High School Youth Researcher Summer Program (HYRS)

The Alberta Innovates High School Youth Researcher Summer Program (HYRS) offers paid, six week summer research experiences for Grade 11 students in areas relating to health research and innovation, including priority areas in applied health research, health systems, digital health and data-driven systems, and One Health.

The objectives of the HYRS program are to:

1. Increase awareness and interest in research & innovation (R&I) careers - particularly at the intersection of health and emerging technologies
2. Create opportunities for emerging talent to acquire experience and connections in Alberta’s health R&I ecosystem. 
3. Increase the competitiveness of Alberta as a destination for R&I talent. 
4. Leverage partner relationships to advance priority area activity in Alberta. 

In addition to gaining first-hand research experience, HYRS students also participate in a range of skill development and career exploration activities. This program is ideal for students who have an interest in science and health, and are looking to explore careers in health research and innovation.

Please note: HYRS is a health research and innovation program, not strictly a “laboratory sciences” program. While many biomedical research projects do involve lab work, health research and innovation is a very diverse field, encompassing a broad range of activities and methods. Although some HYRS placements will involve lab work, the majority are NOT primarily lab-based. Most HYRS placements focus on applying new technologies to advance healthcare, health system sustainability, and translation of research knowledge to healthcare practitioners and patients. Many HYRS placements will involve office and computer-based activities, and may also include clinic- or community-based activities.

Alberta Innovates Priority Areas

NOTE: Priority Areas have been revised for the 2026 application cycle.  

As a condition of our funding from Alberta Innovates, 80% of HYRS placements are expected to align with one or more of the following priority areas:

Other Health Research & Innovation Projets

Up to 20% of placements may be allocated toward other health research and innovation projects that do not align with the priority areas listed above.

HYRS 2026 Program Information

Students accepted to the HYRS program will be paid for 30-35 hours/week for 6 weeks (minimum $15/hour). Additional costs, including health benefits, travel and living accommodations, are the responsibility of the student.

A limited number of partially-subsidized residence spaces will be available for students who reside outside of the greater Edmonton area.

Application Information for Students

Deadline

The application deadline for the Summer 2026 HYRS program is Friday, March 13, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

The student application and both references must be submitted by this deadline in order for your application to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Who can apply

To be eligible to apply for the HYRS program at the University of Alberta, students must:

• Be currently enrolled in Grade 11, and must have completed, or be currently enrolled in (at minimum) Mathematics 20-1 or 20-2, Biology 20, and one other Grade 11 science course.  Grade 10 students are NOT eligible to apply.
• Reside in or north of Red Deer. Applicants residing south of Red Deer should apply to the HYRS program at the University of Calgary  or University of Lethbridge, as appropriate. Out-of-province applicants are NOT eligible. 
• Be legally eligible to work in Canada.
• Demonstrate an interest in health/medical research, and an open-mind toward exploring careers in health research and innovation.

HYRS encourages applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to, First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples; members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin; persons with disabilities; persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. We recognize that many of these identities intersect and that therefore, equity, diversity and inclusion can be complex. We value the contributions that each person brings, and are committed to ensuring full and equitable participation for all in our community.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the Google Form below. Email applications will not be accepted.

Note: Users must have a Gmail account (can be a school/institutional email if your school uses Gmail, or a personal/free Gmail account) to access the Google Form.

Academic Requirements

Students must normally have a combined average of 85% (or equivalent) in Mathematics 20-1 or 20-2, Biology 20, and one other Grade 11 science course. If you have completed 30-level math or science courses, we will calculate your average based on the highest 3 available grades for 20- or 30-level math, biology, and one other science course. IB grades of 5 or higher will be considered to have met the threshold for eligibility.

Students who do not meet the 85% threshold may be considered for the HYRS program if there is a strong justification on the basis of equity or program accessibility (e.g. limitations on 20-level science course offerings, or other extenuating circumstances).

Personal Response

The HYRS student application asks for students to submit a personal essay in response to the following prompts. The essay can be written (max 3500 characters, including spaces, which is approximately 500 words), video (.mp4) or audio/podcast (.mp3) no longer than 3 minutes in length.

In your personal response, please address all THREE questions/prompts given below. We encourage students to address the prompts with specific examples drawn from lived experiences and/or your educational experiences. Outside research/sources (e.g. a bibliography) is NOT required.

• Many students apply to the HYRS program because they have an interest in becoming a physician; however, the HYRS program focuses on health research and innovation. What piques your curiosity about science or health research? In what ways, and to what extent, have you explored this curiosity?
• What is your motivation for applying to the HYRS program, and why did you choose to pursue HYRS over any other potential activities/opportunities this summer?
• Research aims to address questions or problems whose answers are unknown. It often involves repetition, uncertainty, and failure. How do you deal with adversity and stay motivated when you are feeling uncertain, bored, or "stuck"?

Selection Criteria for the HYRS program

The HYRS program receives approximately 175 applications each year, and can normally place 20 students each summer, depending on funding and host availability. As the HYRS program receives many more applications than we can provide placements for each year, it is not possible to place every student, even if applicants are highly qualified.

HYRS applications are reviewed by a mixed committee of U of A researchers and high school science teachers based on the following criteria:

• Interest in health/medical sciences
• Motivation for applying to the HYRS program
• Readiness for research (e.g. maturity, growth mindset, genuine curiosity/desire to learn, etc.)
• Personal attributes (e.g. professionalism, creativity, effective communication, problem-solving, time management skills, preparation to cope with the responsibility and challenge of the HYRS program, including the potential for failure/adversity in the research process)

Beyond the 85% threshold for eligibility (see “academic requirements” above), grades are not considered in the adjudication process.

No more than 2 students from the same high school will be accepted to the HYRS program each year, regardless of the strength of their applications.

Students who are not accepted to the HYRS program are encouraged to explore other potential opportunities for high school students.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the HYRS program or the application process, please contact us at hyrs@ualberta.ca.