Institut National de Recherche Scientifique (National Institute of Scientific Research) or commonly called THE INSTITUTE is a graduate research constituent university of the Université du Québec system. Founded in 1969, the institute is poised on conducting applied and ground laying research crucial to the progression of science in the Quebec area and around the world. 58% of students are international students from countries like India, Germany, France, Morocco, Mexico, China, etc to grow and study in Canada.
INRS is ranked number one in Quebec and Canada for Research Intensity 2023-2024. Institut National De La Recherche Scientifique recorded 95% of students satisfied with their program with 1 faculty per 4.7 students (lowest ratio in Canada) and an employment rate of 85%.
Every year, the Institute welcomes up to 700 students. 60% of these students are doctorate students and 40% are master’s students. The institute has partnered with up to 63 universities all over the world in 23 countries opening paths for students to explore the professional world.
The institute offers research in four distinct areas and also incorporates The Énergie, Matériaux et Telecommunications (EMT, Energy, Materials, and Telecommunications) INRS-EMT, as well as offering summer undergraduate research internships, master’s, doctorates, short programs, dual degree programs, and graduate certification programs.
Rankings
The Institut National De Recherche Scientifique has been among the top institutions in Canada for research.
- INRS has been ranked number one in Quebec and Canada for research activity in 2018-19 by Research Infosource.
- Ranked #889 in World Rankings by CWUR, 2023-24
- Ranked #27 in National Rankings by CWUR, 2023-24
Highlights
| Type of institute |
Public |
| Location |
Quebec, Montréal, Laval, and Varennes |
| Mode of application |
Online |
| Application fee |
52.72 CAD |
| Housing facilities |
Off-campus |
| Financial aid |
Scholarships and discounts |
| Official website |
http://www.the institute.ca/english/homepage |
Institut National de Recherche Scientifique Campus
- The institute operates with four teaching and research centers located in different cities Quebec, Montréal, Laval, and Varennes.
- There are several research infrastructures at the institute which include Micro and Nanofabrication Laboratory, Environmental Technologies Pilot Laboratory, Optimal Zeitgeist Laboratory, Remote Sensing and Geomatics Laboratory, Laboratory of Biooptics, and Aquatic Biogeochemistry, Doping Control Laboratory, Radiofrequency Laboratory (LRF), amongst others.
- The institute operates with an impressive number of 150 professors. To date, the university is the first and remains the only Canadian university to be hosted by Venice International University.
- They have three libraries located in three of their centers that provide concrete and digital materials to students.
Institut National de Recherche Scientifique Residence
- The institute does not offer on-campus or university accommodations to its students.
- The residence buildings of the Université du Québec cater to the accommodation needs of the student of the National Institute of Scientific Research.
- The residence buildings of the Université du Québec – Sainte-Hélène residences and Fleurie building, all in the Quebec area.
- Types of accommodation available at the residences include four 1/2 (two bedrooms), six 1/2 (four bedrooms), and studios (double and single occupancy).
- Room features include a bed, wardrobe, mattress, drawers, mirror, window blinds, floor lamp, work desk, bedside table, and a hutch with an integrated message board and neon.
- Amenities include laundry, TV, garden, free Wi-Fi, portable air conditioner, shared kitchen, refrigerator, living room, bathroom facilities, non-smoking rooms, oven, parking, and gardens.
Institut National de Recherche Scientifique Programs
- The Institute offers summer undergraduate research internships, masters, doctorates, short programs, dual degree programs, and post-graduate certification.
- There are more than nine research projects for masters and 13 research projects for doctoral. Additionally, the institute offers thesis co-supervision programs leading to the bidiplomation with France, Italy, and Morocco.
- There are around 13 masters and eight doctoral programs and seven dual pathways.
- There are three short programs and one specialized graduate diploma (DESS) in research practices and public action offered at the institution.
- There are three postdoctoral fellowship positions open to students currently at The Institute.
- There are undergraduate research internships in areas like social science, advanced technology, environment, and earth science, and health biosciences.
Institut National de Recherche Scientifique Application process
Application portal: Online INRS Application
Application fee: 52.72 CAD
Supporting documents/required conditions:
- Official Transcripts
- Curriculum Vitae
- Birth Certificate
- Three Reference Letters
- Diploma Certificate Or Equivalent
- Letter of Intent
NOTE: Before commencement of application, applicants must find a professor at INRS who will be willing to work as a research advisor to them. This is a prerequisite before any application to a master or doctoral research program.
Institut National de Recherche Scientifique Cost of Attendance
The table below shows the cost of living in Canada while studying at INRS. The cost presented in estimated and may vary.
| Expense |
Amount per annum (in CAD) |
| Estimated tuition and other academic fees |
8,829.23 |
| Books and supplies |
500 |
| Health plan |
900 |
| Food |
4,000 |
| Accommodation |
4,800-8,000 |
| Miscellaneous |
1,000 |
| Total |
20,029.23-23,229.23 |
Note: International students without thesis tuition fees are calculated on a basis of 15 credits per term.
Institut National de Recherche Scientifique Financial Aid
- There is tuition exemption for international students and Canadian students from outside Quebec at Institut National de Recherche Scientifique.
- International Doctoral Students do receive an exemption scholarship. The institute offers institutional scholarships in fields of pure and applied science, and social sciences are eligible for all students.
- Financial aids that international students qualify for are scholarships, grants, student jobs, and external aids.
- Examples of financial aids available to international students include:
- SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowships: The SSHRC funding is given through open competitions. Literary-like theses are not eligible for this funding. The amount is 45,000 CAD for a year and a maximum of 90,000 CAD for two years.
- Some tuition exemptions are also available for international students.
- Apart from this, there are a number of external organizations that offer Scholarships for international students in Canada.
Institut National de Recherche Scientifique Alumni Network
The institute shows its presence in the world through its alumni association. Some of the notable alumni of the institute include:
- Karim Mekkaoui –CEO at MEKTEL
- Claude Fortin –Researcher
- Geneviève Cloutier –Author
- Arnaldo Attallah –CEO at Enertel Controls Inc.
- Nguyen Thanh My –Businessman
Institut National de Recherche Scientifique Placement
- INRS believes and whole-heartedly promote entrepreneurship and inspire students to start their own company together with the help of their Business Partnership ties
- Some startups like Arpent: Urban Studies and Land Use Planning, Axis Photonique, Clean Nature, etc are established within the Institute.
- INRS has recorded an employment rate of 85% within six months of graduation.
- Also, INSR provides jobs in categories like Administrative Support, Executive, Internships, Professional, and Professor.
Average Salary of Institut National De Recherche Scientifique graduates by Emolument:
| Position |
Average Salary (CAD) |
| Executive Management & Change |
84,000 |
| Consulting, Accounting & Professional Services |
75,000 |
| Financial Services |
68,000 |
| Financial Control and Strategy |
66,000 |
| Human Resources |
65,000 |
| Sales & Business Development |
63,000 |
