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Mitacs UK Canada UG Research Mobility Programme

Durham University is delighted to participate in the 2023-24 Globalink Research initiative; a partnership between Universities UK International (UUKi) and Mitacs, a not-for-profit Canadian national research organisation. This initiative offers full funding for up to five Durham undergraduates to complete a 12-week research internship in Canada during the summer of 2024.
Find out more about UUKi and Mitacs
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NB: The deadline has passed for the 2023/24 call. The form will reopen in 2024 for academic year 2024/25.

Call Details

The 2024 Globalink Research initiative offers full funding for up to five Durham undergraduates to complete a 12-week research internship in Canada during the summer of 2024 in a variety of academic disciplines from science, engineering, and mathematics to the humanities and social sciences. Successful applicants will complete an internship under the supervision of a professor at one of 70 participating Canadian universities. Mitacs have developed some impact stories showcasing the experience of previous Globalink interns. Examples can be found here and here.

Why participate?

Students who successfully apply for the scheme will have the chance to:

  • participate in an internationally competitive and fully funded mobility opportunity in Canada in 2024
  • develop research expertise with the assistance of leading professors at Canadian institutions with outstanding research facilities
  • enhance vital workplace skills, including critical thinking, cultural awareness, and developing a global outlook
  • take part in professional training covering areas such as teamwork, project 
    management, problem solving, communication, and entrepreneurship
  • experience educational, social, and recreational opportunities
  • join an international alumni community and become eligible for the Mitacs Globalink Graduate Fellowship.

What do interns receive from Mitacs?

  • the opportunity to work on a research project at a Canadian university
  • round-trip airfare to Canada (via reimbursement)
  • airport transfer to accommodations in Canada
  • stipend for housing, food, and incidentals
  • health insurance
  • stipend towards student enrolment fees up to a maximum of $300
  • support from student mentors on campus in Canada
  • registration for industry events, professional development courses, and 
    social activities

Eligibility

Interested students need to meet Mitacs’ eligibility criteria. At the point of expressing interest in this initiative students must:

  • Be at the end of their first year of a three year programme, or at the end of their second year of a four year programme. Integrated masters students should be at the end of their first year of study. This is to ensure that successful students will have one full year of undergraduate study remaining at the time of the prospective internship (summer 2024);
  • Be at least 18 years of age;
  • Have a minimum weighted average of 65% or higher for their most recent academic year, equivalent to a high 2:1
  • Be able to spend 12 weeks within in the period May – October 2024 at a university in Canada;
  • Demonstrate oral and written fluency in English or French, depending on the primary language of the project;

Fair Access

This initiative is open to any Durham student who meets the eligibility criteria above. As this is a fully funded scheme, expressions of interest are particularly welcomed from students from backgrounds where participation in study or work abroad is traditionally low. Applications is encouraged from students who:

  • Have received or are eligible for the Durham Grant Scheme;
  • Have participated in the Supported Progression Scheme or Sutton Trust Summer school at Durham University;
  • Are from a minority ethnic group;
  • Have a home address in an area of low progression to higher education (i.e. your postcode is listed '1' or '2' in the Polar checking tool;
  • Are a care-leaver (at any time) or an estranged student, or;
  • Have had limited or no previous access to overseas opportunities.

 

 

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Register to apply

To apply students must register their interest by completing the following form. Please note that the deadline is 17th July (12:00) 2023. To be fair to all applicants, late applications will not be accepted.

Click here to access the form (DU students only)

Please note that completing the 'register to apply' form is only the first step of a longer application process. Students will be vetted by both Durham and Mitacs to confirm eligibility. Thereafter, Mitacs will invite students to make a formal application.

Further Information / Resources

Mitacs / UUKi have produced the following guide for students:

Durham MITACS students take part in ceremony at Canadian High Commission

Durham students were invited to London to deliver short speeches at the Canadian High Commission about their MITACs research placements.

Find out more