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 health and medical sciences, including priority areas in digital or data driven health research, commercialization, and health system transformation.

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 Digital Health Innovation 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.

Alberta Innovates Priority Areas

Alberta Innovates routinely adjusts the HYRS program guidelines to increase emphasis on capacity development in areas of strategic relevance to the province. As a condition of our funding from Alberta Innovates, 50% of HYRS placements will align with one or more of these priority areas: Digital or Data Driven Health Research, Commercialization, and Health System Transformation. Please see the definitions below.

Digital or Data Driven Health Research

Projects that recruit, train, or deploy talent to advance digital or data-enabled methods, tools, or technologies in health research. Areas of interest include: computer modeling or simulation for drug discovery or technology development; overcoming data access, collection, or data infrastructure challenges; approaches to preparing health data for machine learning applications; overcoming participant/patient recruitment, engagement, or retention challenges; predicting therapeutic outcomes or adverse effects; overcoming challenges with acceptance of digital health solutions; novel approaches to decentralized clinical trials design.

Commercialization

Projects that recruit, train, or deploy talent to develop and commercialize an emerging health technology, preferably digital or data-enabled, with the potential to generate commercial economic returns (jobs, revenue, investment) for Alberta and cost-effective, beneficial health outcomes.

Health System Transformation

Projects that recruit, train, or deploy talent to enable the advancement of data and digitally enabled care models, including facilitating adoption, implementation, and/or scale across the continuum of care in Alberta. Key areas of interests include but are not limited to implementation studies in health care settings; policy development; approaches to citizen-centric care.

HYRS Program Information

Students accepted to the HYRS program will be paid for 30-35 hours/week for 6 weeks (approx. $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

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.
• 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 sciences, 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.

Selection Criteria for the HYRS program

The HYRS program receives approximately 175 applications each year, and can normally place 25-30 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.

As a condition of our funding from Alberta Innovates, no more than 2 students from the same high school can 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.