Summer Research Program

The WISEST Summer Research Program would not be possible without the support and dedication of our fabulous volunteers. There are many ways to get involved and inspire a young mind!

Supervisors

Who: Principal investigators, graduate and PhD students, lab assistants

When: July 2 - August 13, 2026

What: Each year WISEST invites research labs on campus to supervise a WISEST student researcher for 6 weeks. This is an opportunity for you to share your passion for research and your scientific know-how with young women and gender-diverse students in grade 11, who want to explore diverse fields of study in science, engineering and technology. Students are paid research assistants who are supervised by a principal investigator or by a member of a research team while contributing to a research project in the lab or in the field.

Deadline to apply: Proposals will open on March 2, 2026, and will close on April 14, 2026.

Apply Now

Virtual Information Session

STEM Faculty, graduate students, and lab staff, are you interested in learning more about the WISEST Summer Research Program and what hosting a student might entail? WISEST is hosting a virtual information session for new labs/supervisors on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 2:00-3:00 PM.
If you wish to attend, please register below by Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM. A minimum number of attendees will be required in order for this session to run. 

COMMON QUESTIONS

WISEST students are permitted to conduct field work provided that Supervisors communicate field activity through our Field Activity Communication Plan procedures and ensure that all students are accompanied by a Supervisor of the same gender whenever off-campus.

All student researchers will have completed WHMIS and Biosafety training prior to beginning their work term. Even if this training is not applicable to your research we require all students to complete this because they will be touring other facilities and labs. All site-specific safety training is the responsibility of the research team and WISEST will work with you and EH&S to ensure that all safety requirements are met. WISEST also has a detailed emergency response procedure that it shares with all Supervisors.

The WISEST Summer Research Program runs for 6 weeks in July and August. WISEST asks all of our students to be 100% committed during this time and we ask that research teams ensure that they are also 100% committed to their WISEST student researcher. This means ensuring that someone is always available to supervise and mentor your student throughout his or her work term.

Each year WISEST invites research labs on campus to supervise a WISEST student researcher for 6 weeks. This is an opportunity for you to share your passion for research and your scientific know-how with young women and gender-diverse students in grade 11 who want to explore diverse fields of study in science, engineering and technology. Students are paid research assistants who are supervised by a principal investigator or by a member of a research team while contributing to a research project in the lab or in the field.

PIs and Supervisors are asked to consider how their project would translate into a virtual project. If you have questions, please contact wisest.events@ualberta.ca.

Deadline to apply: Proposals will open on March 2, 2026, and will close on April 14, 2026.

Role Models and Mentorship

Who: Women, gender-diverse folks, and strong allies working in STEM fields or pursuing graduate or PhD studies in STEM

What: Share your career and life experiences as a woman, ally, or gender-diverse person in your field of science, engineering or technology and help students to discover the range of diverse careers possible in these fields by volunteering to be a Role Model. The students often tell us that these events are one of their favourite experiences because they engage in discussions with Role Models about how these professionals have approached their careers and lives.

Networking Fair

What: Role Models engage with Summer Research Program participants in our annual Networking Fair to share their educational and career experiences. This is an opportunity for students to learn about diverse careers in STEM and to meet with professionals who work in these fields. This event consists of a panel discussion followed by an informal networking mixer.

When: Friday, July 31, 2026 from 2:30 - 4:30 PM 

Where: CCIS (Exact location TBD)

Sign Up Here!

Virtual Role Model Panels

What: These one-hour sessions will involve you and a few other role models as panellists, answering questions from a small group of students. They are an opportunity to participate in discussions specifically for members of underrepresented communities.

When:

  • Racialized in STEM Role Model Panel: Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 6:00-7:00 PM
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ in STEM Role Model Panel: Thursday, July 30, 2026 from 6:00-7:00 PM

Sign Up Here!

Lab/Industry Tours

On-Campus Lab Tours

Who: Principal investigators, graduate students, lab assistants, and researchers on campus

What: If you are currently conducting some cool and cutting-edge research in your lab, then WISEST would love for you to share it with our student researchers! Each year, we offer students the opportunity to tour different research labs and facilities on campus. This exposes students to a diverse range of research and opens their eyes to the numerous potential educational and career pathways that are available to them. 

When: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 or Wednesday, July 29, 2026 from 12:30-1:30 PM

Sign up Here!

Off-Campus Industry Tours

Who: Any industry partner in the community

What: If you would like to invite students to tour your facility and see what STEM careers look like in action, we would love for you to contact us. Each year, we offer students the opportunity to tour different research labs and facilities off-campus. This exposes students to a diverse range of research and opens their eyes to the numerous potential educational and career pathways that are available to them. If interested, please email wisest.events@ualberta.ca.

When: Monday, August 10, 2026 or Tuesday, August 11, 2026 between 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

Alumni Connections 

Who: Summer Research Program Alumni 

What: Are you a former SRP student who wants to help aspiring young scientists and engineers? Would you have liked to have had a connection with someone who had completed the program when you were in the SRP? Do you want to be involved in planning and facilitating social events? We are looking for a group of volunteers to be mentors to the 2026 cohort and assist with events. Details of each role can be found in the form.

When: throughout the program (July 2 - August 13, 2026)

Sign up Here!