What are the eligibility criteria for applying to the AICTE–Mitacs GRI Scheme?

To be eligible for this program, the applicant must be a 3rd-year B.E. or B.Tech student from an AICTE-approved college with at least an 85% CGPA in the second year. The applicant must also be fluent in English or French, be at least 18 years old, and be available for a full 12-week internship period from May to September in Canada.

What expenses are covered under the AICTE–Mitacs GRI internship?

The total cost per student under this scheme is $12,000 CAD, which is jointly funded by Mitacs Canada ($9,000 CAD) and AICTE India ($3,000 CAD). This amount covers international airfare, visa fees, medical insurance, accommodation, living expenses (stipend), and research-related costs—making it a completely sponsored international opportunity.

How can a student apply for the AICTE–Mitacs Globalink Internship?

Students can apply by visiting the official Mitacs Canada portal and creating an account. They need to fill in the application form, upload necessary documents such as transcripts, a CV, and a reference letter, and submit a project rationale. All documents must be in English or French. Students should also have a valid passport, visa, and travel tickets before departure.

How many students are selected annually and what disciplines are considered?

Every year, up to 300 Indian students are selected for this prestigious research internship program. The scheme is exclusively meant for students from the STEM fields—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—ensuring that those studying in these disciplines get global exposure and hands-on research experience in top Canadian universities.

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AICTE – Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) Scheme

Q: What is the AICTE–Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) Scheme and who is it for?

The AICTE–Mitacs GRI Scheme is a fully funded international research internship program launched in 2018, aimed at Indian undergraduate students pursuing degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) from AICTE-approved institutions. The program provides selected students with a 12-week research internship opportunity at Canadian universities, promoting academic collaboration between India and Canada.

Alankar Mishra

Author

Updated: 28-01-2025 at 7:31 AM

In 2018, AICTE and Mitacs Canada signed a Memorandum of Understanding to introduce the AICTE–Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) