Eligible interns are full-time graduate students enrolled in, or postdoctoral fellows working in, a Canadian participating institution in any area of research, including natural science, engineering, economy, social science, health, environment and ethics, provided that their skills are sought by the participating firm to support its innovation process. Interns are paid by stipends through the financial systems of their respective institutions. Interns need not be a Canadian citizen; foreign students and permanent residents are eligible.

A maximum of two NCE IRDI internships are allowed for any individual over the course of their entire academic and post academic career.

Eligible participating institutions are Canadian universities with a mandate for research and their affiliated institutions, including hospitals and research institutes, that are eligible to receive funds from any of the federal granting agencies, and who enroll or otherwise give academic status to eligible interns.