Understanding the Mitacs Globalink Research Award Program

The Mitacs Globalink Research Award (GRA) program offers a unique opportunity for students and postdoctoral fellows to engage in international research collaborations. This program aims to foster innovation and strengthen global research ties by supporting mobility between Canada and various eligible countries. Whether you are a senior undergraduate, a graduate student, or a postdoctoral fellow, the GRA program can help you expand your research horizons and gain valuable international experience.

What is the Mitacs Globalink Research Award Program?

The Mitacs Globalink Research Award (GRA) program is designed to support research partnerships between Canadian institutions and universities in eligible countries. It facilitates international mobility for interns, allowing them to conduct research projects under the joint supervision of professors from both their home and host institutions. The program typically supports internships lasting between 12 to 24 weeks, with the possibility of undertaking one or two such periods. This initiative is a key component of Mitacs’s efforts to build and reinforce international research collaborations.

Program Streams

The GRA program is offered through two distinct streams, each with its own application process and focus:

Allocation Stream

Under this stream, participating Canadian universities receive a predetermined number of internship units annually. Each university manages its allocation, and the specific rules and conditions may differ. It is advisable for potential applicants to connect with their local Mitacs advisor before developing a project proposal to understand the specific requirements and ensure their project aligns with the available funding.

Quantum Stream

This stream is open to all Canadian universities and specifically targets projects within the quantum sector. This includes, but is not limited to, quantum computation (hardware, algorithms, and software), quantum communication, networks, cryptography, and quantum metrology, sensing, imaging, and materials. Unlike the allocation stream, there is no limit on the number of projects a Canadian university can submit under the Quantum stream, and these projects do not count against the university’s annual allocation.

Funding Details

Successful applicants to the Mitacs Globalink Research Award program will receive financial support for their research internships. The funding is structured based on the duration and number of internships undertaken:

• One Internship Unit (IU): This covers a single research project lasting between 12 to 24 weeks in the host country. The intern receives a $6,000 research award for this unit.
• Two Internship Units (IUs): This can support either one longer research project spanning 24 to 48 weeks or two separate projects, each lasting 12 to 24 weeks. The intern receives a $12,000 research award for two internship units.

This funding is intended to help cover living expenses, travel, and other costs associated with conducting research abroad.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Mitacs Globalink Research Award program, both the intern and their supervisor must meet specific criteria.

Intern Eligibility

• Academic Standing: Applicants must be registered as full-time senior undergraduates, graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows at an eligible Canadian or international institution. This status must be maintained throughout the duration of the award.
• Postdoctoral Fellows: Postdoctoral fellows can apply if they completed their PhD program no more than five years before the proposed start date of the research project and hold postdoctoral status at an eligible institution.
• Previous Research: Interns cannot conduct a research project at an institution where they have previously earned a degree.
• Citizenship Restrictions: The research project cannot be undertaken in a country where the intern holds citizenship.
• Canadian Citizens/Permanent Residents: Canadian citizens or permanent residents enrolled in an eligible country outside Canada can apply for a project in Canada. Similarly, those enrolled in a Canadian institution who hold citizenship in an eligible country may apply for a project in that country.
• Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old, the legal age of majority in Canada.
• Travel Documents: Interns must meet all travel requirements for their intended destination, including obtaining necessary visas and immigration documents.
• Award Limits: An individual cannot hold more than two Globalink Research Awards or Mitacs-JSPS Summer Program Awards in their academic lifetime. Interns also cannot participate in more than one Mitacs internship concurrently.

Supervisor Eligibility

• Faculty Position: Supervisors must hold a faculty position at an eligible university.
• Supervision Experience: They must be qualified to supervise graduate students.
• Canadian Supervisors: Supervisors at Canadian institutions must be eligible to receive Tri-Agency funding.

Application Process

The application process for the Mitacs Globalink Research Award can vary depending on the Canadian university and its specific internship unit allocation. It is highly recommended that applicants first consult with their local Mitacs Advisor. This consultation helps confirm if the proposed project aligns with the funding requirements of their institution and allows them to request the correct link to the GRA Application Portal. Awards are granted in partnership with Mitacs’s academic partners and are contingent upon available funding. Applicants are generally advised to submit their applications at least 16 weeks before their planned project start date.

For further details and to access the program information, interested individuals can visit the official Mitacs Globalink Research Award page.

Conclusion

The Mitacs Globalink Research Award program presents a valuable pathway for students and postdoctoral fellows to engage in meaningful international research. By offering support for collaborative projects across different countries, the GRA program not only benefits the individual researchers but also contributes to the advancement of global scientific knowledge and strengthens academic ties. Understanding the program streams, funding, and eligibility criteria is the first step toward seizing this exciting opportunity to grow your research potential.