AICTE-Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) Scheme

AICTE and Mitacs have renewed their partnership for the Globalink Research Internship (GRI) to send Indian undergraduate students on fully funded research internships to Canadian universities. Under the new three-year agreement signed in March 2026, up to 300 students from India can travel to Canada every year, with the first cohort going over in summer 2027.

The scheme gives young B.E. and B.Tech students a chance to work on real research projects with Canadian faculty for 12 weeks at a Canadian university. It covers airfare, visa fees, housing, food, medical insurance and a monthly stipend, so students do not have to worry about the cost of studying abroad.

AICTE Mitacs Globalink Research Internship 2026 Updates

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) first signed an agreement with Mitacs, a Canadian non-profit, in February 2018 to open collaborative research between India and Canada. That partnership was renewed in March 2026 during the official visit of the Canadian Prime Minister to India. The new memorandum of understanding runs for three years and keeps the target of 300 Indian senior undergraduate students per year.

The renewed agreement now goes beyond science and engineering. Students from science, engineering, mathematics, humanities and social sciences can all apply for a research internship under this scheme. The main focus areas under the 2026 agreement include artificial intelligence, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, cybersecurity, health and life sciences, and information technology. So the programme now suits a much wider group of students than before.

Key Updates in 2026

Several things have changed for this scheme after the March 2026 renewal. Students should note the main points before planning to apply.

• The agreement between AICTE and Mitacs has been renewed for three years, confirming that the scheme will keep running. The first new cohort under this agreement will go to Canada in summer 2027.
• The internship is no longer limited to engineering and technology students. Humanities and social science students can also apply, which makes the scheme open to many more people.
• Applications for summer 2026 have closed, and the opening of the summer 2027 application call is expected soon on the official Mitacs portal. Interested students should check the official website regularly for the exact date.
• Students must now apply to a minimum of three and a maximum of ten research projects, and these projects should be spread across at least three different Canadian provinces.

Benefits

AICTE and Mitacs jointly fund the internship for each selected student. The total support is CAD 12,000 per student, of which Mitacs gives CAD 9,000 and AICTE gives CAD 3,000. This total covers most of the expenses of staying and researching in Canada.

The funding amount covers round-trip international airfare, airport transport in Canada, a monthly housing stipend, a weekly food and incidentals allowance, visa and immigration fee payment, and full medical insurance for the internship period. It also gives up to CAD 300 towards university enrolment or administration fees, plus up to CAD 200 for conferences or workshops. Students get the help of Globalink mentors on campus and can take part in professional development courses through Mitacs EDGE. At the end, every student gets a certificate of completion for the internship.

Eligibility for 2027 Cohort

To apply under the renewed scheme, a student needs to meet the conditions given below. The rules are shared for the 2027 batch.

• The applicant must be an Indian citizen and at least 18 years of age at the time of applying.
• The applicant must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate B.E. or B.Tech course at an AICTE-approved institution, or in a combined undergraduate and master's programme.
• The student must have completed at least two years of undergraduate study, which usually means a third-year student, and should have one to three semesters left in the course as of fall 2027.
• The student must meet the grade requirements for the home institution and should be fluent in the language of the project, either English or French. Indian students usually do not need a separate language proficiency test.
• The student must be free for 12 full weeks between May 1 and October 31, and the internship should start between May 1 and July 31.
• A student who has already been awarded a Globalink Research Internship in the past is not eligible to apply again.

Application Process

Applications for this internship are made online. There is no separate application to AICTE, and everything goes through the official Mitacs Globalink portal.

STEP 1 - Visit the official Mitacs Globalink Research Internship page at mitacs.ca and open the GRI application platform for the upcoming summer call.

STEP 2 - Register on the portal with your details. A link to complete the registration will be sent to your email, so keep your inbox and spam folder handy.

STEP 3 - Fill in your personal and education details, convert your average grade to a percentage out of 100, and go through the background and research interest questions. You do not need a valid passport to apply, but if you are selected you will have to give valid passport details by February of the internship year.

STEP 4 - Choose the research projects you are interested in. Pick a minimum of three and a maximum of ten projects from at least three different Canadian provinces, and arrange them in your order of preference.

STEP 5 - Upload your CV, transcripts and at least one reference letter from an academic supervisor. Answer the acknowledgement questions and make sure every section shows a green check mark. Your application is submitted automatically at the deadline, so check your status before it passes.

Documents Required

Students need to keep the following documents ready before filling the application form. The list is simple and can be arranged easily.

• Official academic transcripts from all the years of your undergraduate study, either in English or French.
• A detailed curriculum vitae (CV) that shows your education, skills and any research or project work.
• At least one reference letter from an academic supervisor or researcher. You can submit a second reference letter if needed.
• A statement of interest that explains why you want to carry out research in Canada.

References

View AICTE Mitacs Scheme Official Guidelines

Visit Mitacs Globalink Research Internship Official Page

Read the Official News on the Renewed Agreement

FAQ's

Is the AICTE Mitacs internship still running in 2026?

Yes. AICTE and Mitacs renewed their agreement in March 2026 for another three years. Applications for summer 2026 have closed, and the call for summer 2027 is expected to open soon on the official portal.

How many Indian students can go each year?

Up to 300 Indian senior undergraduate students can go to Canada every year under this scheme, with the first cohort under the renewal travelling in summer 2027.

What is the total financial support per student?

Each selected student gets total funding of CAD 12,000. Mitacs contributes CAD 9,000 and AICTE contributes CAD 3,000.

What does the funding cover?

The funding covers round-trip airfare, airport transport, a monthly housing stipend, a weekly food and incidentals allowance, visa fees, medical insurance, and up to CAD 300 towards enrolment fees and CAD 200 for conferences.

Who can apply for this internship?

Indian students enrolled in a full-time B.E. or B.Tech programme at an AICTE-approved institution, who have completed at least two years of study and have one to three semesters left, can apply. Students from humanities and social sciences are also covered under the renewed agreement.

How long does the internship last?

The internship lasts for 12 full weeks, which should fall between May 1 and October 31, with the start date between May 1 and July 31.

What does Mitacs stand for?

Mitacs stands for Mathematics of Information Technology and Computer Systems. It is a Canadian non-profit that runs research internships and connects students with industry.