Scientist in Action

The IVADO “Scientist in Action” program aims at startups interested in hosting a master’s-level intern to advance an innovation project in artificial intelligence.

The master’s student participating in the program will complete a credited internship in addition to gaining entrepreneurial experience and exploring new career opportunities.

The program objective is to match talents to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This is achieved by means of a credited applied research internship at a startup company.

The candidate acquires experience in the entrepreneurial environment and is in a better position to make career choices.

For the startup, the program offers a unique opportunity to access sought-after expertise at an affordable cost, while promoting its organizational culture and potentially recruiting a new team member.

Any project involving artificial intelligence and its applications, for example:

Business intelligence
Operations research
Data science
Data visualization
NLP
Machine learning
Etc.

For examples of mandates, here is a summary of some internship offers from previous editions.

2025

Bia Education – Optimizing Scientific Recommendation Processes Through the Analysis of Anonymized Clinical Data

Bia Education is an innovative Quebec-based company specializing in e-learning in healthcare and the transfer of scientific knowledge. Our mission is to promote rapid and efficient access to scientific research for healthcare professionals, enabling them to improve the quality of care provided. We train healthcare professionals by offering courses and a scientific subscription that combines article summaries and webinars. We are currently developing an intelligent assistant based on artificial intelligence, designed to integrate scientific recommendations and alerts directly into Electronic Medical Records (EMRs).

Scopia Tech – Computer Vision Algorithm for Surgical Navigation in Laparoscopy

Scopia helps surgeons perform minimally invasive, camera-guided surgeries (endoscope, laparoscope, etc.). Our solution adds intelligent overlays to images to improve visualization, navigation, diagnosis, and intervention.

This internship is part of a larger project developing surgical navigation for laparoscopy. The project’s goal is to superimpose, in real time during surgery, the unexposed anatomy onto laparoscopic images of abdominal organs. This reduces the risk of surgical complications by preventing the accidental exposure of critical anatomical structures. The patient’s 3D anatomy can be obtained from preoperative scans and must be registered to the 2D laparoscopic images in real time. This involves creating algorithms to automatically solve several sub-problems that can be solved using computer vision methods, such as 3D-to-2D registration of a deformable object, calculating the 3D surface from 2D images, inferring the camera’s position from 2D images of the environment, automatically recognizing anatomical structures in 2D images, semantic segmentation of 3D scans, etc. The internship will focus on automatic 2D image recognition.

Paperminds Technologies – Bilingual Voice Sentiment Analysis: Enhancing AI’s Emotional Intelligence

Paperminds is a company specializing in conversational intelligence that explores how brands connect with their stakeholders through the art of conversation and the science of understanding. We combine behavioral science with advanced deep learning technologies to create hyper-personalized conversations at scale, transforming traditional transactions into authentic and lasting relationships.

Our solutions, including docking station and conversational research platforms, are already deployed with established brands. Our Inclusive Communication Framework (ICF) ensures transparent collection and analysis of conversations to uncover unique insights into consumer emotions and behaviors. These insights empower brands to grow by putting the human experience at the heart of their operations. We train Large Language Models and speech synthesis technologies to create digital personalities capable of truly engaging, empathizing, and connecting with users.

2024

Lisplogics – Real-Time Battery Switching and Broken Bike Pickup Algorithm for Bike-Sharing

Lisplogics is an operations research company focusing on the optimization and automation of real-time operations in the shared mobility and transportation sectors, with customers including Bixi and Communauto.

The project consists in developing a dynamic algorithm to optimize battery swapping and broken bike recovery operations in a bike-sharing system (1 algorithm for both). The aim is to improve the efficiency and responsiveness of the current system by integrating a predictive model and a dynamic routing algorithm.

Neuro Solutions Group – Optimizing an avatar parent coach for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Dive into the future of digital health with an internship at Neuro Solutions Group! We’re looking for an intern with a passion for AI to revolutionize the way parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders interact with our avatars. You’ll develop an advanced chatbot for smooth communication, implement machine learning for nuanced responses, and create personalized, data-driven notifications for parental insights. Collaborate with experts to integrate a comprehensive parenting guide and improve tracking of child behavior and medication, to better manage treatment plans. Join us in shaping the future of child development and parenting support with cutting-edge technology!

