Mitacs Globalink Research Award (GRA) Program

Sponsor

Mitacs

Program

Globalink Research Award (GRA) - Standard/Non-Thematic

For More Information

For full program details, please visit the Mitacs GRA program web-page

For more information on research security, please visit the websites below:

• Mitacs Research Security
• UofG Safeguarding Research
  • U of G Guide to Mitacs Research Security Requirements

Description

The Mitacs Globalink Research Award (GRA) supports research collaborations between Canada and select partner organizations and 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 a $6,000 research award to conduct a 12 to 24 week research project in the other country. Awards are offered in partnership with Mitacs’ Canadian academic partners (and, in some cases, with Mitacs’ international partners) and are subject to available funding.  

Program Overview

1. Applicants (student or postdoctoral fellow, home and host supervisors) submit application to partner organization or to Mitacs.
2. Within 12 weeks of submission, Mitacs will contact participants about the outcome of the application. Travel must take place within a year from the date of the outcome.
3. The intern provides the completed Mitacs Code of Conduct and Ethics and International Pre-Departure forms.
4. Mitacs forwards the Globalink Research Award funds to the Canadian institution. In some cases, interns may receive a portion of the funds from Mitacs’s partner organization. 
5. The intern departs to the destination and begins the research project.
6. Upon project completion, the intern submits a final report that summarizes the project.
7. All participants (student or postdoctoral fellow, home and host supervisors) submit a final survey. 

Projects with a designated Mitacs International Partner

Mitacs works with international partners to deliver the Globalink Research Award in specific countries and regions. Please refer to the Mitacs GRA program web-page for partner-specific information.

Projects without a designated Mitacs International Partner

The program supports travel and research between Canada and several countries and regions. Please visit the Mitacs GRA program web-page for a list of other eligible countries and regions. Projects with a partner not included in the designated Mitacs International Partner list must be co-funded by the Canadian university. If co-funding is required, the University of Guelph supervisor must contribute $2000 towards the Globalink Research Award. The University has a given allocation for non-partner projects per fiscal year, which is why pre-approval outlined below may be required.

Eligibility

Student and postdoctoral fellows

• 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.
• Undergraduate applicants completing their first post-secondary degree must have completed their second year of studies prior to departure. All applicants enrolled in an undergraduate degree must have maintained a B average in their two most recent semesters prior to application. This average can be cumulative over the two semesters.
• 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. 
  • Applicants who hold citizenship of Canada and another eligible country may apply to do a project in either country.
• 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 one Globalink Research Award per academic lifetime. 
• Cannot have previously held a Mitacs-JSPS Summer Program award. 

Supervising professors

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

Funding Availability

$6,000 per award. See Special Notes regarding co-funding requirements.

Indirect Costs

0%.

Project Duration

12 to 24 weeks.

Special Notes

Co-Funding Requirements and College Pre-Approval

Projects with a Mitacs international partner do not require co-funding from the Canadian university. However, projects without a Mitacs international partner must be co-funded by the Canadian university. If co-funding is required, the University of Guelph supervisor must contribute $2000 towards the Globalink Research Award. The University has a given allocation of non-partner projects per fiscal year, which is why pre-approval outlined below may be required.

To determine if your project requires co-funding, please contact Emily Gordon at Mitacs (egordon@mitacs.ca). If co-funding is required, Emily will engage your College Research Manager to obtain pre-approval. Once pre-approval is obtained, the College will work with Office of Research Services to verify that the co-funding the applicant is proposing to use is available and eligible for leveraging. Please note, co-funding must be from an unrestricted source (e.g. GPR). Applicants must obtain pre-approval and confirmation of eligibility of co-funding before submitting their complete application to the Office of Research Services.

COVID-19 Considerations & International Travel

Please note that research activities carried out in the context of COVID-19 need to adhere to the University of Guelph COVID-19 research principles, policies, guidelines and processes as they may be updated from time to time and communicated on the Office of Research web-page.

