As the national member of la Fédération Internationale du Sports Universitaire (FISU), the IPS is mandated to facilitate high performance competitive opportunities for student-athletes who are Canadian, between the
ages of 17 and 28, and enrolled full-time in a post secondary institution.

Separate Winter and Summer World University Games (Universiade) are held every two odd years, and offer competitive opportunities in over 20 sports. 27 Single Sport World University Championships are currently offered every two even years, from April to December, and are generally sports not offered at the Universiades.