I-CURE

I‑CURE focuses on promoting self‑directed learning, professional development, and hands‑on experience to undergraduate students in all disciplines. 

Students also participate in a research bootcamp at the beginning of the term and share the outcomes of their I-CURE experiences at a research symposium at the end of the term. 

In addition to working on a research project throughout the semester, participants complete learning activities and deliverables as follows:

• Attendance to an online onboarding session with the Self-Directed course Professor at the beginning of term
• Completion of a minimum of 10 journal entries
• Attendance to an on-site half-day research bootcamp (additional information follows)
• Completion of a detailed project plan at the beginning of the term
• Completion of a mid-term report
• Attendance to a symposium to present outcomes of their I-CURE experiences at the end of term
• Completion of a final report

Upon completion of the I-CURE program, students with receive three academic credits for their work which spans over a total of 135 hours of combined research and development activities 

Key benefits

• Formal academic recognition through three academic credits. 
• A flexible structure that supports initiation to research in any field. 
• Professional skill building through structured workshops and mentorship. 
• A culminating research symposium that showcases student achievements to peers, supervising professors, and other University of Ottawa representatives.

Program Duration and Workload

Research projects will run for 14–15 weeks over the course of one semester and must constitute a total of 135 hours of combined research as well as learning and development activities. The latter tasks consist of:

• attendance to an onboarding session 
• writing at least 10 journal entries
• completion of a detailed project plan 
• attendance to a half-day Research Bootcamp on-site 
• completion of a mid-term report
• attendance to a symposium in person
• completion of a final report. 

Most research projects will be completed on the University of Ottawa campus. 

Fees

Tuition fee is the cost of a three-credit course in addition to an administrative cost of $ 175 and applicable taxes (HST).

Please note that the tuition fee for a three-credit course can vary according to student status (for example Canadian, Permanent Resident, International student) and faculty. These fees include the opportunity to work on research project with a supervisor, to get mentored, to partake to learning and development activities including a research bootcamp and a symposium as well as to gain academic recognition in the form of 3 credits. Detailed tuition cost can be found here: Tuition fee.

Research Bootcamp

All I‑CURE participants complete a mandatory half‑day, in‑person research training session that introduces core competencies such as:

• Research ethics and integrity
• Communication and presentation skills
• Library and documentary resources

Topics are developed in collaboration with key partners, including the Office of Research Ethics and Integrity and Library Services. 

The bootcamp will be scheduled at the beginning of the term.  

Research Symposium

I-CURE concludes with a research symposium, where students present their work to peers, supervising professors, and other University of Ottawa representatives. 

This capstone event highlights undergraduate research excellence and supports the development of professional communication skills. Details will be communicated at an appropriate time during the term.

I-CURE is open to undergraduate students from any faculty who meet the following criteria: 

• Have completed at least 45 credits.
• Pay the required tuition fee as well and admission fee of $175 +HST

Participating students may simultaneously hold a Tri Agency Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA from NSERC/CIHR/SSHRC). 

Professors must meet the following criteria: 

• Hold a full-time tenured or tenure-track position at uOttawa or a permanent research position at one of uOttawa’s affiliated research institutes. 
• Adjunct professors and professors emeriti are not eligible to supervise I-CURE students.

While I-CURE is managed by International Research and Experiential Learning (IREX), students follow the application process administered by Career Development and Experiential Learning (CDEL). 

• Step 1: Attend an information session (mandatory) between March 10 and April 15 (register for an information session). Following the information session, you will be sent a form to fill out.
• Step 2: If accepted into the program, pay the tuition fee for a three-credit course as well as the program fee of $175 + HST. 

Application Deadline: April 24, 2026