International research-related travel is suspended for all students (undergraduate and graduates) as current government travel advisories restrict student travel as per the University’s Safe Travel Policy. In exceptional circumstances, for graduate students conducting essential research abroad, an exemption for destinations identified as high-risk by the government travel advisories may be made through an assessment by the Centre for International Programs (CIP) that will include safety and security considerations including the provision of alternative insurance. As a reminder, any student thinking of international travel of any kind is required to contact the Centre for International Programs.  If making travel plans, please refer to the University’s guidance on travel during COVID-19.

Mitacs Award Guidelines

All parties involved with the Mitacs Globalink program must comply with Mitacs’s Research Ethics Policy and other research integrity policies at the home and host institutions. All parties involved with Mitacs programs should review the following policy statement and guidelines provided by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and the Government of Canada: 

• ISED “Policy Statement on Research Security and COVID-19” 
• Government of Canada “Safeguarding Your Research” Portal

Intern responsibilities: 

• Make all necessary preparations for travel abroad with the appropriate institution office(s) 
• Obtain appropriate visa, work permit or other immigration documentation required for the destination 
• Attend any mandatory sessions as required by the home institution 
• Work full-time on the research project (at least 75% abroad, and up to 25% at the home institution) 
• Submit a final report and exit survey to Mitacs at the end of the project 

Home supervisor responsibilities: 

• Adhere to institutional policies for research abroad 
• Provide ongoing direction and research support to the participant prior to and during the research project 
• Submit an exit survey and sign the final report prepared by the participant 

Host supervisor responsibilities: 

• Adhere to institutional policies for visiting researchers 
• Provide ongoing direction and research support to the intern prior to and during the research project 
• Advise the intern on appropriate travel arrangements and accommodation 
• Provide the intern with any necessary documentation to support the visa application 
• Ensure the intern has appropriate lab and/or office space and resources during the research project 
• Submit an exit survey and sign the final report prepared by the intern 

Additional responsibilities of the Canadian institution and supervisor: 

In addition to the above, the Canadian supervisors and institutions – whether home or host – have additional responsibilities, specifically: 

• Support interns with the necessary preparations for travel abroad (institutional travel policy, immigration application support)  
• Assume fiduciary responsibility for the Mitacs grant  

How to Apply

Please note the application process may vary depending on the international partner. Please check with Emily Gordon (egordon@mitacs.ca) to determine if your project fits the funding requirements for your institution or an international partner and to request an application package. 

Awards are offered in partnership with Mitacs’ academic partners (and in some cases with Mitacs’ international partners) and are subject to available funding. 

Application process 

1. Review all eligibility and award guidelines from Mitacs, the international partner, and the Canadian institution.
2. Participants connect with one another to discuss project interest. Please note that Mitacs cannot connect interested applicants. 
3. Academic supervisors at Canadian institutions obtain endorsement from the Canadian institution before preparing the application. Please contact Emily Gordon (egordon@mitacs.ca) for more information on what kind of endorsement is required for your project.  
   • Projects that are being proposed with a Mitacs international partner do not require co-funding from the Canadian university. The Vice President Research (VPR) or designate signature is not required.
   • Projects that are being proposed without a Mitacs international partner must be co-funded by the Canadian institution that must contribute $2000 towards the Globalink Research Award. The Vice President Research (VPR) or designate signature is required.
   • The Office of Research Services (ORS) or designate signature will be required on all completed applications.
   • Applicants should allow 1-3 weeks to obtain the appropriate signatures. 
4. Complete the application package which can be obtained by contacting Emily Gordon (egordon@mitacs.ca).
5. Submit your complete application package: 
   • For projects conducted outside of Canada, academic supervisors at Canadian institutions must submit the complete application package by email to Emily Gordon (egordon@mitacs.ca).
   • For projects conducted in Canada, participants must submit the complete application directly to the international partner organization.