Project Submission + Applications

Information For Supervisors

Applications and project submissions for the 2026 I-STEAM Pathways Program are now closed. Stay tuned for information on the 2027 program.

Key Program Objectives

  1. Provide fully-funded opportunities for Indigenous undergraduate students to fully participate in mentored experiential environmental research and provide pathways to advanced degrees
  2. Provide mentors for Indigenous students as they undertake this journey
  3. Increase the capacity of Indigenous communities to respond to the significant environmental challenges of this time; and
  4. Foster the inclusion of Indigenous environmental knowledge, ethics and values in environmental research.

Project Supervisors Responsibilities

    1. Oversee a research project aligned with environmental education goals (e.g. environmental sciences, climate change, engineering, environmental law, policy, sociology, psychology, health, including planetary health, and relevant to Indigenous communities
    2. Supervise students in a practical field/research experience (35 hours/week for 16 weeks between May-August)
    3. Mentor the intern(s) in their development of research knowledge and skills, as well as in their exploration of career pathways in environmental policy, practice and research;
    4. Where possible, contribute $1,000 a month towards the intern’s salary of $3,000 a month plus benefits
    5. Attend a seminar on mentoring Indigenous students and principles and practice of Indigenous research, and
    6. Participate in monthly check-ins.
In case of pandemic circumstances, we ask that contingency plans be included which will as far as possible provide a quality research research experience for interns.

Key Dates and Timeline for the 2026 program

  • October 2025: The Project submission portal for the Summer 2025 internship program will open 29 October and close on November 30, 2025. Project leads and supervisors are encouraged to make project submissions as early as possible from this date.
  • December 2025: Supervisors will be notified if their project has been selected after proposals have been reviewed by the I-STEAM leadership team.
  • December 2025 Students applications portal will open. Selected projects will be advertised online for student applications.
  • January 2026: Student applications portal will close.
  • February 2026: Applicants who advance from initial screening to the interview stage will be contacted for an interview.
  • February 2026: 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.
  • 28 February 2026: Final Selection: Applicants who are successfully interviewed and matched to a project and supervisor will be informed from this date.
  • May-August 2026 Internship Placements: Project placements are generally 16 weeks in length and will take place within this timeframe.

Internship Applications

Applications for the 2026 program are now closed. Please stay tuned for information for the 2027 program.

To apply for the summer 2026 program, you need to:

  1. Check your eligibility below and provide proof of Indigeneity, i.e. a current Status or Membership card
  2. Review the available 2026 Research Projects and select your preferred three (Note: you may not be allocated any of your preferred choices)
  3. Complete and submit the application form.

Applicant Eligibility

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

  1. Be a registered First Nations, Métis or Inuit undergraduate student attending a post-secondary institution in Canada and provide Proof of Indigeneity, as above. (Preference will generally be given to First Nations, Métis or Inuit resident in Alberta).
  2. Be enrolled in an undergraduate program. Students must have completed at least 1st year of post-secondary. (Proof of enrolment in an undergraduate program at a Canadian post-secondary institution will be required from those who are shortlisted for an interview.)
  3. Be willing and available to work as Summer Environmental Research Intern between May and August 2026 (shorter work periods may be possible upon negotiation with specific projects).
  4. Complete the application form through the link provided.

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 15, 2025: Student applications open.
  • January 23, 2026: Student applications portal will close.
  • February – Interviews: Applicants who advance from initial screening to the interview stage will be contacted for an interview, provided that they have submitted proof of Indigeneity, as above.
  • February 28, 2026: 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.
  • First week of March, 2026: Final Selection: Applicants who are successfully interviewed and matched to a project and supervisor will be informed from this date.
  • May-August, 2026: Internship Placements: Project placements may vary in length but are normally 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