Host an Intern

The call for faculty applications is now closed

Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) is no longer accepting faculty project submissions for Summer 2025. 

Visit the Mitacs website for complete information and application details.

Faculty eligibility criteria 

In order to be eligible for hosting interns as part of the Globalink Research Internship program, you must: 

  1. Have one of the following statuses at an eligible institution: Full professor, Associate professor, Assistant professor, Adjunct professor, Emeritus professor
  2. Be able to supervise international students at your institution
  3. 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.

Please be aware that at Mitacs' discretion, international students may apply for a shortened research internship duration of 10 weeks. UAI encourages research interns to participate at University of Alberta for a minimum of 11 weeks. No extensions beyond 12 weeks are possible for this program.

Matching process and evaluation criteria

  • Project proposals are submitted to Mitacs, reviewed, and upon acceptance, entered into an online database.
  • At the time of application, students must select a minimum of three and a maximum of seven research projects from the online database.
  • The Mitacs Research team scores each student application based on criteria including, but not limited to, CGPA, research experience, reference letter, funding constraints, etc. and ranks students based on their score.
  • A shortlist of students is generated for each project based on their selection and their score.
  • Faculty are invited to review shortlisted student applications and to contact students to conduct interviews. Faculty and students review and rank one another for a possible match.
  • Mitacs collects the feedback from faculty and students and determines suitable matches based on the student’s and professor’s rankings and other factors, including the student’s score.

Roles and responsibilities of the supervisor

Host professors must ensure the following is in place for their Globalink research intern prior to the start of the internship (as required):

  • Research supervision
  • Email and internet access (a University of Alberta email address is established by staff at UAI and provided to the research intern shortly before their arrival)
  • Lab and/or office space
  • Software or hardware
  • Any safety or orientation information required for the project

Globalink research interns are expected to work 40 hours per week on their research project.

During the internship, Globalink Research interns may be invited to attend industry and/or government relations events, professional skills training courses, or conferences. Every attempt will be made to schedule these events outside of working hours, and interns should obtain their supervisor’s approval should they have to miss work to participate. 

All parties involved with the Mitacs Globalink program must comply with the Canadian host university’s policies regarding the ethical conduct of research and scholarly activities. Any issues or disputes around research or academic misconduct will be subject to the host university’s processes following their institutional policies. 

Logistics and student funding

Mitacs, in partnership with its partners, oversees and provides funding to successful students for the following:

  • Flight and student visa reimbursement
  • Accommodation and daily stipend
  • Medical insurance for the duration of the internship
  • Coordination with host institutions’ administrative offices to ensure a smooth arrival and registration process
  • Contributes to University of Alberta Program Assistants (student staff members) who are designated to act as Mentors for their visit and provide social support
  • Professional skills courses, offered online via the EDGE portal
  • Opportunities such as conferences, workshops, industry expos and tours, as well as other networking events 

University of Alberta International support

University of Alberta International (UAI) provides the following services:

  • Pre-departure information
    • transportation information
    • local housing/accommodation options
    • information about our institution
    • where accessible health care services are located on- and off-campus
    • facilitation of 1:1 immigration advice where necessary
    • first steps for campus registration after arrival
    • upcoming events, social activities, and weekend trips offered by University of Alberta International Program Assistants
  • Mandatory in-person campus check-in after arrival at the International Service Centre in Telus Centre to facilitate on-campus registration
  • A 3-hour Welcome Session with other new research interns, which includes a guided campus tour
  • Ongoing advising while at the University of Alberta as an academic visitor
  • Professional development seminars
  • Academic networking opportunities
  • An opportunity to present their research during a poster symposium
  • Recognition of their contributions with a certificate of participation
  • Each intern also has the option to participate in free or low-cost weekly social events and cultural activities, as well as UAI-guided weekend trips to the Rocky Mountains.