Competitions and Scientific Events
If you’re looking to challenge yourself and like to compete, student competitions, just as science promotion events, are a great opportunity to showcase your achievements and gain self-assurance. Competitions, just as symposia, conferences, and scientific events, are great opportunities to share your knowledge with your peers and the general public. Will you discover a real passion for communication?
Science POP Competition
3 Minute Thesis Competition
Ma thèse en 180 secondes/Three Minute Thesis
The Ma thèse en 180 secondes (MT180) competition is a French-language event organized by Association francophone pour le savoir (Acfas). Finals are held in all Quebec universities. Winners from each university then gather for the provincial final, which is held in a different university each year. The MT180 competition is an opportunity for PhD students to explain their research topic to a lay audience. Find out more about the INRS final
INRS also organizes a final of the Three Minute Thesis competition (3MT), the English-language version of the MT180. The Three Minute Thesis competition allows master’s and doctoral students to present, in English, their research topic in simple terms to a lay audience. Find out more about the INRS final
La preuve par l’image/Science Exposed
The La preuve par l’image/Science Exposed competition is an initiative of Association francophone pour le savoir (ACFAS) in collaboration with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The competition is devoted exclusively to visual images of scientific research, in all fields of study (except the visual and media arts and research-creation. All visual production techniques are accepted: photography, radiography, drawing, graphs, etc. For information on how to enter and details on the prizes, visit Acfas website
OSEntreprendre challenge
This Quebec competition aims to promote the entrepreneurial initiatives of students at all levels of education. Find out more about the challenge
Génies en affaires
The Génies en affaires competition, organized by Association francophone pour le savoir (ACFAS), gives university students the opportunity to team up and test the feasibility of their innovative projects with professionals and the general public. The goal of the multi-day competition is to show how their projects can improve society. For information on how to enter and details on the prizes, visit Génie en affaires website.
Josianne Bienvenue-Pariseault and Rita-Audrey Gouessé at the Forces AVENIR 2019 gala. Their project for a student science journal La Synthèse was a finalist.
Forces AVENIR
The Forces AVENIR competition recognizes, honours, and promotes academic achievement and student engagement in projects that contribute to the development of open-minded, responsible citizens with a strong community commitment.
For the eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, and prize details, check out Forces AVENIR website.
Science POP
Science POP is a Quebec-wide scientific communication competition brought forward by the IRCM and supported by the FRQS with the mission of promoting dialogue between science and society. Learn more on INRS competition
AquaHacking
The AquaHacking Challenge is a tech competition aimed at finding original and sustainable solutions to important water resource problems and promoting entrepreneurship and the commercialization of the solutions presented at the competition.
Generous scholarships are presented to the winning teams so they can continue developing their innovations. Teams made up of students, faculty members, and postdoctoral fellows can enter. The challenge was created by the De Gaspé Beaubien Foundation and has been held in cities across Canada since 2015.
Two INRS teams have won the challenge: E-Nundation in 2018 (flood risk management) and GuIA in 2019 (smart spreading of de-icing salts for roads). For eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, and prize details, visit AquaHacking website.
E-Nundation
GuIA
Université du Québec video competition
This annual video competition is aimed at revealing different facets of student life and promoting university research. The competition, which has a different theme each year, emphasizes creativity and is a great opportunity to hone your scriptwriting and science communication skills.
The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students at Université du Québec member institutions. The winning videos are distributed through Savoir Média.
Please note that the most recent edition of the competition was held in 2020.
Québec Science inventions of the year competition
Québec Science magazine and Association pour le développement de la recherche et de l’innovation du Québec (ADRIQ) are seeking promising innovations developed by Quebec researchers. The INRS research team behind the E-Nundation app, a flood risk management tool, was among the innovations of 2019. For information on how to enter and prize details on the next edition, check out Québec Science website.
Here are 7 good reasons to share your research.
To promote scientific research
To make science accessible to all
To spark public interest in science
To enhance the public’s level of science literacy
To fight disinformation
To improve your communication skills
To shine a spotlight on INRS
Our students regularly get involved in activities designed to make science interesting and accessible to a wide audience. Participating in competitions will allow you to become known in the scientific and academic community. Some competitions can even open doors to career opportunities in business and industry. So go for it!
Outside events to showcase your results
Participate in science events for the general public. Spark an interest in science for 7 to 77 year olds. Explain how your research project contributes to meeting society’s needs. Showcase your master’s or doctoral work!
Girls and science
Les filles et les sciences is a free event held every year in four cities—Montréal, Québec City, Rimouski, and Sherbrooke—and is aimed at introducing science and technology professions and the required programs of study to girls in Secondary 2, 3, and 4. The event features group activities, demonstrations, and workshops led by members of the scientific community. Learn more
Eureka! Festival
The Eureka! Festival celebrates science and technology and is aimed at people of all ages, but particularly young people and their families.
The many exhibitors go all out to introduce them to and demystify the fascinating world of science. Learn more
Pint of Science
Pint of Science is a science communication festival, held every year around the world in May. Scientists and members of the general public are invited to gather in bars, cafés, and other public places to discuss science. Learn more
24 hours of science
The 24 heures de science event was launched by the NGO, Science pour tous. Over a period of 24 hours, more than 400 science-based activities are held across Quebec, including workshops, presentations, and laboratory visits. Learn more
Déclic lectures
Centre Déclic’s mission is to provide a two-way channel for scientists to share their research knowledge with the general public. Learn more
Fernand-Seguin scholarship
The Fernand-Seguin scholarship is awarded annually and gives students a chance to break into the media and scientific communication. A real springboard for those interested in a media career, it offers a unique opportunity to learn the profession of science journalism through internships with recognized traditional and digital media outlets. For registration and award details, browse ACS website.
If you have questions, please contact the Student Life Services.