To broaden the training experience and promote cross-institutional collaboration, each graduate student is paired with a co-supervisor from a partner academic institution other than their home institution. Through ICARE-Nanomed’s mobility program, trainees undertake short-term research placements in partner laboratories, typically one month for MSc students and two months for PhD students, with flexibility based on individual training needs. These placements may also include participation in hands-on workshops.

Under the guidance of co-supervisors, postdoctoral fellows, and research associates, trainees expand their expertise in nanoparticle synthesis, characterization, and analytical cascade assays while gaining exposure to complementary methods, technologies, and research environments. By participating in the regular activities and weekly meetings of their host research groups, trainees also experience different approaches to scientific collaboration, knowledge exchange, and laboratory culture across disciplines and institutions.

Reflecting Canada’s bilingual identity, ICARE-Nanomed is committed to fostering an inclusive training environment for both English- and French-speaking trainees. Students are encouraged to pursue language training at their home institutions according to their individual proficiency level. Many courses, workshops, and mobility activities, particularly those hosted by francophone institutions, provide opportunities to engage with scientific terminology in both official languages, strengthening trainees’ ability to communicate and collaborate effectively within Canada’s bilingual research environment.