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.

Student Applications

How to Apply for 2021 Summer Internship

  1. Review Applicant Eligibility, Program Structure and Key Dates sections below.
  2. Review internship projects, organized by field of study below. Choose 2 you want to take part in – you will be asked to include these on your application.
    a) Environmental Science Projects
    b) Environmental Engineering Projects
    c) Environmental Law, Policy, Economics & Arts Projects
  3. Fill out and submit the application form here: https://forms.gle/2Y9tspjysFgKezFUA

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. Complete the application form (available here from December 23, 2020).
  4. Be willing and available to work as Summer Environmental Research Intern between May 2021 and August 2021 (shorter work periods are possible upon negotiation with specific projects).
  5. Provide proof of enrolment in an undergraduate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution – only applicable to those who are shortlisted for an interview.

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 (8-16 weeks in duration), supervised by a University of Alberta faculty member and experienced researcher. Full funding for intern salaries (~$3000/month gross) is provided by I-STEAM. 
  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 23, 2020: Students applications portal will open. Selected projects will be advertised online for student applications.
  • January 22, 2021 (11.59 pm): Student applications portal will close.
  • February 15, 2021 – Interviews: Applicants who advance from initial screening to the interview stage will be contacted for an interview. 
  • February 28, 2021: 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.
  • March 1, 2021 -Final Selection: Applicants who are successfully interviewed and matched to a project and supervisor will be informed from this date. 
  • May-August, 2021 – 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