022: Student applications open
  • January 13, 2023: Student applications portal will close.
  • January-February – Interviews: Applicants who advance from initial screening to the interview stage will be contacted for an interview. 
  • February 2023: Interns’ recruitment will be completed, including initial screening, interviews, selection and matching of final student internship candidates to supervisors/projects. Supervisors will be invited to participate in the interview and process of matching students to projects.
  • February 17, 2023 – Final Selection: Applicants who are successfully interviewed and matched to a project and supervisor will be informed from this date. 
  • May-August, 2023 – Internship Placements: Project placements will vary in length from 8-16 weeks. All projects will take place within this timeframe.

If you have any questions regarding the application and selection process, please contact us at isteam@ualberta.ca