Hosting an international undergraduate researcher can bring fresh perspectives and energy to your lab or research group. The Globalink Research Internship enables Canadian faculty to host top students from partner countries for focused research placements, without taking on the financial responsibility for the intern’s stipend. The program is delivered by Mitacs and supports 12‑week research internships at eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions.
The Globalink Research Internship: Faculty stream is a national program run by Mitacs. It connects Canadian faculty members with high-achieving international undergraduate students for short-term research projects.
Here’s how it works:
The program supports Canadian research and builds international partnerships.
To host a Globalink Research Intern, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Mitacs checks institutional and disciplinary eligibility during each intake.
One of the main benefits of hosting through Globalink is that Mitacs covers the intern’s core support.
Mitacs usually provides:
As a faculty host, you are responsible for:
The funding is not treated as taxable income for faculty, since it is administered directly by Mitacs.
The application process is faculty-driven and time-sensitive.
Step-by-step process:
Develop a research project
Submit your project proposal
Intern matching
Confirm placement and prepare
Faculty can use resources like GrantHub to compare internship and research funding programs by discipline and institution.
Globalink is intentionally broad. Projects often fall within:
Mitacs reviews projects for academic merit and feasibility instead of strict sector rules.
Proposing a project that’s too complex
A 12-week internship moves quickly. Projects should have a clear, achievable research question.
Missing the intake deadline
Mitacs intakes are fixed. Late submissions are not accepted.
Assuming interns are graduate-level researchers
Globalink interns are undergraduates. Projects should match their experience level.
Underestimating supervision time
Interns benefit most from regular check-ins and structured mentorship.
Q: How long is the Globalink Research Internship?
The internship runs for 12 weeks. Projects must be scoped to fit this timeframe.
Q: Who can host a Globalink Research Intern in Canada?
Faculty members at eligible Canadian post-secondary institutions can participate, subject to Mitacs approval.
Q: Does Globalink provide funding to faculty?
Mitacs covers intern support and program administration. Faculty provide supervision and research infrastructure.
Q: What level of student is placed through Globalink?
Globalink interns are high-achieving international undergraduate students selected by Mitacs.
Q: Is the funding taxable for faculty or departments?
No. Funding is administered by Mitacs and is not treated as taxable income for faculty hosts.
GrantHub tracks active research internship and faculty funding programs across Canada — including Mitacs programs — so you can quickly see which opportunities fit your role and institution.
To host a Globalink Research Intern, take these key actions:
Platforms like GrantHub can help you stay up to date on research internships and related funding opportunities for your field and institution.
See also:
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