I-STEAM Pathways
I-STEAM Pathways: Environmental Research Internships for Indigenous Students
I-STEAM Pathways provides First Nations, Métis and Inuit undergraduate students with hands-on, environmentally related research experience across a range of fields, including:
- Science and Engineering
- Environmental Law, Policy and Planning
- Planetary Health
- And More
Through immersive learning opportunities and dedicated mentorship, the program aims to drive systemic change by incorporating Indigenous knowledge, ethics and values directly into environmental research.
Inspiring Futures in Environmental Research
Summer 2025
From an impressive pool of 49 applications, 19 Indigenous undergraduates were selected for the 2025 summer cohort. Each participant completed a four-month internship in research projects spanning the areas of climate change, water, wildfire and innovation.
Students came from 13 communities across Alberta, Manitoba, and the North, including Athabasca Chipewyan, Big River, Driftpile, K’atlodeeche, Saddle Lake, Berens River, Whitefish Lake, Beaver, and Samson Cree First Nations, as well as Cambridge Bay (Ikaluktutiak), Rankin Inlet (Nunavut), McMurray Métis, and Métis Nation of Alberta.
Guided by supportive mentors, they discovered their potential as researchers and built an amazing community.
Here are some moments from their journey!
Apply Here
Project Submissions
Professors and researchers from the University of Alberta and its partners provide fully funded, hands-on research opportunities specifically designed for all accepted I-STEAM Pathways internships.
Internship Applications
The program is open to all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit undergraduate students currently enrolled at any Canadian post-secondary institution who are eligible and eager to apply.
Partners, Sponsors, Giving
Our partnership with the National Research Council, Canada, provides exciting research opportunities alongside vital public and private sponsorship to financially support and scale our Indigenous intern program.
“It makes such a big difference to have people believe in you. Having support and respect, and being in spaces where you can be yourself, is so impactful.
Thank you to our partners
I-STEAM Pathways is an Indigenous youth program that builds critical capacity for Indigenous students and their communities and provides pathways to careers in environmental fields essential to Indigenous livelihoods, to supporting biodiversity and to promoting resilience. We are grateful for the generosity of the following public and private sponsors who help support and scale up the program.
Give to I-STEAM
Your donations are a testament to your commitment to supporting resilient Indigenous communities and the development of outstanding Indigenous leaders.
Partners
We are grateful for our partner, the National Research Council, Canada, in amplifying research and professional development opportunities for the intern, and the following public and private sponsors who support the interns and scale up the program.
The growth in the numbers of applications each year demonstrates the enormous need for such an opportunity. The I-STEAM Pathways team are profoundly grateful to the Mastercard Foundation for three years funding to enable a much needed expansion of the program.
I-STEAM Pathways is a registered charity, and all donations go toward student compensation during their internship. Please contact us at isteam@ualberta.ca to learn more about sponsoring the program and other ways you can get involved.
We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
Nous remercions le Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada (CRSNG) de son soutien.
