A graduate and postgraduate research and training university with 150 professors, over 700 students, and a hundred postdoctoral researchers at four centers located in Montreal, Québec City, Laval, and Varennes.
One university, one mission
INRS (Institut national de la recherche scientifique) is one of Canada’s top universities in terms of research intensity (funding per faculty member). It brings together 150 professors, over 700 graduate and postgraduate students, and a hundred postdoctoral researchers at four centers in Montreal, Québec City, Laval, and Varennes. Conducting applied and fundamental research essential to the advancement of science in Quebec and around the world, our research teams plays a critical role in finding solutions to problems facing our society. Founded in 1969, INRS is one of the nine establishments that make up the Université du Québec network.
“The Institute is dedicated to fundamental and applied research, graduate studies, and the training of researchers. In keeping with its mission and objectives as a research university, the Institute specifically gears its activities towards Quebec’s economic, social, and cultural development, as well as the transfer of knowledge and technology stemming from all its fields of study.” INRS letters patent, 1999
Forty years of leadership
For over 40 years, INRS has contributed to advancing scientific knowledge and training highly qualified students in sectors of great strategic importance for our society: water, earth, and the environment; energy, materials, and telecommunications; human, animal, and environmental health; and urbanization, culture, and society.INRS ranks first in Quebec and second in Canada in terms of grants per professor according to Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities. INRS is an incubator of social, technological, and scientific innovation.
Twenty-two graduate and postgraduate programs
INRS offers 22 distinct and highly specialized programs (14 master’s and 8 doctorate) with and without research and professional profiles. Each program was designed specifically for INRS; no other university in Quebec offers similar programs. These exclusive programs include a master’s and a doctorate in water sciences (Eau Terre Environnement resesarch center), a master’s and doctorate in energy and materials sciences (Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications research center), masters degrees in applied microbiology and experimental health sciences and a doctorate in virology and immunology (INRS–Institut Armand-Frappier research center), and a masters’ degrees in research practices and public action as well as a master’s and a doctorate in urban studies (Urbanisation Culture Société research center). Between its opening and fall 2010, INRS awarded degrees to 2,200 students.
Students at the heart of research
INRS favors a thematic and multidisciplinary approach to training and research in order to advance scientific knowledge. The training students receive is closely linked to this multidisciplinary approach to research. Students receive customized training because they are integrated into research teams from the start, which greatly facilitates the acquisition and development of knowledge and skills. Our 150 professors are frequently looking for students eager to contribute to the advancement of science through innovative research projects
A university on a human scale
Every year, INRS welcomes some 600 students, nearly 50% of which are women. In fall 2009, there were 244 master’s students, 316 doctoral students, 17 graduate and postgraduate interns,and 81 postdoctoral interns.INRS is open to the world: One-third of its students areforeign nationals from a total of some forty countries including France, Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, Germany, India, China, Vietnam, and Mexico.
INRS is renowned for its research performance and high-quality training provided by 150 professors. Its small size is also an asset: Professors are able to meet, guide, and work closely with each individual student throughout the training period. In some cases, these collaborative relationships extend to postdoctoral studies. Students completing their master’s or doctoral degrees at one of the 4 INRS centers acquire and develop skills in a truly inspiring environment.
University partnerships
INRS works with a number of major partners across Quebec and Canada. INRS is part of a network of international partners. Our four centers take an active approach to research and work in partnership with the industry and government. INRS professors work with colleagues from over twenty university institutions in countries like France, Tunisia, Argentina, Vietnam, Italy, Mexico, and the United States. Our university has a total budget of over $110 million, including $45 million from research grants and contracts.
Human resources at your service
INRS employs over 650 staff members offering the skills of 60 occupations and services. The count as of fall 2010 was 150 professors; 64 honorary, emeritus, and associate professors; 39 research associates; 165 research professionals and assistants; 131 technicians; 61 office employees and technical assistants; and 18 administrators (41% women) including four senior administrators.
Eau Terre Environnement research center (French only)
Environmental risks stemming from natural events and contamination
Impact of adaptation to climate change and extreme weather
Integrated water and mineral resource management and land use planning
Urban and natural environment renewal technology
Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications research center
Telecommunicationsnetworks
Wireless communications
Multimedia signal processing
Materials, nanotechnologies, and component engineering: RF systems and photonic devices
Ultra-fast photonics
Materials and decentralized energy systems
Energy modeling and analysis (GAME)
Magnetic confinement fusion
INRS–Institut Armand-Frappier research center
Immunity, infectious diseases, cancer, and epidemiology
Environmental biotechnology
Environmental toxicology and pharmacochemistry
Urbanisation Culture Société research center
Montreal—a city in transformation
Mobility and migration
Local economic development, work, and innovation
Reconstituted territory, decentralization, and democracy
Families, personal networks, and social solidarity
Life stages, life paths, and intergenerational dynamics
Social exclusion and vulnerability
Habitat, neighborhoods, and lifestyle
Cultural practices, social space, and territory
Cultural diversity, immigration, and modes of cohabitation
The institutionalization of culture
Infrastructure and equipment (French only)
INRS offers state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge technology in world-class research facilities. It also provides the community with high-quality services in its fields of expertise.
Research chairs, groups, and networks (French only)
INRS pursues its goal of contributing to social, technological, and scientific research through an ever-growing network of partners, including Canada Research Chairs and major university groups.