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Mitacs Global Link Research Award 

Sponsor/agency: Mitacs

Program: Global Link Research Award. See: Expand Your Research Globally - Mitacs Globalink Research Award

Description 

The Global Link Research Award supports international research collaborations between Canada and select partner organizations, eligible countries and regions. Under the joint supervision of a home and host professor, successful senior undergraduate students, graduate students, as well as postdoctoral fellows will receive up to $6,000 to conduct a 12- to 24-week research project in the other country*. All GRA projects must be submitted with a Mitacs International Partner.

*Note: The award amount and project duration may vary for special GRA calls.

Program Summary 

Deadlines: Applications are accepted throughout the year. Application reviews take approximately 6 to 8 weeks.*

*Please note that there is an internship unit allocation per fiscal year for this program. For Ontario Tech University, there is a 15 internship unit allocation for the current fiscal year 2025-26 (ending March 31, 2026). 

Value:

  • Mitacs will fund up to $6,000 per award. Outbound interns will receive an award of up to $6,000*. Inbound interns will receive up to $6,000 (CAD) for cost reimbursement only (eg. travel and accommodation). Students must submit expenses (including receipts) for reimbursement. Up to $1500 of the $6000 award can be allotted for research expenses.
  • *In some cases, additional funds may be provided by the international partner.  

Duration: 12-24 weeks

How to Apply:

  1. Notify your Research Partnerships Officer and the Mitacs Business Development Officer of your intent to apply. Please see below for Research Partnership Officer Faculty Portfolios to determine your primary Ontario Tech contact for Mitacs projects.   
  2. You can apply directly through the Mitacs Registration and Application Portal (RAP), available here.
    1. Please note a proposal template will be provided to you through RAP. You can also find a template for review prior to submission under ‘How to Apply’ here.
  3. Submit application and Submit the Research Grants Authorization (RGA) Form signed by your Dean to the relevant Research Partnerships Officer. 

If the GRA is awarded, a Research Partnerships Officer can facilitate the development of a research agreement and provide any required support throughout the life of the project.

Contact: Mitacs applications are handled by our Research Partnerships Officers. 

Partnerships Officer contact information:

Mitacs program contact: Laura Yu

Program information:

You can learn more about the Mitacs Global Link Internship here.

Eligibility 

In order to be eligible for hosting interns as part of the Globalink Research Award program, you must: 

Academic Supervisor

  • Must be eligible to hold Tri-Agency funding
  • Must be eligible to supervise graduate students 

Intern

  • Ontario Tech senior undergraduates, graduate students and PDFs are invited to apply. Undergraduate applicants completing their first post-secondary degree must have completed their second year of studies prior to departure. Applicants must find a supervisor at their intended host institution and work closely with their Ontario Tech supervisor on the application form.

International Applicants:

  • Senior undergraduates, graduate students or PDFs from a Mitacs international partner are welcome to apply.  Applicants must first find a faculty member at Ontario Tech interested in hosting them during their research visit. If successful, GRA award recipients must follow procedures for visiting scholars.

Additional Eligibility requirements for students and PDFs

  • Must be registered as full-time senior undergraduates, graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows at an eligible Canadian institution or eligible international institution and remain as such throughout their Globalink Research Award.
  • Postdoctoral fellows may apply if their date of graduation from a PhD program is no more than five years prior to the proposed start date of the research project and they have postdoctoral status at an eligible institution. 
  • Cannot undertake a research project at an institution where they have previously completed a degree
  • Cannot undertake a research project in a country where they hold citizenship.
  • Permanent residents or citizens of Canada who are enrolled in an eligible country other than Canada and who wish to do a project in Canada are eligible to apply. 
  • Permanent residents or citizens of Canada who are enrolled in a Canadian institution and who hold citizenship in an eligible country may apply to do a project there
    • Must be the legal age of majority in Canada (18 years of age or older).
  • Must meet travel requirements for their intended destination, including visa and/or immigration requirements and associated documentation. 
  • Cannot hold more than two Globalink Research Award or Mitacs-JSPS Summer Program Award per academic lifetime.

Supervisor:

  • Must hold a faculty position at an eligible university
  • Must be eligible to supervise graduate students
  • Supervisors at Canadian institutions: Must be eligible to hold Tri-Agency funding

Country Eligibility

The program supports research and travel to academic institutions between Canada and most countries (allocation and quantum stream). Outbound mobility is possible between Canada and all countries except those classified as “Avoid all travel” or “Avoid non-essential travel” by the  Government of Canada. For inbound mobility, all countries are eligible except for Russia and North Korea.

Please note that this list is subject to change at any time and participants are required to check the status at the time of application and prior to travel. Additionally, participants must adhere to any regional “Avoid all travel” or “Avoid non-essential” travel advisories.

Subject Matter

Supervisors from any academic discipline can apply to supervise an intern. 

Resources