How the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship Works for Faculty

How the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship Works for Faculty

Bringing international research students into your group can boost your lab’s output without adding long-term costs. The Mitacs Globalink Research Internship connects Canadian professors with top undergraduate students from partner countries for short-term research projects. Each internship lasts 12 weeks and is fully supported by Mitacs, making it a practical way to bring international students into your research group.

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Who Can Participate and What to Expect

The Globalink Research Internship: Faculty stream is for professors at eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions who want to host international undergraduate students. As a faculty host, you define a research project, supervise the intern, and welcome them into your research group.

Faculty Eligibility

You can take part if:

• You are a faculty member at an eligible Canadian university or college
• You can supervise an undergraduate-level research project for 12 weeks
• Your institution agrees to host the intern on campus or in approved research spaces

Mitacs finds and matches students for you, so you do not need to search for students yourself.

What the Internship Looks Like

For faculty, the program is simple:

• Internship length: 12 weeks, usually during the summer
• Intern level: Senior undergraduate students from Mitacs partner countries
• Research scope: Defined by you and submitted as a project proposal
• Supervision: Provided by the host professor or a member of the research team

Projects can be in science, engineering, social studies, or other fields, as long as they follow Mitacs’ rules.

Funding and Costs

A main benefit of the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship is that Mitacs covers the main costs for the intern:

• Travel to and from Canada
• Housing and living allowance
• Health insurance and basic support services

Faculty and institutions do not get direct cash funding. The support goes to the intern and is not treated as taxable income for professors or institutions¹.

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The Faculty Application and Matching Process

The process is led by faculty but coordinated by Mitacs.

Step 1: Submit a Project Proposal

Faculty submit short research project descriptions through the Mitacs portal during set intake periods. Good proposals clearly outline:

• Research goals suitable for an undergraduate
• Skills the intern will develop
• Expected results over the 12-week period

Step 2: Student Matching

Mitacs uses its international network to match approved projects with high-performing undergraduate students from eligible schools abroad. You may have some input during matching, but Mitacs handles most of the screening.

Step 3: Host and Supervise

Once matched, you host the intern at your institution, provide academic supervision, and make sure they have what they need to finish the project.

Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter related faculty funding programs by province and research area in seconds.

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Benefits for Faculty

Faculty members use Globalink for several reasons:

• Test new research ideas without large financial risk
• Build long-term international research partnerships
• Create a talent pipeline into future Mitacs programs like Accelerate or Elevate
• Increase lab productivity during busy research periods

Many professors see Globalink interns as a first step toward longer collaborations or future graduate student recruitment.

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Tips for Successful Participation

1. Choose the right project scope
   Make sure your project is suitable for a senior undergraduate. Avoid topics that require graduate-level independence.

2. Pay attention to intake windows
   Mitacs only accepts proposals during specific times. Check deadlines early to avoid missing out.

3. Plan for regular supervision
   Even strong interns need guidance. Schedule regular meetings to support their progress.

4. Budget accurately
   Remember, Globalink provides talent support, not direct research funding. Your budget should reflect this.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long is the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship for faculty?
The internship runs for 12 weeks, most often during the summer research period. Exact dates are set by Mitacs each year.

Q: Do faculty receive funding directly through Globalink?
No. Mitacs covers intern travel, housing, and living costs. Faculty receive research support through the intern’s work, not direct funding.

Q: What disciplines are eligible for Globalink projects?
Projects can be in science, engineering, social studies, or other fields, as long as they follow Mitacs’ rules.

Q: Who applies to Mitacs — the student or the professor?
Faculty members submit project proposals. Students apply separately through Mitacs and are matched to approved projects.

Q: Is the Globalink support taxable for faculty or institutions?
No. The financial support is provided to the intern by Mitacs and is not taxable for faculty or institutions.

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GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and research support programs across Canada—including faculty-focused Mitacs opportunities—so you can quickly see what matches your institution and research goals.

See also:

• How Students and Early-Career Researchers Find Health and Research Funding in Canada
• How to Find R&D Partners Using Canada’s Research Facilities Navigator
• How to Use College Research Facilities to Improve Business Processes

Next Steps

If you are planning future research cycles, the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship for faculty members is a practical way to add research capacity and explore new collaborations. Review upcoming intake dates and related programs early to make sure your projects fit with Mitacs timelines and your institution’s priorities.

Footnotes

1. See Mitacs Globalink Faculty FAQ for details. ↩