Institut national de la recherche scientifique
Québec, Canada • Founded 1969 • World Rank #1183
Updated Sep 2026
Overview
Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) is a research-only graduate institute: it teaches exclusively at the master's and doctoral levels and admits no undergraduates.
Created by the Quebec government in 1969 as the research-intensive member of the Université du Québec network, INRS organizes its work not into faculties but into five interdisciplinary research and training centres — Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie in Laval, Eau Terre Environnement in Québec City, Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications in Varennes and Montréal, Urbanisation Culture Société in Montréal and Québec City, and Ruralités durables in Baie-Saint-Paul — covering health and biotechnology, water and environmental science, energy and telecommunications, urban and social studies, and sustainable rural development. Graduate applicants generally secure a professor willing to direct their research before applying, since admission to most research-type master's programs and most doctoral programs depends on this; professional, non-thesis programs are an exception.
Applicants then submit transcripts, diplomas, a CV, a statement and three academic references online, pay an application fee, and receive a decision by email from the program's admissions committee before registering; deadlines fall on 30 March for fall admission, 1 November for winter, and 1 March for summer. Instruction and program materials are primarily in French.
Location & Contact
For visits or applications to Institut national de la recherche scientifique, location and primary contact details are below. Open days are typically announced via social channels — follow them to receive event notifications.
Academic Details
The academic indicators below give context on how Institut national de la recherche scientifique operates at scale. A lower staff-to-student ratio generally signals more faculty access, though research-heavy institutions skew the read.
Academic Structures
Institut national de la recherche scientifique's academic structure — the schools, colleges, and divisions inside the institution — is laid out below. Use this map when figuring out which faculty owns the programme you want.
Unit 5 items
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement
- Centre Ruralités durables
- Centre Urbanisation Culture Société
- Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications
Degrees
Find the degree level matching your study stage at Institut national de la recherche scientifique. Bologna-process cycles (1st/2nd/3rd) map roughly to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral but with country-specific variations.
Master's 11 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Earth Sciences
- Energy and Materials Science
- Experimental Health Sciences
- Indigenous Studies
- Knowledge Mobilization and Transfer
- Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Population Studies
- Telecommunications
- Urban Studies
- Virology and Immunology
- Water Sciences
Doctoral 10 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Biology
- Earth Sciences
- Energy and Materials Science
- Health and Society (interdisciplinary)
- Indigenous Studies
- Population Studies
- Telecommunications
- Urban Studies
- Virology and Immunology
- Water Sciences
Diploma & Certificate 1 program
Diploma and certificate routes deliver focused, applied training for fast entry into skilled occupations.
- Knowledge Mobilization and Transfer
Other 3 programs
- Impact Assessment and Sustainable Development
- Knowledge Mobilization and Transfer
- Research-Based Management and Entrepreneurial Development
Faculties & Divisions
Below is how Institut national de la recherche scientifique divides teaching by faculty and subject. Dual-major pathways spanning two faculties exist at some universities but require coordination between departments.
Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie (Research Centre) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health
- Biotechnology
Centre Eau Terre Environnement (Research Centre) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Water
- Earth
- Environment
Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications (Research Centre) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Energy
- Materials
- Telecommunications
Common Career Paths
- Journalist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Content Strategist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Centre Urbanisation Culture Société (Research Centre) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Urbanisation
- Culture
- Society
Centre Ruralités durables (Research Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Sustainable Rural Development
Programs Offered
Institut national de la recherche scientifique's catalogue, searchable by name and grouped by level. Joint programmes with partner institutions appear here but carry dual-credentialing rules worth checking with both bodies.
32 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Canada
Master's Degree 19 programmes
Showing 10 of 19.
Doctorate 12 programmes
Showing 10 of 12.
Postgraduate Diploma 1 programme
How to apply to Institut national de la recherche scientifique
A short guide to applying to Institut national de la recherche scientifique — five steps covering the path from programme selection to confirmation of receipt.
-
1
Find a programme that fits your goals
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Institut national de la recherche scientifique runs 32 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
-
2
Confirm you meet the requirements
Before applying to Institut national de la recherche scientifique, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Canada.
-
3
Assemble your application package
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Institut national de la recherche scientifique's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
-
4
Submit your application
Lodge your application through the official website (www.inrs.ca). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
-
5
Contact admissions and follow up
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +1 418-654-4677. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Institut national de la recherche scientifique
Common questions about Institut national de la recherche scientifique answered concisely, with each answer grounded in the institution's published data.
In what year was Institut national de la recherche scientifique established?
Institut national de la recherche scientifique was founded in 1969 (approximately 57 years ago).
In which city is Institut national de la recherche scientifique?
Institut national de la recherche scientifique is based in Québec, Canada.
Is Institut national de la recherche scientifique public or private?
Institut national de la recherche scientifique operates as a public institution.
Where does Institut national de la recherche scientifique stand in university rankings?
Institut national de la recherche scientifique is ranked #1183 globally and #30 in Canada.
What degrees does Institut national de la recherche scientifique offer?
Institut national de la recherche scientifique offers master's and doctoral programmes.
What is Institut national de la recherche scientifique's academic structure?
Institut national de la recherche scientifique is organised into 5 academic units across its disciplines.
What is Institut national de la recherche scientifique's official website?
You can find Institut national de la recherche scientifique online at www.inrs.ca.
Top-Ranked Universities in Canada
Looking for the strongest names in Canada? These are the highest-ranked institutions nationally — useful context for benchmarking Institut national de la recherche scientifique against the country's most established universities. National benchmarks also signal the upper bound of academic prestige in Canada.
Faculties at nearby universities
Nearby institutions to Institut national de la recherche scientifique often share sports, residence, and student-life facilities through regional consortia. The shared infrastructure can shape your day-to-day experience meaningfully.
Where Else to Study Materials Science
Cohort intake size shapes class culture meaningfully in Materials Science. Some Canada institutions accept a few dozen, others hundreds — the difference affects peer-learning depth and faculty access.
Universities Compared with Institut national de la recherche scientifique
Yield rates (proportion of admitted students who enroll) cluster among peer institutions. High-yield universities signal strong applicant preference compared to peers at the same selectivity level.
Studying in Canada: guides and resources
Spotted something outdated or missing?
Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.