Our flagship product, Kairos, aims to enrich the lives of children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD and ASD, and optimize their care by healthcare professionals. Integrating cutting-edge techniques such as gamification and artificial intelligence, Kairos offers immersive and effective therapy, enriched by key data to personalize treatments. Launched in Canada in 2022, Kairos quickly gained recognition, winning a Pediatric Device Innovation Award in Texas. Pilots are currently underway with CHUS Sherbrooke and CHU Ste-Justine. Our sights are now set on Europe, where Kairos is poised to become Canada’s first DiGA application, prescribed for children aged 6 to 12. This is an excellent opportunity to collaborate with experts in child development, parenting psychology and AI technology.

2023

Sport AI – Computer vision and natural language applied to soccer performance analysis.

At Sport AI, we use artificial intelligence to analyze the performance of soccer teams in real time to help the coaching team in their decision-making in addition to helping players improve.

The intern will have the opportunity to work on one of the following two requirements:

Develop a computer vision model (supervised learning, OpenCV or TensorFlow framework) capable of detecting players and the ball in soccer videos in real time. In addition, a natural language recognition (NLP, PyTorch) model will be developed to label match events using voice commands.
The detection model should be able to recognize people on the pitch and follow them throughout the video. The NLP model will have to result in a model that can be integrated with our performance analysis platform (operator) to communicate with our database in real time.

2022

Mely.AI – Development of an artificial intelligence model to facilitate data extraction from forms

At Mely.ai, we’re changing the supply chain and logistics landscape by providing the industry with AI-assisted tools. We want to offer an unprecedented experience to our users with the latest technologies to better serve their customers.

Mely.ai’s current added value is the ability to extract data from forms using specific templates. We also have a method for extracting data without a template, but it lacks precision.

The aim of the project is to create a generic model that will enable us to better extract data from a form into structured data. Using computer vision techniques, we will be able to identify tabular data as well as available key values.

As part of this internship, your responsibilities will include:

Analyze the company’s current methods in order to make an assessment;
Propose an alternative solution to the current information extraction method;
Implement the solution in proof-of-concept mode;
Deploy the solution on the Mely.ai SaaS platform.

Although the program is open to all students enrolled in Campus Montréal institutions (Université de Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal, HEC Montréal), McGill University and Laval University who meet the eligibility criteria and demonstrate the abilities required for the project, the main academic programs from which the students will be drawn are as follows:

HEC Montréal

Polytechnique Montréal

Modular Master’s (or DESS) in Computer Engineering
Engineering and Data Analytics option
Artificial Intelligence in Interactive Digital Entertainment option

Université de Montréal

Master’s in Computer Science – Supervised Internship option
DESS in Machine Learning
Professional master’s degree in machine learning

Université McGill

Université Laval

December 1, 2025 to midnight January 11, 2026: Call for internship projects from startups (6 weeks)
January 12 to January 30, 2026: Projects selected and approved by partner universities (3 weeks)
February 2 to 20, 2026: Publication of internship offers and interviews (3 weeks)
February 2, 2026, 12pm to 1pm: Student event: “Find your summer internship in AI”. Selected startups present their internship projects
February 23 to March 13, 2026: Finalization of internship agreements and submission of Mitacs applications
From May 2026: Start of internships.

Scientist in Action is a program of credited summer internships in AI carried out by master’s students.

Ten startups will be selected and receive IVADO co-funding for one Mitacs internship unit. The official start date is subject to Mitacs approval. We are not responsible for these delays.

Option 1: Polytechnique, HEC, McGill and DESS Mila

Duration: 4 months full-time or 6 months part-time

Value: $15,000

Cost:

Startup: $3750 + tx
IVADO: $3750
Mitacs: $7500

Option 2: Université Laval and Université de Montréal (DIRO and Mila)

Duration: 6 months full-time or 8 months part-time

Value: $30,000

Cost:

Startup: $11250 + tx
IVADO: $3750
Mitacs: $15,000

The startup’s contribution will be invoiced by Mitacs and must be paid on receipt, prior to the start of the internship. Any delay in payment of the contribution will result in a postponement of the start of the internship.

For more information on the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship program.

