Mitacs-JSPS Summer 2025 Program

Sponsor

Mitacs and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)

Program

JSPS Summer Program

For More Information

Mitacs JSPS Summer Program

JSPS website

Description

The Mitacs-JSPS Summer Program, offered in partnership with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), provides opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in Canada to pursue collaborative research in Japan. This program allows graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in Canada to advance their own research while promoting scientific progress in both Japan and Canada.

Eligibility

Participants:

• Cannot undertake a research project at an institution where they have previously completed a degree;
• Must be registered as full-time graduate students or postdoctoral fellows at a Canadian university and remain as such throughout the Mitacs-JSPS program. Postdoctoral fellows may apply if their date of graduation from a PhD program is no more than 5 years prior to the proposed start date of the research project;
• Must be the legal age of majority in Canada (18 years of age or older);
• Must be Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents;
• Must meet travel requirements for their intended destination, including visa and/or immigration requirements and associated documentation;
• Must be new to the JSPS Summer Program;
• Cannot have previously held a Mitacs Globalink Research Award;
• Must be available to conduct the research project during the Mitacs-JSPS Summer Program dates (see Schedule on the JSPS website).

Home supervising professors:

• Must hold a faculty position at a Canadian university; 
• Must be eligible to supervise graduate students and hold Tri-Council funding;
• Must be available to supervise during the Mitacs-JSPS Summer Program dates (see Schedule on the JSPS website).

Host supervising professors:

• Must be a researcher who is employed full-time at a Japanese university or research institution. Eligible host institutions include:
  • Universities and inter-university research institutes;
  • The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)-affiliated institutes that conduct scientific research;
  • Other institutes designated by the Minister of MEXT.
• Must be available to supervise during the Mitacs-JSPS Summer Program dates (see Schedule on the JSPS website);
• A list of eligible host institutions can be found on the JSPS website.

Maximum Project Value

JSPS arranges round-trip airfare and insurance. Mitacs and JSPS provide an allowance for the student or postdoctoral fellow (534,000 yen + $3,000 CAD). A research support allowance of up to 158,500 yen is provided for the host supervisor’s research-related expenses.

Indirect Costs

0%

Project Duration

Projects must take place during the period set by the JSPS. The dates for the 2025 program are mid-June to mid-August 2025. More details can be found on the JSPS website. Note that dates are tentative and may be subject to change. 

How to Apply

Professors at Canadian academic institutions are asked to contact their local Mitacs Advisor to obtain the link to the online application portal.

 How to apply: 

1. Review general and Mitacs international partner-specific eligibility and award guidelines.
2. Before you begin putting together an application, it is the responsibility of the academic supervisor at the Canadian academic institution to obtain support from their institution as confirmed by Office of Research or International Office signature. Canadian academic supervisors can contact their Mitacs Advisor for more information on how to obtain their institution’s support. 
3. If the Canadian academic institution is supportive of this project, the Canadian academic professor and/or student will need to identify a professor in Japan who works in the relevant research area. It is the responsibility of the participants to connect with one another. Mitacs cannot connect interested interns with supervisors. A list of eligible host institutions in Japan can be found on the JSPS website.  
4. Once you have received support from a Canadian Academic Supervisor and a professor in Japan, you may begin your application. Please contact your Mitacs advisor for a link to the application portal.  
5. IMPORTANT: Please note that while filling in the internship budget, you must select ‘Globalink Research Award’, which is the first option. You will see that the total amount is for $6,000 CAD with a maximum amount of $1,500 CAD to be allocated to Research costs. You must fill it out with these values, but please keep in mind that the Mitacs contribution is valued at $3,000 CAD with a maximum amount of $750 which will be allocated to Research Costs. JSPS arranges round-trip airfare and insurance and they provide an allowance for the student or postdoctoral fellow (not included in the budget on the application portal). Please reach out to your local Mitacs advisor if you have any further questions. 
6. Send the research proposal to your Mitacs Advisor for pre-submission review.
7. Once the application is complete, each participant needs to sign off on it on the portal.   
8. The Office of Research Services (ORS) or designated signature will be required on all completed applications. 
9. Mitacs advisor submits the application.   

Travel to the destination is not permitted prior to the approval of the award and Mitacs’s receipt of the International Pre-departure form. Neither Mitacs nor its international partners are responsible for costs incurred before an application is approved. 

What happens next:

1. Mitacs and JSPS will contact participants about their proposal outcomes in April.  
2. If approved, the student or postdoc provides the completed Pre-departure form to Mitacs. 
3. The student or postdoc departs to Japan and begins the research project.  

Please note that awards are offered in partnership with Mitacs’s Canadian academic partners and with Mitacs’s international partners and are subject to available funding.