Interdisciplinary Science Program in Research and Entrepreneurship (INSPIRE)

Student works at a microscope
Protein strucutre
Student works in a science lab
Black and white image of cells

The INSPIRE Scholars Program runs June 16 to 27, 2025 and will take place on the UTM campus.

Science is becoming increasingly collaborative and interdisciplinary. The INSPIRE Scholars Program introduces students to the cutting-edge of research in the quantitative biological and translational sciences.  Learn how researchers from physicists to computer scientists are developing biophysical technologies and exploiting artificial intelligence and computational models to understand the biological world. This immersive, interdisciplinary program is designed to prepare students for graduate school and beyond.

 

What to expect?

The 2025 INSPIRE program aims to educate students in cutting-edge quantitative biophysical, mathematical, and computational techniques necessary for tackling critical, unresolved questions in the Life Sciences. Students will participate in hands-on modules, directly within faculty research labs, that focus on projects across scales from single proteins to microbial systems. In parallel, students will receive a crash course in research translation and innovation, meet with young entrepreneurial scientists, and participate in workshops within SpinUp, U of T’s first Life Sciences incubator.

 

Who should apply?

This program is primarily geared toward third- and fourth-year undergraduate students who wish to pursue graduate school in Physics, Chemistry, or Cell and Systems Biology. Exceptional second year undergraduates with experience in physics/chemistry/quantitative biology are also encouraged to apply.

We are committed to fostering an environment of diversity and inclusion. We especially welcome applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, Black, or racially visible (persons of colour).

 

Fees & Registration

Acceptance into the program is expected to be highly competitive. If admitted, students will be provided with a tuition fellowship to cover the costs of all instruction and laboratory fees. Students will be responsible for the additional costs of room and board should this be required. ​​

The application period will close by end of day on April 1, 2025. Have questions? Contact us at utm.inspire.info@gmail.com and a member of our team will be in touch.