HYRS Program Hosts

We have now opened HYRS host registration for the Summer 2026 program. Subject to funding approval from Alberta Innovates, this year’s program will take place July 2–August 13, 2026.

We are seeking U of A researchers from a variety of health & medical science areas, including Alberta Innovates priority areas, to host one or more Grade 11 students on a research project for 6 weeks this summer.

The HYRS program will pay the full salary for the student(s) (~$15/hour for 35 hours/week) and will provide a half day of career exploration and professional development programming for the cohort each week.

What kinds of projects/activities are suitable for HYRS students?

HYRS is a health research & innovation program, not strictly a “laboratory sciences” program. While wet lab projects are absolutely welcome, HYRS projects can encompass a broad range of research activities, including but not limited to: 

  • Literature reviews 
  • Formatting, cleanup and analysis of previously-collected data 
  • Coding 
  • Survey design and collection of survey data 
  • Development of educational materials or other knowledge translation activities (see examples from a previous HYRS student)
  • Clinical observations/shadowing 
  • Community-based or participatory research activities (e.g. focus groups, photo-voice projects, etc.) 
  • Performing or assisting with laboratory experiments

Projects should be an appropriate scope and level for a high school student to complete in 6 weeks with direct supervision. 

If you have an idea for a HYRS project but are unsure if it would be a suitable fit, please reach out to the HYRS team for guidance.

HYRS Host/Supervisor Requirements

To host a HYRS student, the host researchers must:

  • Provide direct, continuous adult supervision for the HYRS student(s) for the duration of the program. Supervision can be provided by faculty, graduate students, technical staff, or postdoctoral scholars. Typical hours of work for the students are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. HYRS students are minors and are NOT permitted to work unsupervised.
  • Submit a brief description of the proposed research project(s) that the HYRS student(s) will work on during their six weeks on campus. Students must be able to present a poster about their project at the end of the program. As a condition of our funding from Alberta Innovates, 80% of HYRS projects are expected to align with one or more Alberta Innovates Priority Areas. While projects in any health/medical-related area will be considered, we strongly encourage submissions aligned with the Priority Areas.
  • Provide a hazard assessment for the proposed HYRS activities. This is a provincially-legislated occupational health and safety requirement. If you already have a hazard assessment that covers the proposed activities, you can upload it to the form. If you do not have an existing hazard assessment that covers the proposed HYRS activities, templates are provided to help you in completing one. Hosts are also responsible for ensuring that any facilities, equipment or supplies are safe for use by minors, and that minors receive appropriate activity-specific safety training, PPE, and supervision.

NOTE: While host applications are not subject to a competitive process, they will be reviewed to ensure alignment with HYRS program goals and placement suitability for high school participants. The HYRS program receives upwards of 175 student applications each year, and we want to ensure we can place as many students as funding will allow.

For 2026, we are aiming to provide placements for at least 20 students.

Support provided by the HYRS program:

  • HYRS students are paid directly by the HYRS program as casual employees (~$15/hour for 30-35 hours/week). 
  • The HYRS program will cover the cost of poster printing for the students to participate in the HYRS Celebration of Research (August 13, 2026). 
  • Hosts/supervisors will be invited to a host orientation (virtual) prior to the program (date TBD - typically late-May)
  • HYRS will facilitate a full day student orientation (July 2, 2026), including a campus tour, OneCard pickup, library orientation, and training on HYRS program expectations. Students will also complete an introductory online module on basic lab safety, chemical safety and biosafety prior to the program start. 
  • HYRS staff will facilitate professional development and career exploration activities for all HYRS students weekly on Friday afternoons (1 - 4 p.m.).
  • HYRS staff will provide a letter of recognition and/or serve as a verifier for any graduate student or postdoctoral scholar who requires validation of their HYRS host participation for their CV.

If you are interested in potentially hosting one or more HYRS students this summer, please visit the link below for more information and to complete the host registration form by April 15, 2026.

2026 HYRS Host Application

More information about the High School Youth Researcher Summer Program (HYRS) »