For the student

Be enrolled in an Master program at one of our partner universities: Université de Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal, HEC Montréal, McGill University, Université Laval;
Register the internship as part of your course load (supervised project or credited internship);
NB. It is the student’s responsibility to take the administrative steps to register the internship in his or her academic program.
Submit an application following the home university’s standard process.

For the startup

Have fewer than 20 employees;
Have a qualified person to supervise the intern (the success of the project does not rest solely on the intern’s shoulders);
Be part of (or have completed) a program from a recognized entrepreneurship support organization (accelerator or incubator) or demonstrate an equivalent level of project maturity and structure;
Pay the invoice of $3750 + tx upon receipt to Mitacs before the start of the course.

Reminder: The internship will not be approved and cannot begin until the invoice has been paid. This is a determining factor in the realization of the internship and the start date. No exceptions are permitted.

For the student

The list of available internships and information about each application process will be available in the “List of available internships” section below.

For the startup

Complete and submit this form before midnight January 6, 2025. Any submission that is incomplete or sent by any means other than the form will be automatically rejected.

We suggest that you copy and paste your text once written.

If you have any questions, please contact: entrepreneuriat@ivado.ca

Internship offers will be posted and available starting February 5, 2026.

A committee composed of:

Two to three IVADO technology transfer advisors, including the entrepreneurship advisor,
The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Advisor

The committee will assess the applications and make a selection based primarily on compliance with eligibility criteria, the quality of the proposed internship project and the project’s impact on the company. The evaluation committee will be multidisciplinary and in line with EDI principles.

The IVADO entrepreneurship advisor will present the selected internship projects to the partner universities, who will judge which proposals meet the requirements of their programs and can be presented to their students.

As for the choice of interns, it’s the startup’s responsibility to interview and confirm the successful candidate to the entrepreneurship advisor before the date they’ll be given.

As this is not a research internship and is being conducted using funding programs such as MITACS or SSE, the intellectual property policies apply depending on the chosen university, as follows:

McGill University: The intellectual property terms for this project conform to McGill University’s standard terms, according to which the intellectual property generated by this project will belong to the partner, subject to certain reservations. More details are available here: McGill-Terms-and-Conditions-Updated-June-2024-Final-1.pdf

Polytechnique Montréal: Polytechnique Montréal’s technological intellectual property policy applies unless the parties agree to a separate agreement, at the partner’s request.

HEC Montréal: HEC Montréal’s Intellectual Property Policy states that intellectual property (IP) created by students belongs to them, unless it stems from a research project, a grant, or an institutional mandate.

In the case of a credited internship in a private company, HEC Montréal is not a party to the agreement between the student and the company; the IP belongs to the company or is shared according to the agreement between the two. More details here: Intellectual Property Policy – HEC Montréal (PDF)

Université Laval: The Intellectual Property Regulations apply to activities carried out with the resources or under the authority of the University.

However, if it is an independent internship in a company, without university funding, the intellectual property (IP) belongs to the intern and/or the company, as specified in the internship agreement. More details here: Intellectual Property Regulations – Laval University (PDF)

University of Montreal: In the case of an internship in a company, the work produced is considered personal work, therefore the IP belongs to the student or the company, according to the signed agreement. More details here: Intellectual Property Policy – University of Montreal (PDF)

For interns

Demonstrate integrity and respect in all aspects of your collaboration with the startup;

Respect the terms of the internship and ensure that objectives and deliverables are met to the best of your ability;

Mention IVADO in public communications about the internship and participate, whenever possible, in IVADO student activities.

For the startup company

Respect EDI principles when selecting candidates, in accordance with the IVADO EDI reference framework;

Consult the IVADO brochure on unconscious bias in recruitment;

Provide a working environment and infrastructure that enables the smooth running and completion of the project;

Demonstrate integrity and respect in all aspects of your collaboration with the intern;

Be available on February 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., for the presentation of internship projects to the student community;

Be available during the process leading up to the submission of the Mitacs application (a few meetings and e-mail exchanges are to be expected);

Complete the short feedback survey sent by IVADO at the end of the course;

Mention IVADO in public communications related to the intern’s work.

IVADO’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion

To ensure that all members of society benefit equally from the advancement of knowledge and opportunities, IVADO promotes the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in all its programs. IVADO is committed to providing a recruitment process and research framework that are inclusive, non-discriminatory, open and transparent.