Mitacs has launched a Thematic Call for applications to the Mitacs Globalink Research Award (GRA) program.  The application deadline is November 20, 2024, for travel beginning May 2025 or later.  Projects are for a minimum of 12 weeks, up to 24 (however, standard funding is CAD 6,000).  The GRA program facilitates international collaboration through joint supervision of the student's research project.  All disciplines are eligible.

https://www.mitacs.ca/our-programs/globalink-research-award-thematic-call/

The themes include but are not limited to examples shown below.  The open theme "humanities and social innovation" supports a diverse range of SSH projects.  Some countries/partners may have their own priority themes.

1) Digital and Emerging technology (e.g. AI, Advanced Computing, Cybersecurity, Semiconductors)
2) Sustainability and Net Zero (e.g. Electric Vehicles, Critical Minerals, Hydrogen, Energy Transition, Oceans, Clean Technology)
3) Life Sciences (e.g. Biomanufacturing, Bioeconomy, Agri-Food, Agri-Tech, Health Sciences)
4) Humanities and Social Innovation (open category)

There is no co-pay and no application limits for thematic calls, however, they may be more competitive than the standard stream.

Standard eligibility criteria include registered, full-time senior undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows (PDF), for travel in either direction (bi-directional, meaning you can either send or host a student/PDF).  However, specific country partners may have have additional requirements or restrictions.

Eligible Countries (may be limited to specific institutions):  Please see the Mitacs website for more details. 

• Australia - UG, Grad, PDF; bi-directional; 7 eligible institutions in Australia.
• Brazil - Grad and PDF; bi-directional; 16 eligible public universities in the state of Paraná
• Chile - UG, Grad, PDF; bi-directional; five eligible institutions
• France - Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) - PhD and PDF only; bi-directional; All labs identified as UMR (Unité Mixte de Recherche)  as well as UPR (Unité Propose de Recherche)
• France - French Embassy in Canada:  Outbound (to France) only; UG, Grad, PDF; all universities in France
• France - INRIA - inbound PhD only; outbound Grad only; bi-directional; nine INRIA Centres; 16 week minimum and alternative funding scheme
• France - INSERM - PhD/PDF only; bi-directional; Life science theme only
• France - Université de Lorraine - Grad and PDF only; bi-directional; authorization from U de Lorraine required prior to submission
• Germany - Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ Helmholz Association) -  PhD/PDF only; bi-directional; 10 eligible institutions; own priority themes
• Germany - Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - PhD/PDF only; bi-directional; All KIT departments/divisions
• Korea - Grad and PDF only, TO KOREA only; all universities in Korea. Canadian Citizens/PR only.
• South Africa - PhD and PDF only; bi-directional; check list of more than 50 eligible institutions 
• Taiwan - Grad and PDF only; all universities in Taiwan; bi-directional; citizenship requirements
• UK - PhD students only; all universities in the UK; bi-directional; review priority themes.

The Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI) Commercialization Stream invites Ontario-based organizations in agriculture, agri-food and agri-based products sectors to lead market validation and product development projects.

OAFRI offers funding for commercialization and innovation to foster economic development of the sector, ensure protection and assurance in the sector, and provide stewardship of Ontario’s capacity to produce food. The objective of the Commercialization Stream is to conduct activities that enable and support the agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector through market validation and product development. OAFRI supports the province’s Grow Ontario strategy which aims to increase the creation and adoption of innovations for the agri-food sector to enhance competitiveness, grow market opportunities and strengthen the sector against future disruptions.

Research on research, also known as metaresearch, is the application of rigorous methods and analysis to the practice of research itself—its methods, standards and evaluation. Founded in 2019, the Research on Research Institute (RoRI) is a consortium of research funders and institutes that undertakes projects that can support the work of funding organizations. RoRI gathers evidence and data; undertakes experiments; and develops tools to improve how research is funded, practiced, communicated and evaluated.

The three Canadian core partners of RoRI—SSHRC, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Michael Smith Health Research BC—have together launched this joint initiative as part of ongoing efforts to support metaresearch in the Canadian context. The goal of this joint initiative is to enhance national capacity for metaresearch, and bring Canadian expertise and perspectives into the international dialogue on improving research funding practices. Metaresearch is a vital element of social sciences and humanities research, as well as multidisciplinary research, as it allows greater insight into the ways in which research is conducted, evaluated and supported.

For the purposes of this joint initiative, metaresearch (also known in different contexts as research on research, metascience or the science of science) is defined as a field of research that draws on old and new disciplinary and methodological approaches to test, evaluate and experiment with different aspects of research systems, cultures and decision-making. It aims to ensure the full potential of research can be realized in ways that are rigorous, transparent, fair and evidence-informed. Metaresearch can be conducted by researchers in any disciplinary field.

This joint initiative aims to:

• build knowledge and understanding on metaresearch, i.e., the application of rigorous methods and analysis to the practice of research itself—its methods, incentives, standards and evaluation—and the practices of how that research is funded, communicated, applied and evaluated
• produce data on metaresearch that may have impacts on research and innovation policy and funding practices in Canada and other jurisdictions
• take part in knowledge mobilization among Canadian and international researchers, including members of RoRI’s consortium, to contribute to the development of research and innovation policies and research funding practices;
• provide training for students and highly qualified personnel
• build collaborations among researchers working on metaresearch, both in Canada and internationally

Applications are accepted 2x per year for research stays of 1-3 months at any German university or non-university research institute, and can take place at more than one host institution. The grant includes a monthly stipend of 2,000-2150 euros plus a travel allowance.  Research grants are also available for PhD students (2-12 months) and post-doctoral fellows (2-6 months).  For assistance, please contact Jill Sherman, intl.research@lakeheadu.ca

Applications are accepted 2x per year for research stays of 1-3 months at any German university or non-university research institute, and can take place at more than one host institution. The grant includes a monthly stipend of 2,000-2150 euros plus a travel allowance.  Research grants are also available for PhD students (2-12 months) and post-doctoral fellows (2-6 months).  For assistance, please contact Jill Sherman, intl.research@lakeheadu.ca

As part of its longstanding partnership with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the CIHR Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) is delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural AACR-CIHR Scholar-in-Training Awards (SITA) competition. An expansion of the highly prestigious and successful AACR SITA competition, these awards will support young investigators from Canada, particularly from underrepresented groups, to present their research at the AACR Annual Meeting 2025, the world's largest cancer research conference.