General Call for Project Proposals

The Mitacs GRA General Call that was anticipated to be launched this January has been put on hold until further notice and we are not accepting applications at this time. For any questions, please contact research_mobility@sfu.ca.

Contents

• Overview (Description, Eligibility, Requirements)
• Key Dates for Application Process

This SFU-Mitacs Globalink Research Award - General call invites proposals that demonstrate alignment with SFU's research priorities as articulated in the SFU Research Strategic Plan. The Award aims to support emerging and developing research collaborations between SFU and international collaborators through the mobility of graduate students (Masters & PhD) and postdoctoral fellows. Priority is given to project proposals that demonstrate potential to lead to long-term and multifaceted research collaborations that advance SFU's strategic interests. Calls are typically launched in the Summer, Fall and Spring of each year.

*If your proposal is eligible under a Mitacs International Partner Call, the $2000 contribution funds may not be required. Please contact the Coordinator, International Research Moibility at research_mobility@sfu.ca for more information. 

**Immigration document requirement varies depending on the student’s citizenship and the length of the research stay. Immigration document processing time varies depending on where the applicant is applying from. Check Work Permit processing submitted in your country:  https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html

***Mitacs allows placements to start up within 12 months of issuing the application results.

• Alignment with SFU’s research priorities as articulated in the 2016-2022 SFU Research Strategic Plan. 
• Potential to support strategic and multifaceted research collaborations. To this end, proposals must clearly articulate:
  • Objectives, significance, research plan and proposed interaction with the student. 
  • Likelihood of advancing SFU’s international collaboration and research priorities, including but not limited to:
    • establishment and/or continuation of a long-term research network;
    • cross-institutional publications in highly ranked research outlets; and
    • joint applications to other international collaboration funding tools with the international partner.
  • Deliverables, in addition to the final report required by Mitacs.
• Benefits to Canada, such as:
  • Missing skills, techniques or expertise that will be brought back or brought in;
  • Original data that will be collected (by accessing specific sites or populations);
  • Innovative ways of thinking that will provide another perspective to solve Canada’s challenges; and
  • Enhance impact of Canadian science.

2. Priority is given to proposals that demonstrate potential to lead to long-term and multifaceted research collaborations that advance the University’s strategic interests. 

3. Participating students must already be affiliated with the research teams at SFU or the collaborating partner(s) to be eligible. 

4. SFU supervisor, international collaborator(s) and participating student(s) or postdoctoral fellow(s) must meet the Mitacs eligibility requirements. Candidates must be registered as full-time senior undergraduates, graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows at an eligible Canadian institution or eligible international institution and remain as such throughout their Globalink Research Award. Both home and host supervisor must hold a faculty position at an eligible University.

Key Dates for Application Process 

Step 1: SFU Faculty member to submit a Project Proposal – Deadline: TBC

• Multiple proposals can be submitted by the same PI 
• One proposal is required for each project 
• Each project can include one or multiple students (up to five) 
• Proposal should specify number of inbound and/or outbound students and international collaborator  

Step 2: Submit a Mitacs Student Application – Deadline: TBC

Once a project proposal is approved, SFU International will contact the applicant and the nominated students with instructions to complete the Mitacs Student Application which includes an application form and a research proposal. 

At the time of application submission, PI's must also complete a SFU signature sheet and confirm via email that:

• matching funds are not Tri-Agency funds; and
• if matching funds are drawn from an externally sponsored research project with a restricted budget (i.e. funds are restricted to being used only for specific research activities), a PI has received the sponsor’s approval to use the funds for MITACS-related purposes.

Step 3: Mitacs results - TBC

Mitacs will notify candidate(s), Faculty member, and SFU International about the outcome of the application. Application review may take up to 12 weeks.

Once approved by Mitacs, please carefully review the Inbound or Outbound website pages for next steps.

Step 4: Start of project – TBC

Please note that exact dates of the project may be affected by visa processing timelines.

If you have any questions about the award or the application process, please feel free to contact the Coordinator, International Research Mobility at research_mobility@sfu.ca.