Polytechnique Montreal Research Internship Program

ecole polytechnique

Location: Montreal, Canada
Type of Internship: Research
Paid or Unpaid: Unpaid 
Level: Undergraduate, Graduate
Faculties: Engineering, Computing Science

Program Overview

Polytechnique Montréal at Université de Montréal is one of Canada’s leading applied research engineering schools. Highly ranked for the number of Canada Research Chairs in Engineering and the scope of its research activities, Polytechnique obtains the highest research funding among engineering schools in the country. Founded in 1873, Polytechnique Montréal has the largest engineering student body in Quebec. Thirty percent of undergraduates are women. The world needs creative and innovative engineers more than ever. Polytechnique is producing them, in Montreal – ranked among the top student cities in the world for the last 5 years!

Every year, Polytechnique’s research units welcome over 250 students from other universities wishing to put into practice the technical and scientific knowledge acquired in their studies. The research conducted, supervised by a Polytechnique professor, emanates from a real societal or industrial need, and is carried out in the lab or in situ.

TWO Unique Programs:

1. RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (all engineering disciplines and computing science)

Summer 2025 Details:

  • 4 month long research placement
  • 69 research projects in all areas of engineering including Aerospace, Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Geological, Industrial, Mechanical, Physics, and Software
  • The top 25 students who apply for this program will be awarded $6000 CAD
  • Students MUST be nominated by the University of Alberta prior to applying externally
  •  

2. NEW: UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER INTERNSHIP AWARD PROGRAM (ONLY computing science and computer engineering)

Summer 2025 Details:

  • All of the available internships for the 2025 edition of the program feature innovative, multidisciplinary research projects in the field of CYBERSECURITY.
  • 12 - 16 week internships, depending on the project chosen
  • All successful applicants will receive:
    • A research stipend of $10,186 (for 16-week internships) or $7,640 (for 12-week internships)
    • A stipend for living expenses of $3,000 (for 16-week internships) or $2,250 (for 12-week internships)
    • An admission scholarship of $3,000 for interns who decide to eventually return to Polytechnique Montréal to undertake a Master’s program

When Can I Go?

Terms Offered: Fall, Winter, Summer
Duration: 12-16 weeks, depending on the program

Eligibility Requirements

Language:

  • Be fluent in English or in French (no language test required)
  • If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada: Have a valid study permit (and a valid cooperative work permit if you are registered in a co-op program).

Other Requirements RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (all engineering disciplines):

  • Be officially nominated by your home university before applying to this program. To be considered for nomination for Summer 2025 please submit your application on HORIZONS by January 6, 2024.
  • Completed at least two years of an engineering undergraduate program or at least one year of a graduate program (Master or Ph.D.) 
  • Enrolled in a full-time program and will continue to be enrolled after your internship
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4

Other Requirements UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER INTERNSHIP AWARD PROGRAM (computing science and computer engineering):

  • Demonstrate a keen interest in cybersecurity and engineering research
  • Be enrolled as a full-time student at a Canadian university in a bachelor's degree program in STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics)
  • Have completed more than 50% of your current university program at the time of starting the internship
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 out of 4.0

See: Eligibility

Application Deadlines + Instructions

Deadlines:

1. RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (all engineering disciplines)

  • January 6, 2025 for Spring/Summer 2025 
  • TBD for Fall/Winter 2025/26

2. UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER INTERNSHIP AWARD PROGRAM (computing science and computer engineering)

  • January 31, 2025 for Spring/Summer 2025

Instructions:

1. RESEARCH INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (all engineering disciplines and computing science)

Step 1 - Choose 2 research projects from the list or 1 research project from the list and 1-2 supervisor(s) from the PROJECT LIST (bottom of the linked page).

Step 2 - Prepare your application documents: 

  • Letter(s) of Motivation The letter of motivation is a letter in English addressed to the project supervisor with the title of the project, in which the candidate specifies his/her interest and skills in respect to the project. If the candidate chooses two (2) research projects, they must provide a letter of motivation for each project.  Maximum one page each.
  • CV / Resume
  • Internship/Co-op report - If available, a copy of an internship/co-op report performed in the past.
  • Official Transcript

Step 3 - Submit your application on HORIZONS by January 6, 2025

Step 4 - See if you qualify for any faculty funding and apply for funding through NSERC

Step 5 - Students selected for nomination will be notified by email by January 8, 2025

Step 6 - Follow the nomination instructions to complete steps by January 15, 2025 at 23:59 EST

Step 7 - Results announced early February

Instructions:

2. NEW: UNDERGRADUATE SUMMER INTERNSHIP AWARD PROGRAM (ONLY computer science and computer engineering)

What you need to prepare:

  • The completed candidate identification and internship selection form (you can choose up to 3 internships, in order of preference)
  • A cover letter describing 1) your interest in the field of cybersecurity and applied scientific research, 2) your academic and professional goals, including your openness to the possibility of pursuing a Master's degree or PhD in STEM, 3) previous internship experience, if applicable, 4) your reasons for choosing each of the internships you have selected, 5) how you believe an internship at Polytechnique Montréal will benefit you on a personal, academic and professional level
  • A scanned copy of all your university transcripts (must show your course grades and grade point average)
  • Your resume/curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Optional: a letter of recommendation from a professor or any other person who can attest to the quality of your application
  • If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada: a scanned copy of your study permit (and of your co-op work permit if you are enrolled in a co-op study program).

All of the above supporting documents must be combined into a single PDF, named as follows: Last name_First name_Application_2025.pdf

Please send your application by email to stages.internships@polymtl.ca with the following subject line: Last name_First name_Application_2025

Results to be announced by email at the end of February.

Fees + Costs

$250 nomination fee

Students are encouraged to apply for funding even if they do not have a confirmed internship to avoid missing important deadlines.  

General fees and costs

Note: Funding information for each program is indicated in the Program Overview above

Program Information + Contact

For all questions, email goabroad@ualberta.ca or connect with the International Outbound Internships Coordinator through in-person or virtual advising. 

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Deadlines

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Funding Opportunities 

Students receive on average between $1,400-$2,000 in funding.

Over 80% of students who apply get funding.

Education Abroad Awards