Concordia-Mitacs inbound Globalink Research Award (GRA)
Under the joint supervision of a home and host professor, senior undergraduate students, graduate students, as well as postdoctoral fellows in Mitacs eligible countries, can apply for a $6,000 research award to conduct a short co-supervised research project at Concordia and gain valuable international research experience
2024 call for proposals: September 12 - November 12, 2024
2025 call information coming soon.
Program objectives
- Develop or strengthen strategic international research partnerships.
- Support Concordia’s strategic directions to “Double our Research” and “Embrace the World.”
- Build institutional bridges between Concordia University and key international institutions in Mitacs eligible countries.
- Help students to gain international research experience, fostering cultural awareness, and develop their international networks.
- Enrich Concordia's research activities and drive innovation by bringing different perspectives and ideas.
New country eligibility
Mitacs has expanded the list of eligible countries to participate in the GRA program. This is an opportunity to build on the university’s research strengths and forge new global research partnerships with academic institutions in countries with growing strategic importance for Concordia University and Canada. Namely, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kenya and Morocco.
Application process
Below are the Mitacs Globalink Research Award (GRA) eligibility requirements and application process.
To participate in this competition candidates will need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Must be registered as full-time senior undergraduate, graduate student, or postdoctoral fellow at an eligible international institution located in Mitacs eligible countries and remain as such throughout their Globalink Research Award.
- Undergraduate applicants must have completed their second year of studies prior to the start of their internship.
- Postdoctoral fellows may apply if their date of graduation from a Ph.D. 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.
- Must be the legal age of majority in Canada (18 years of age or older).
- Must meet travel requirements for Canada, including visa and/or immigration requirements and associated documentation.
Duration
- 12-24 weeks. 25% of your research project may be completed at your home institution, upon Mitacs approval.
- Projects must start no later than 12 months from the date of approval.
Value
- Six thousand Canadian dollars ($6,000 CAD) for a period of 12 to 24 weeks.
- Approved recipients will receive funds in stipend.
- Funding is based on a project duration of 12 weeks, though projects can be up to 24 weeks (funding will remain the same, $6,000 CAD, independently of the project's duration).
- Host and Home supervisors are not eligible to receive funding under this competition. Funding must be used to support Mitacs GRA interns.
Step 1 Find a home and host supervisor
- Students will need to find a home academic supervisor as well as one at Concordia.
- The best place to start is with a professor at your institution, whether your supervisor or another professor in your department or faculty. Professors have broad international networks.
- If you are unfamiliar with Concordia, the following list of academic units and departments at Concordia is a good starting point for identifying Concordia professors whose fields of expertise correspond to yours.
Supervising professors' eligibility
- Must hold a faculty position at an eligible university.
- Must be eligible to supervise graduate students.
Step 2 Complete your application on the Mitacs application portal
- Apply on the Mitacs Globalink Research Award Application Portal
- Important to note:
- Download a copy of your completed online Mitacs application for internal submission to Concordia International.
- For internal submission to Concordia interns must upload the completed Mitacs application and register on the Concordia International Mobility portal. The portal regroups all the application documents for mobility programs. Click on the application link below.
- Applications must be submitted internally on the Concordia International website for signature by Concordia International and the Office of Research.
Step 3 Prepare for your departure
- The Student Code of Conduct and Ethics and International Pre-departure forms must be completed by the intern after the award is approved.
- Please note that GRA interns are responsible to obtain any travel documents required by their host country (including work permits and visas).
- For inbound students, the host supervisors at Concordia must request the Academic Visitor status for their visiting interns after the Mitacs GRA application is approved. For more information see How to come to Concordia as an academic visitor.
We recommend reading the Mitacs GRA Program Guide to make sure all the required information is included in your application.
Complete your application on the Mitacs Globalink Research Award application portal.
- The application must be submitted internally on the Concordia International website for signature by Concordia International and the Office of Research.
- The signed application will be submitted by the Concordia International Office to ConRAD and to Mitacs.
- Mitacs will review and assess individual applications based on 1) the quality of the research proposal, 2) quality of the intern supervision and training opportunity, 3) benefits to industry, society and Canada.
- Mitacs sends the review results to indicate if the project will be funded by email (outcome letters are typically issued 10-12 weeks after application submission).
- Participate in your home university's pre-departure session. Contact your home university's international office to obtain your universities’ signature for the Mitacs Pre-departure form.
- Send your Pre-departure and Code of Conduct and Ethics forms to Mitacs directly.
- Obtain appropriate travel documents (i.e. passport, visa, work permit). Provide the documentation to your Concordia academic supervisor for Academic Visitor status at Concordia.
- Obtain appropriate travel/health insurance.
- Once you arrive in Canada, make sure you have all documents needed to open a Canadian bank account. You will need to provide your bank account information to Concordia International on the mobility portal for the payment of the award.
- Arrange for housing.
**It is important to inform Mitacs and Concordia International of any changes affecting your research project, including change of dates, major changes to the project, eligibility of both supervisor and/or intern, etc.
| Action | Responsible office/person | Deadline |
| GRA application submission on the Mitacs online application portal. | Applicants prepare their application on the Mitacs online application portal. | 2025 deadline to be announced. |
| GRA application submission to Concordia for signature | Interns submit the completed application on the Concordia International website for signature. Signed applications are submitted on ConRad and to Mitacs by Concordia International |
2025 deadline to be announced. |
| GRA application review results | Mitacs | Winter |
| Student Code of Conduct and Ethics and International Pre-departure form submission | Intern | 2 weeks after receiving Mitacs award letter. |
| Request Academic Visitor Status | Concordia faculty member | Upon receiving Mitacs Approval letter. |
Travel *Interns are responsible to obtain their visa and/or other travel documents. * Travel is not permitted prior to the approval of the award. *Projects must begin no later than 12 months from the date the letter of award is received. |
Intern | Once visa/work permit have been confirmed and all documents have been submitted to Mitacs. Once you have received the Academic Visitor status at Concordia. Within 12 months after receiving the Mitacs award letter. |
| Research project | All | 12 to 24 weeks * 25% of your 12-24 week-long research project may be completed at your home institution upon Mitacs approval. |
| Submit a final report. | Intern | After project completion. |
