Training
Submitting your application for IRIC Next Generation Competition
Description
Opening of the IRIC Next Generation Competition: Tuesday October 7, 2025
Deadline to apply: Tuesday, December 2th, 2025, 10:00 AM
IRIC Next Generation Competition is seeking Bachelor’s degree students interested in life sciences research. This program offers students the opportunity to receive funding to complete a research internship at IRIC.
Research projects offered in 2026
Internship length
12 to 16 weeks (35 hours/week)
Internship start and end dates are left to the discretion of the awardees and their supervisor.
Value of the funding
$5,568 – 12-week internship
$7,424 – 16-week internship
Research projects
Several fascinating and innovative research projects with various life sciences-related themes are offered:
- Cell Signalling and Protein Dynamics
- Cell Division and Migration
- Immunology and Hematopoiesis
- Genomics and Epigenetics
- Chemical and Structural Biology
- Targeted Therapies and Diagnostics
- Computational Analysis and Modelling
Eligibility requirements
- Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada or be an international student already present in Canada and hold a valid study permit in Canada for the entire duration of the internship and valid for working in the health service field
- Demonstrate a strong interest in research and in pursuing graduate studies in life sciences
- Have maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.3 (70%, B, or the equivalent) in an undergraduate program in STEM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
- Be enrolled full-time, in the 2nd or 3rd year of a bachelor’s program related to the selected research project by the application deadline for the competition (if it is a 3-year bachelor’s degree).
OR be enrolled full-time, in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of a bachelor’s program related to the selected research project by the application deadline for the competition (if it is a 4-year bachelor’s degree). - Candidates in the preparatory year (U0) or in the first year of their bachelor’s program are not eligible.
- Never have received an IRIC Next Generation Competition.
- Be able to provide proof of registration for their bachelor’s program for the winter 2026 and fall 2026 terms, or proof of registration for their bachelor’s program for the summer 2026 term, on the start date of the internship.
- For students who will graduate in Winter 2026, be able to provide proof of registration in their bachelor’s program for the Winter 2026 term and a letter of admission to a graduate program for Fall 2026 on the start date of the internship
- According to the internal rules of the University of Montreal, the lump sum could be awarded in the form of a prize or a scholarship.
Preparing your application
To be considered complete, your application package, in English or in French, must contain the following documents:
- Your updated profile and the application form on IRIC Academic Affairs portal;
- A letter of intent (max 2 pages, 1.5 line spacing) describing:
- Your academic background and previous research experience
- Your interest in life sceinces research and in pursuing graduate studies,
- Your academic and career goals
- How this summer internship will benefit you on a personal, academic and professional level
- The names of the Investigators offering the internship projects selected and the reasons behind this selection (maximum of five);
- All of your university transcripts showing your cumulative average (digitalized and/or unofficial copies accepted;
- Your résumé (CV);
- Optional document: a letter of recommendation from a professor or other who can attest to the quality of your academic achievement including, if applicable, any research experience you may have. This letter must be forwarded to us confidentially, by email, (bourses@iric.umontreal.ca), directly by its author.
Evaluation of applications
The application packages will be evaluated by a selection committee made up of members of the Office of Academic Affairs and IRIC Principal Investigators.
The evaluation will be based on the following criteria:
- Interest in research
- Desire to pursue graduate studies in a field related to life sciences research
- Quality of the letter of intent
- Quality of the academic record
Application packages accepted by the selection committee are sent to the Investigators who select the candidates retained for an interview (in person, by telephone or by videoconference). The results will be announced in February of 2026. All applicants, selected for this competition or not, will be contacted by email by the Office of Academic Affairs.
Transportation and accommodations
IRIC Next Generation Competition does not cover travel and accommodation expenses incurred by the winners during their internship at IRIC.
Le Service des Résidences de l’Université de Montréal (Université de Montréal Residence Services) does however offer students the opportunity to rent fully-renovated studio apartments at affordable prices.
Virtual Information Sessions (no registration needed)
Virtual Information Sessions (no registration needed)
Tuesday November 11, 2025, 12:00 pm (Eastern time) > Click here (in French)
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 12:00 p.m. (Eastern time) > Click here (In English)
Contact
For more information about the program, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs:
