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.

2026  

Conversaflex — Improved “Speech-to-Text” Model for Second-Language Learners  

Conversaflex develops artificial intelligence-based language learning solutions for businesses. The company designs tools to improve oral and written communication skills in a professional setting. Its technologies are based on natural language processing and speech analysis. Conversaflex aims to make learning more accessible, personalized, and measurable.  

The internship involves analyzing and improving an existing “speech-to-text” model trained on multilingual audio files. The intern will evaluate the model’s performance based on various metrics (accuracy, error rate, robustness). The project includes optimizing the model using new datasets and analyzing linguistic biases. The goal is to improve the quality of the transcriptions and their relevance for corporate language learning.  

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 stations 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

• M.Sc. in Business Intelligence
• M.Sc. in Data Science and Business Analytics

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

• M.Sc. (Non-Thesis) Computer Science
• Master in Engineering and Computer Science

Université Laval

• Master in Computer Science – Artificial Intelligence
• M.Sc. Business Analytics

• November 2 through December 6, 2026, at midnight: Call for internship proposals at startups (5 weeks) 
  
• December 7–20, 2026: Project evaluation by the committee (2 weeks)  
• Week of December 21, 2026: Response to Startups   
• January 4–19, 2027: Startups draft internship descriptions and prepare their pitches (2 weeks)  
• January 20, 2027: Internship fair  
• January 28, 2027 at 12:00 pm: project pitches by startups (Online) 
• January 20 through February 17, 2027: Student application and interview period (4 weeks)  
• February 18–March 24, 2027: Finalization of internship agreements, coordination with universities, and submission of Mitacs applications (5 weeks; deadline: March 24)  
• March through May 2027: Mitacs approval period and university sign-offs   
• Starting in May 2027: Internships begin, depending on the approval date for each application  

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

Fifteen 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 and McGill

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.

Note that students are responsible for confirming with the university the amount they will receive (some fees may be charged by the universities).

For more information on the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship program.

For the intern:  

• Be enrolled in a master’s program at one of the partner universities (UdeM, Poly, HEC, McGill, ULaval) for the duration of the internship. *  

* It is the student’s responsibility to complete the necessary administrative procedures to register the internship as part of their academic program. (Supervised project or credit-bearing internship).  

For the startup:  

• Have fewer than 20 employees;  

• Have a qualified person supervise the intern (the success of the project does not rest solely on the intern’s shoulders);  

• Be participating in (or have completed) a program offered by a recognized entrepreneurship support organization (accelerator or incubator) or demonstrate an equivalent level of project maturity and structure;  

• Pay the invoice upon receipt of $3750 + tx to Mitacs before the start of the internship. * Consider the additional amounts for UdeM and Ulaval. 

• Reminder: The internship will not be approved and cannot begin until the invoice has been paid. This is a determining factor in whether the internship takes place and when it begins. No exceptions will be made.  

For the intern:  

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

For the startup:  

Fill out and submit this form by midnight on December 6, 2026.   

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

Coming soon

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.

Mitacs’ policy regarding the Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program stipulates that Mitacs and its funders do not claim any intellectual property (IP) rights over the results or innovations arising from funded projects.  [1, 2]  

Since this is not a research internship and is conducted as part of MITACS SSE funding programs, intellectual property policies apply according to the selected university. 

For interns  

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

• Comply with the terms of the internship and do one’s best to ensure that the objectives and deliverables are met;  

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

For the startup  

• Provide a work environment and infrastructure that enable the project to proceed smoothly and be completed;  

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

• Be available for the event to present internship projects to the student body;  

• Be available throughout the process leading up to the submission of the Mitacs application (expect a few meetings and email exchanges);  

• Complete the short feedback survey sent by IVADO;  

• 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 advances in knowledge and opportunities, IVADO promotes the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in all its programs. IVADO is committed to providing an inclusive, non-discriminatory, open, and transparent recruitment process and research environment.