Mitacs Globalink Research Award (GRA) - outbound

Program objectives

• Develop or strengthen strategic international research partnerships. 
• Support Concordia’s strategic directions to “Double our Research” and “Embrace the World”. 
• Help students gain international research experience.

New country eligibility

Mitacs has expanded the countries eligible 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. 

Mitacs now supports collaboration between Canada and all countries except those classified as “Avoid all travel” or “Avoid non-essential travel” by the Government of Canada. 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.

Eligibility requirements

To apply, applicants must meet the Mitacs eligibility requirements:

• Must be registered as a full-time senior undergraduate, graduate student or postdoctoral fellow throughout their internship.
• 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 Concordia. 
• 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 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
• Interns may not participate in more than one Mitacs internship at the same time.

Funding

• $6,000 research award to conduct one 12- to 24-week research project in the other country.
  
• $12,000 research award to conduct one 24- to 48-week research project in the other country (this is two internship units when applying).  
• 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 the award is approved.

How to apply

Step 1 Find a home and host academic supervisor for your research project

• You must secure both a home (Concordia) academic supervisor and a host university supervisor for your research project.
• Start by asking your Concordia supervisor or other professors in your department. They often have international networks and colleagues in your country of interest. 
• You can also research universities directly and contact professors whose work aligns with your research interests.
• Take advantage of Concordia University’s extended global network of partner institutions to find and approach potential supervisors.

Supervising professors' eligibility

• 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.  

Step 2 Complete your application on the Mitacs application portal

• Apply on the Mitacs Globalink Research Award Application Portal 
• Download a copy of your completed online application before submitting; you will need this for Concordia’s internal approval process.
  • Please ensure that the sign off section (7) is complete reading "completed sign-off" for the research intern and Academic supervisors (home and host).  
  • Please ensure that the budget section (4) is complete with all funds allocated under the "stipend total" line.   

Step 3 Submit your application to Concordia for signature

• Register on the Concordia mobility portal and upload your completed Mitacs application. 
• Internal submission is required so that Concordia International and the Office of Research can review and sign your application. 
• Concordia International will submit the fully signed application to Mitacs for their research review.

Application review 

• The application must be submitted internally on the Concordia International website for signature by Concordia International and the Office of Research. 
• Concordia receives a limited number of awards from Mitacs per year. If total applications exceed this allocation, an internal selection review will be conducted.
• The signed application will be submitted by Concordia International to ConRAD and to Mitacs. 

Mitacs evaluates applications based on:

1. quality of the research proposal
2. level of supervision and mentorship committed by the host supervisor
3. relevance to society
4. expected benefit to Canada.

Mitacs sends the review results by email (outcome letters are typically issued 10-12 weeks after application submission).