Published on February 14, 2025
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee announces a new program to fund a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis student for a research internship in ecotoxicology.
A $6,000 scholarship is available for a First Nations, Inuit, or Métis student at the high school, college, or university level to complete a research internship of at least 8 weeks in an ecotoxicology laboratory between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
Here is an example of a possible project you could pursue with this funding:
Project with Marc Amyot, Université de Montréal.
Following the decline of the yellow perch population in Lake Saint-Pierre, measures have been implemented to help restore it. But even today, the restoration of the population is hampered by, among other things, agricultural pollution. Runoff from agricultural lands carries sediments, nutrients, and pesticides that degrade the quality of aquatic vegetation, critical habitat for yellow perch.
Participate in site sampling, laboratory analysis, interpretation and communication of results.
Quantify the effectiveness of different conservation practices to reduce the movement of sediments, nutrients and pesticides from farmland, particularly with sweetgrass.
This project aims to highlight the environmental benefits of conservation practices and encourage their widespread adoption in the Lac Saint-Pierre watershed.
Axis: Presence and pathways of contaminants in the environment
Project with Valérie Langlois, INRS
Biodiversity is essential for ecosystems and for the local communities that depend on them for food and cultural practices.
Using non-invasive tools to conduct biodiversity inventories near polluting projects such as mining operations.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) can detect the presence of key species such as Arctic char, Atlantic salmon, black bear, caribou and many others.
eDNA is a powerful tool for monitoring biodiversity and providing essential data to understand and manage the impacts of rapid changes in sensitive ecosystems.
Axis: Impact of contaminants on the health of aquatic and terrestrial populations
This scholarship offers you the opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team of researchers, students, and professionals specializing in ecotoxicology. A unique chance to contribute to research on issues that matter to you. Only one scholarship is available.
Eligibility Criteria
- Be a First Nations, Inuit or Métis student enrolled full-time in a program of study (Secondary 5, professional training, adult education, CEGEP, university) leading to a recognized diploma.
- Not currently holding a scholarship from another FRQ strategic cluster for the same internship or period.
- Aptitude in sciences, with interest and motivation for research in ecotoxicology.
- Training potential of the chosen internship and its contribution to Indigenous realities.
- The research topic must fall within one of EcotoQ’s research areas and be carried out under the supervision of a regular EcotoQ member.
The scholarship will be awarded to the first student who meets the criteria and is accepted by a regular member for a project in ecotoxicology.
If you are interested in one of these projects, write to ecotoq@inrs.ca and we will help you get started.