Mitacs Globalink Research Award

The Mitacs Globalink Research Award (GRA) program provides opportunities for Canadian senior undergraduate and graduate students (Master’s or PhD), and postdoctoral fellows to gain international research experience with universities located in Mitacs partner and eligible countries, and for international senior undergraduate and graduate students (Master’s or PhD) and postdoctoral fellows to gain research experience with eligible Canadian universities.

Western International administers applications for these awards on behalf of Western University.  Applications are evaluated in collaboration with Western Research on the following basis:

  • Fulfilment of Mitacs allocation criteria
    • Yearly allocation quota
    • 50% of Globalink Research Award allocations must be allocated with Mitacs' international partners
    • 50% of Globalink Research Award allocations may be allocated with Mitacs’ eligible countries
  • Alignment with Western’s international strategies and research priority areas within a clearly defined research plan
    • Neuroscience/Brain and Mind
    • Child and Youth Development
    • Global Health Equity and Social Innovation
    • Imaging
    • Wind Engineering and Natural Disaster Management
    • Materials and Biomaterials
    • Environmental Sustainability and Green Energy
    • Planetary Science and Exploration
    • Philosophy of Science
    • Musculoskeletal Health

Application Deadline

Western International’s internal deadlines to accept fully completed applications for the upcoming academic year is as follows:

December 1, 2020 for Summer 2021 and Fall 2021 research experiences

August 1, 2021 for Winter 2022 research experiences

Eligible Partners and Locations


Mitacs’ international partners in the following locations:

(50% of Globalink Research Award allocations must be allocated with Mitacs' international partners)
  • Brazil
  • European Union: France, United Kingdom, Wallonie-Bruxelles (note: research in other European Union countries may be eligible dependent on GRA quota availability)
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Mexico
  • Singapore
  • Taiwan
  • Tunisia
  • Ukraine

Mitacs’ eligible countries:

(50% of Globalink Research Award allocations may be allocated with Mitacs’ eligible countries)
  • Argentina
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • European Union: member countries not listed under the Mitacs' partner list above
  • Iran (inbound students only)
  • Israel
  • Lebanon (inbound students only)
  • Malaysia
  • Morocco
  • New Zealand
  • South Africa
  • Switzerland
  • United States

Application Process

Students applying for the Globalink Research Award program require endorsement by both a Western Supervisor and Foreign Institution Supervisor at an accredited university for the identified research project in order for the application to be considered. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Application Stages

Mitacs GRA Application Process

Western students applying to conduct research abroad

The Globalink Research Award program provides funding in the value of $6,000 CAD to support senior undergraduate and graduate students in Canada to conduct 12-24 week research projects abroad. Student recipients of the Globalink Research Award will develop research skills, cultural awareness, and professional networks, becoming part of Canada's generation of global innovators.

  1. Students who have identified a research project with a Western supervisor and a host supervisor at an accredited university in a Mitacs partner or eligible country, must submit an online application to Western International through Atlas, Western’s international experience portal.
  2. Attach the Supervising Faculty Member Endorsement Form within the online application. Ensure that both the Western supervisor and host supervisor have signed this form before it is submitted.
  3. Refer to the stages of the application process above.
  4. Successful Globalink Research Award recipients will receive further information regarding next steps and travel planning from Western International.

International students applying to conduct research at Western

The Globalink Research Award program provides funding in the value of $6,000 CAD to support international senior undergraduate and graduate students to conduct 12-24 week research projects in Canada. Student recipients of the Globalink Research Award will gain an opportunity to work with Western supervisors, develop additional exposure to the Canadian research and innovation landscape, and build research experience in Canada.

Visiting students would follow the Visiting Research Only application process either at the undergraduate or graduate level. The main stipulation is that students would identify a supervising faculty member at Western and they would not be eligible to enroll in courses for credit.

  1. Students who have identified a research project with a supervisor at their home accredited university in a Mitacs eligible country and a Western supervisor must submit the Supervising Faculty Member Endorsement Form to Fan Liu, International Learning Coordinator (goabroad@uwo.ca). Ensure that both the Western supervisor and Foreign Institution supervisor have signed this form before it is submitted.
  2. Refer to the stages of the application process above.
  3. Successful Globalink Research Award recipients will receive further information regarding next steps and travel planning from Western International.

Notice Regarding Research Start and End Dates

It is important to that expected research start and end dates are fully discussed and agreed to by students, the Western supervisor and the foreign institution supervisor. These dates must be confirmed prior to completing Western's internal application form as this information is used to confirm eligibility for the respective award application and to prepare logistical resources including student registration, health insurance, immigration documentation and reporting requirements.

Questions

Please contact Fan Liu, International Learning Coordinator (goabroad@uwo.ca) with any questions