Mitacs Globalink Programs

Country eligibility

The program supports research and travel to academic institutions between Canada and most countries. Outbound mobility is possible between Canada and all countries except those classified as “Avoid all travel” or “Avoid non-essential travel” by the Government of Canada.

Project duration and funding

• One project of 12–24 weeks (1 internship unit = $6,000)
• One project of 24–48 weeks or two 12–24 week projects (2 internship units = $12,000)

Eligible expenses include intern travel and accommodation expenses, research-related expenses, and intern stipend. Mitacs’ funds must be spent according to the budget as proposed in the application and according to Tri-Agency use of grant funds guidelines. Applicants are encouraged to seek concurrent funding to cover all expenses.

Program streams

• Allocation stream: Managed by participating Canadian universities with a set number of internship units.
• Quantum stream: Open to projects in quantum science and technology. No unit cap.

Please consult the Mitacs GRA website for more information on the program.

Student eligibility

Applicant eligibility at University of Ottawa for 2025-2026 academic year:

• The applicant must be registered as a full-time senior undergraduate (third or fourth year) or graduate student at the University of Ottawa and remain as such throughout their GRA
• Applications are accepted exclusively from students applying for a research stay going abroad.

In addition to the following criteria:

• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students enrolled at the University of Ottawa are eligible to apply
• Applicants cannot undertake a research project at an institution where they have previously completed a degree or in a country where they hold citizenship
• 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 GRAs per academic lifetime
• For full-list of eligibility requirements, please refer to the Mitacs GRA website.

Supervisor 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

Stage 1: Contact IREX for the intake form

To begin the application process, please contact [email protected] to request the intake form, which assesses basic eligibility. IREX will respond within two to three business days. If approved, you may proceed with the next steps outlined below.

Stage 2: Submit application

Submit your complete application to Mitacs at least 12-16 weeks prior to the project start date.

1. Submit online application

After receiving approval from IREX, complete your application via the Mitacs portal. Be sure to select the Prisca Bustamante as the Mitacs Business Development Representative from the drop-down menu.

2. Upload and share research proposal

Upload your research proposal to the Mitacs portal and email it to the Mitacs Business Development representative for review.

3. Enter personal and supervisor information

Fill in your personal details. Both your home and host supervisors must also enter their information. Each participant will see a separate research security question, which must be answered individually by logging into the portal.

4. Project sign-off

All parties must sign off on the project within the portal.

5. Institutional sign-off

A Mitacs representative will contact IREX to obtain the required institutional signatures.

6. Final submission

Once all signatures are collected, the Mitacs representative will submit the completed application.

7. Evaluation notification

You will receive the outcome of the Mitacs evaluation process via email.

8. Pre-departure requirements

If approved, you must complete mandatory pre-departure training and obtain institutional sign-off on the Mitacs International Pre-Departure Form.

9. Post submission

• Interns cannot travel until Mitacs has issued both an outcome and award letter
• Projects must begin within one year of the outcome letter being issued
• The following deliverables must be submitted to Mitacs no later than one month after the project concludes: Exit surveys from the student and each academic supervisor.

For any questions on GRA or the submission process, please contact [email protected]. 

Funding

GRI funding covers round-trip airfare and airport transfer, housing and food stipends, enrolment fee support (up to $300); emergency health insurance and more.

Student eligibility

• Undergraduates from the following countries and regions are eligible: Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan, Tunisia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States
• Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or combined undergraduate/master’s program at an eligible university abroad
• For full list of eligibility requirements, please consult the Mitacs GRI website.

Supervisor eligibility

University of Ottawa supervisors must:

• Be a regular, full-time professor. This includes APUO professors, affiliated institute scientists and clinician scientists with an academic appointment at the University of Ottawa at the rank of assistant, associate or full professor
• Be able to supervise international students
• Be able to host interns within the stipulated dates of the GRI program: Internships must start between May 1 and July 31 and must be delivered over the course of 12 consecutive weeks.

The application process is done entirely through Mitacs.

Each year, the call for faculty applications runs from April to June, followed by the student application period from August to September. Once all submissions are received, Mitacs conducts a matching process in which professors review and rank applicants before selecting their preferred interns. Mitacs then finalizes and extends offers to successful candidates. Internships begin between May and October.

Important: Successful students are required to register as Visiting Research Students at the University of Ottawa. The registration process must begin at least six weeks prior to the start date in Canada.

For more information on the program, please refer to the Mitacs GRI website.