Summer 2023 - virtual global cause partnerships intern

How do I become a Globalink research intern?
To apply for a Globalink Research Internship, students must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or combined undergraduate/master’s program at an eligible institution (see list of eligible institutions by country under the Student Application tab)
• Have one to three semesters remaining in their program as of Fall 2023
• Meet the grade requirements for your country of study:
  • GPA requirements by country will be updated in June 2022
• Be available to complete a 12-week internship, arriving in Canada between May 1 and July 31, 2023, and returning to their country of study between July 31 and October 31, 2023
• Possess a valid passport that is valid until at least January 2024 (more information about passport below)
• Student applicants must provide in their application:
  • An official transcript from the home university, in English or French. If you cannot obtain an English or French transcript, you must submit a translated and notarized copy before the application deadline
  • At least one letter of reference from a professor or research supervisor
  • A CV detailing research experience
• Apply to a minimum of three, maximum of seven, projects and ensure selections are from at least three different Canadian provinces 

I am not enrolled full time at a university in one of the countries or regions listed, what can I do?
The application for Globalink Research Internship is only open to full-time students enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or combined undergraduate/master’s program at an eligible institution (see list of eligible institutions by country under the Student Application tab). 

If you are enrolled at a university in a different country or region, or if your university is not an eligible university, sign up for Mitacs news and stay tuned for announcements. We partner with new countries each year. 

Where is the list of eligible universities?
A list of eligible institutions by country can be found under the Student Application tab. When you start your application, select your country of enrollment, and you will be asked to choose your university from the drop-down list. 

What can I do if my home university is not on the drop-down list of eligible universities?
Make sure you search all possible names for your university. Note that there are no abbreviations in the list. If you still cannot find your home university, please contact . Mitacs will determine if your university is eligible to receive funding and confirm with you. 

Is Globalink Research Internship open to graduate students or postdoctoral fellows?
No, Globalink Research Internship is not open to graduate students or postdoctoral fellows.

How do I submit an application? 
You will be required to create a personal user account on the Globalink Student Platform (link will be provided when the student call opens). Do not create multiple profiles; your application may be processed incorrectly. 

Once you have successfully created your account and logged in, you can begin your application. You will be able to save your work and return to it later to add more information and any documents that you need to upload. Applications will be assessed only after the application deadline.  

I don’t see a “Submit” button – how do I submit my application through the Student Platform?
There is no “Submit” button for the application. Your application will be submitted automatically at the submission deadline. 

How does Mitacs assess my application?
Applications are assessed based on a number of factors, including all eligibility criteria, your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), the quality of your statement of interest, the quality of the reference letter, and how well your research interests and experience match the research focus of the project or professor. Incomplete applications will not be assessed. 

Is a language proficiency score required for Globalink Research Internship?
No, Mitacs does not require applicants to submit language proficiency scores. However, applicants must have a strong working knowledge of the project’s language, which will be listed in the project description. 

Host professors in Canada are encouraged to interview applicants via Skype, Zoom or Teams to determine their language proficiency. Applicants who do not demonstrate appropriate language proficiency may have their applications revoked at the discretion of Mitacs.  

Please note that some international partners may require a language proficiency score and may collect this directly from students. 

Can my reference letter be written by any professor at my university?

The professor who writes your reference letter should: 

• Have supervised or co-supervised your work
• Be able to speak about your academic and research experience
• Provide a signed letter on university letterhead  

Please note that reference letters that do not meet these requirements will not be considered and your application will be deemed ineligible.  

Click here for a sample reference letter. 

Can my reference letter be written by a university staff member?
No, reference letters from university staff members will not be considered.

What is considered a complete application?
You must complete all the mandatory fields in the application and upload the following required documents: 

• At least one reference letter in either English or French from a professor
  • Click here for a sample reference letter
• Your official transcripts in English and/or French OR if your transcript is in another language, a scanned copy of the original documents and the translated and notarized transcript in the language of the project
  • The language of your transcripts must match the language(s) of the projects you applied for. For example, if you only applied to English-language projects, you must submit transcripts in English
• A copy of your résumé/CV
  • Click here for a sample CV 

Can I submit more than one transcript?
You are required to submit official transcripts that show your academic history since you started your undergraduate or combined undergraduate/master’s program. 

If you have attended more than one university since you started your program, you will need to provide a transcript for each university. It is preferred that you combine all your transcripts into one PDF document.

What do I do if I do not have a passport, or my passport is not valid up until January 2024?
If you do not have a passport or your passport is not valid up until this date, you will be required to provide details of a valid passport by December 2022. Please note that if you are selected for a Globalink Research Internship, your placement will not be confirmed until you can provide proof of a valid passport. 

What should I include under the Research section of the application form?
Applicants are responsible for including any relevant research skills, interests, and achievements relevant to your academic discipline or field of research. This section is used to evaluate your application after the call closes. If your application moves forward to the matching phase, this section will also be seen by professors. Please include any and all information that you would wish professors to know about your research skills that make you a suitable candidate for their projects.  

Applicants are required to provide original work. Copying the work of others is a misrepresentation and a form of academic misconduct. Mitacs does not tolerate such activity and any submissions that misrepresent the work of others are automatically rejected. 

I don’t have all my documents ready yet. If I start my application now, can I log back in and finish it later?
Yes, you may start your application, save your work, and return to complete your application. All applications must be complete with all the required documentation by the submission deadline. Incomplete applications received after the deadline will not accepted. 

How many research projects can I apply for?
You must apply for a minimum of three and a maximum of seven projects in at least three Canadian provinces. 

You will be able to search the database of projects by institution name, province, and keywords. 

Can I work with a Canadian professor who does not have a project on the list?
No. You must apply to a project that is in the online GRI project database.

My undergraduate degree is in the social sciences; do you have projects in this field?
Globalink Research Internships are open to all disciplines and many projects are interdisciplinary. We encourage you to do both specific and general searches using the keyword search to find projects in your discipline. 

Check the eligibility section to determine if your international partner organization has limitations or rules regarding disciplines.

Can I apply for a project that is not in my academic discipline?
Yes. Some projects may require interns from various disciplines and academic departments. For example, a professor in the health sciences may be looking for a student with a computer science background to assist with a data project. To ensure you are viewing all the projects that may apply to you, do multiple keyword searches. You must ensure that your background is relevant to the research topic and skills/experience requested by the professor in the description of the project.  

When is the deadline for applications?
The deadline will be updated once the call opens. The student call is typically open for six weeks. Any applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. 

Can I submit my application by email?
No. Your full application must be submitted through the Globalink Student Platform. Applications received by email or any other means will not be accepted.  

The deadline has passed but I made an error in my application. What can I do?
Applications missing any of the required documentation will be considered incomplete and declined. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is filled out completely. You cannot make changes to your application after the deadline.

If I have technical difficulties completing my application, what should I do?
If you experience any technical difficulties, please contact . If possible, include a screenshot of the problem you are encountering.

Please allow up to five days for a response. Mitacs advises that you complete your application before the deadline. We cannot guarantee that tickets received two weeks before the deadline will be answered. 

Is doing a virtual internship worth it?

How do I get an internship at Mitacs?

What is a Mitacs intern?

Does UNDP pay interns?