SICI is delighted to invite applications for the Shastri Alberta Students in India (SASI) Project 2025-26. This initiative provides grants and support for a 6-8 weeks (hybrid) work internship to post-secondary students from Alberta in distinguished Indian institutions under the guidance of host faculty members.
Project Overview and Objectives
The SASI Project is a pilot initiative under SICI's Engaging Alberta in India Program (EAI), generously funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education, Government of Alberta. The EAI Program aims to establish and strengthen potential engagements between Alberta and India through higher education, industry collaboration, and people-to-people partnerships.
The SASI Project redefines internships, offering Alberta students a comprehensive experience that fuels personal, academic, and professional growth. Objectives include:
Eligibility Criteria for SASI Applicants
- Immerse Alberta post-secondary students in an impactful 6-8 weeks work and socio-cultural venture in India, fostering global competencies, adaptability, and an international mindset.
- Deliver hands-on training and work exposure through projects with esteemed Indian institutions across industries, honing practical skills and industry-specific knowledge to meet global workforce demands.
- Foster intercultural, interpersonal, and cross-cultural communication skills by placing students in collaborative environments with diverse, multicultural teams.
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents enrolled in programs at Alberta community colleges, polytechnics, and universities are eligible. This includes students in 1-year certificate programs, 2-year diplomas, associate or applied degree programs, 4-year bachelor’s degrees, as well as post-bachelor and graduate certificate or diploma programs.
- A list of Eligible Post-Secondary Institutions of Alberta is given in this link.
- Proficiency in the English language is required.
- Students with any previous academic degrees/diplomas from Indian institutions are not eligible.
- Financially challenged and Indigenous students are highly encouraged to apply.
Note: Emphasizing diversity, inclusivity, and addressing specific student needs, SICI will use a flexible strategy, reserving grants for students with Indigenous ancestry and those facing financial challenges, following these key principles:
- Inclusivity: In this pilot project SICI promotes a diverse, inclusive community, recognizing challenges faced by students with Indigenous ancestry and financial hardships.
- Flexibility: Adapting our approach to the actual needs of our applicants, the pilot allows us to stay responsive to dynamic student populations.
- Fairness: Our commitment ensures a proportionate representation and needs-based distribution of grants, avoiding discrimination.
Internship Timeline and Structure (July 1 – August 24, 2026)
- The internship will run for 6–8 weeks, scheduled between July 1 and August 24, 2026.
- Week 1 (Virtual): Orientation, project handover, and readiness activities conducted by the host institution.
- Weeks 2–6 (for a 6-week option) or Weeks 2–7 (for a longer 7–8 weeks option): In-person project implementation in India, involving lab work, classroom engagement, field visits, and concluding activities such as reporting, debriefing, and project wrap-up with the host institution.
- Travel: All participating students will travel to India together as a cohort, accompanied by a SICI representative.
SASI Grant Details (Value, Coverage, Facilitations)
- Number of SASI Grants: 12 (twelve).
- SASI Grant Value: CAD$ 8,500/grant.
- Grant Coverage : Covers international round trip air tickets, domestic travel, accommodation, meals, visa, health insurance, stipend, and an honorarium to host faculty.
- Wrap-around facilitation includes SICI arranging/assisting interns in obtaining appropriate Indian visas, securing accommodations, connecting students with host Indian supervisors, providing orientations, mentoring, etc..
Credit Earning Opportunity for SASI Interns
- SICI encourages interested students to speak with their instructors or academic advisors at their home institutions before applying for the SASI grant. These discussions can help determine whether their proposed SASI project may qualify for academic credit. While earning credit is not a requirement of the program, it can provide additional academic and professional benefits.
List of Host Institutions and Internship Projects
- Please click this link to view a list of Host Institutions and Internship Projects
Application Requirements and Deadline
- Documents:.
- Completed SASI Application Form 2025–26.
- Resume (max 2 pages).
- Reference Form (SICI format).
- Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent residency (passport, birth certificate, or PR card).
- File format:.
- Combine items (Application Form, Resume, Reference Form) into one PDF..
- Submit Proof of Status as a separate PDF..
- Submission:.
- Email to siciapp@ucalgary.ca.
- Subject line: SASI Application 2025–26 – [Your Full Name].
- Deadline:.
- November 30, 2025, 11:00 p.m. MST.
- Results:
- Selected interns announced by December 8, 2025..
Download Forms
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information or clarification, please email:
Mahmuda Aldeen (maldeen@ucalgary.ca)
Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute
# 1418 Education Tower
2500 University Drive NW
Calgary AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Phone: (403) 220-3220
