Mitacs Globalink Research Internship 2027: Eligibility, Deadline & How to Apply

The Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) is a fully funded, 12-week research placement at a Canadian university, run by Mitacs, a national not-for-profit that connects academia, industry, and government in Canada. Selected students work under a Canadian faculty member on a research project in their field, alongside graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

For the 2027 cycle, the program has changed shape for Indian applicants. It is no longer open to any Indian student at any recognized university. The Mitacs Globalink Research Internship in India now runs exclusively through AICTE, following a Memorandum of Understanding between Mitacs and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) that was announced on 5th August 2026 after bilateral talks between the Indian and Canadian governments. Up to 300 Indian undergraduates will be selected each year for three years, from 2027 to 2029.

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This change matters because the eligibility bar has shifted. Older guides to the internship, including our own 2024 version, describe a broader, all-disciplines program with an 85% CGPA cutoff. That is no longer accurate for Indian applicants. If you are researching the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship in 2026 for a 2027 placement, the rules below are the ones that apply to you.

Counselor insight: If you already have a Mitacs Globalink Research Internship profile from an earlier cycle, do not assume you're automatically eligible this year. Re-check your institution against the AICTE-approved list and your discipline against the new Engineering/Technology-only criterion before you start your application.

There is no extension window once the portal closes. Mitacs has said in past cycles that applicants who submit in the final week see lower match rates simply because host professors have less time to review their profile, so building in a buffer before 16th September is worth it.

Eligibility for Indian applicants to the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship is now set jointly by Mitacs and AICTE. All of the following criteria must be met:

If your institution is not on the AICTE-approved list, you cannot apply this cycle, regardless of your CGPA or discipline. Check your percentage-to-CGPA conversion early if your transcript reports marks differently, since the 70% cutoff is applied after conversion.

Not sure your degree structure will count as a combined undergraduate Master's? See what our counselors say on Canada degree eligibility before you apply.

Counselor insight: Students in a combined B.Tech-M.Tech program are eligible, but pure Master's students are not. If you're unsure which category your program falls into, get written confirmation from your department before applying, not after.

It is fully funded. Mitacs' funding package for interns includes:

• A contribution toward round-trip airfare to Canada
• Airport-to-accommodation transfer support
• A housing stipend
• A stipend toward student enrolment fees at the host institution
• A stipend for food and incidentals
• Emergency health insurance for the internship duration
• Access to a campus-based student mentor
• Entry to industry events and professional development sessions

Mitacs does not publish a single stipend figure that applies uniformly to every country. The exact amount for Indian interns depends on the host institution and is confirmed after matching, so treat any specific rupee or dollar figure you see quoted elsewhere as unconfirmed until Mitacs shares your individual award letter.

1. Create a profile on the Globalink Student Platform once the portal opens.
2. Search the open projects database by keyword, province, or institution and shortlist 3 to 10 projects across at least 3 provinces.
3. Get a reference letter from a professor who has supervised your work. Letters from administrative staff are not accepted.
4. Update your CV using Mitacs' own template, available as part of the application information pack.
5. Upload your academic transcripts in English or French. If your originals are in another language, you'll need a notarized translation.
6. Complete the research and motivation sections, describing your research interests, skills, and reasons for applying, since professors see these details during matching.
7. Submit before the deadline. There is no submit button; the application locks automatically at 1 pm Pacific Time on 16th September 2026.

Counselor insight: Mitacs assesses applications on CGPA, the quality of your statement of interest, your reference letter, and how closely your background matches the project. A strong SOP that ties your coursework to the specific project (not a generic "I love research" statement) noticeably improves match quality. Our SOP for Canada guide and letter of recommendation guide focus on exactly this kind of application.

• Valid passport (must be valid until at least January 2028; you can apply without one and add details later if selected)
• Reference letter from a supervising professor
• Updated CV or resume (Canadian resume format guide if you're building yours from scratch)
• Academic transcripts in English or French
• Statement of research interests and motivation (part of the online form)

Once the September deadline closes, Mitacs runs a matching process between October and December, weighing your CGPA, your statement of interest, your reference letter, and how closely your skills fit each project's requirements. Incomplete applications are not assessed at all, so a missing transcript or unsigned reference letter can knock you out before matching even starts. Selected students hear back between mid-December 2026 and mid-February 2027, with full internship details shared closer to the May 2027 start window.

A completed Mitacs Globalink Research Internship is valued by Canadian graduate admissions committees, as it shows hands-on research experience under a Canadian supervisor before you apply to a program. The timing is also advantageous: your internship wraps up by October 2027, just as priority deadlines for the following Fall's Master's intake at most Canadian universities are still open, typically between November and January. Many interns use this window to apply directly to their host university, often with a reference letter from the same professor who supervised their research, which is more valuable to that department than a cold LOR would be.

If a Canada Master's is part of your longer-term plan, it's worth reading how a study visa can support your PR pathway before you commit to a research area.

Counselor insight: If you're using the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship to help you get into a Canadian Master's, start your target university shortlist before you leave for Canada, not after. That way you can raise it naturally with your host professor during the internship while the relationship is still active.

1. The Mitacs Globalink Research Internship for India runs exclusively through AICTE for 2027, restricted to Engineering and Technology students at approved institutions.
2. The application window closes on 16th September 2026, and Mitacs does not accept late or incomplete submissions under any circumstance.
3. A strong, project-specific SOP and a supervisor's reference letter matter as much as your CGPA in the matching process.

Applying for the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship this year? Talk to a LeapScholar counselor to get your SOP and project shortlist reviewed before the September deadline.