HYRS Mentors

We have completed matching our mentors with HYRS students for the 2024 program. Please check back in again in 2025 for the next cycle.

The Alberta Innovates High School Youth Researcher Summer (HYRS) Program offers motivated and exceptional Grade 11 students the chance to participate in biomedical and health research. HYRS is a six-week program that runs from early July to mid-August each summer. This opportunity allows student from across Alberta to work alongside UCalgary faculty members, make invaluable connections, and contribute to innovative research at one of the world's top research universities.

HYRS is not just a laboratory experience – it offers a balanced program focused on Grade 11 students. Cohort programming involves tours of the campus and other research facilities, guest lectures on health research and related careers, and other educational sessions from current university students. On the last day of the program, students will present on their research project at our annual Open House event. 

The award is meant to encourage students to consider pursuing formal training and a career in health research and innovation. The award provides a $3,000 stipend for participating students.

The Alberta Innovates project priority areas are: Digital or Data Driven Health Research, Commercialization, and Health System Transformation. Other health and biomedical related projects not within the priority areas are eligible to apply. Read more about the priority areas here.

UCalgary faculty members from various disciplines share their experiences as mentors in the HYRS program.

Mentors are an integral part of HYRS that inspire the next generation of scientists to further innovation and progression in health research. Mentors are asked to:   

Provide  a brief description of the proposed project the HYRS student will be working on using the mentor information form.
Identify a daily supervisor for the student:
- Daily supervisors can be senior graduate students, research associates, postdoctoral researchers, or other qualified members of the lab team who are able to lead the student through their daily tasks on the project and answer any questions they may have.   
- Commit to roughly 1 hour/week of direct mentorship with the HYRS student.   
Adhere to the Young Persons Accessing Labs (YPAL) program and vaccination requirements.    
- Information on the YPAL Standard, Departmental Approval and Consent, and HACF can be found under Operational Requirements on the  Environment, Health and Safety  webpage.  Additionally,  the Emergency  Management  webpage has information on vaccination requirements.

We have completed matching our mentors with HYRS students for the 2024 program. Please check back in again in 2025 for the next cycle.