Project Story

Help UM students take their research to the world stage

What can a team of University of Manitoba students accomplish when curiosity, creativity and science come together?  Prairie iGEM is ready to show the world.

Every year, thousands of students from more than 40 countries gather at the iGEM Grand Jamboree, the world’s largest synthetic biology competition, to present research they have designed, built and tested themselves. UManitoba Prairie iGEM is a student-led team from Winnipeg, bringing together undergraduates from microbiology, genetics, psychology, computer science and other disciplines to tackle scientific challenges through collaboration and innovation.

Since January, our team has dedicated countless hours into our project, H.A.L.T. -UTI, turning a bold idea into research they can share with an international community of scientists, students and industry leaders.

[Can we say a little something about the project? A plain-language explanation of what the project aims to accomplish would make the story more compelling for donors without a science background.]

This year marks our fifth consecutive year competing at the iGEM Grand Jamboree. Each year, new students bring fresh ideas, building on the knowledge and experience of those who came before them.  The result is more than a competition entry:  it’s an opportunity to develop research skills, build connections and strengthen the next generation of scientific talent at the University of Manitoba.

Help us close the gap

Thanks to the generous support of the Faculty of Science and its departments, the team has already secured $26,000 toward its $33,000 funding goal. Now, Prairie iGEM needs to raise the remaining $7,000 by December 31, 2026 and is asking for your help to get them there.

Your gift will help the team:

• Bring student researchers to the world stage by offsetting travel costs to participate in the competition
• Turn ideas into experiments by purchasing hardware and consumable reagents.
• Build skills and connections through the experience of presenting their work, learning from other teams and engaging with the international scientific community.
• Inspire future innovators by supporting student leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration and scientific discover at the University of Manitoba.

Your support makes a difference

For these students, participating in Prairie iGEM is about more than travelling to a competition.  It’s a chance to put their research to the test, explain and defend their ideas, learn from peers around the world and bring new knowledge and experience back to Manitoba. For some, this experience is where a career in research, medicine or biotechnology begins.

may help shape a future in research, medicine, biotechnology or another science-related field.

By supporting Prairie IGEM, you’re investing in student who are putting their knowledge into action and demonstrating what Manitoba’s emerging scientists can accomplish together.

Help Prairie iGEM take Manitoba science to the world stage! Whether you give $10, $100 or $1,000, every contribution brings the team closer to its goal.  Can’t donate right now? Sharing  this campaign page with friends and family, helps too.

Charitable tax receipts are issued at the time of your gift.

Learn more about this year’s project and connect with Prairie iGEM: