Project Submission

Project submissions for Summer 2027 are open as of October 2, 2026. Please see the full project submission timeline below for important dates and deadlines.

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 2027 program

  • October 2, 2026: Project Submissions Open for Summer, 2027. Project leads and supervisors are encouraged to submit proposals as early as possible.
  • November 20, 2026: Project Submission Deadline. The submission portal closes. All project proposals must be submitted by this date.
  • November 30, 2026: Project Selection Notification. Supervisors will be notified by I-STEAM leadership team if their project has been selected for student recruitment.
  • Note for Supervisors and leads: Dec 2, 2026 - Student applications open. Approved projects will be posted online for student review and application.
  • Late January – Late February, 2027: Candidate Screening & Interviews. Initial screening, student interviews and project-matching occur. Selected supervisors will be invited to participate in student interviews and the matching process.
  • February 26, 2027: Final Selection & Matching Confirmed. Supervisors will receive final confirmation regarding their matched student candidates.
  • May – August 2027: Internship Placements. 16-week student research placements take place.
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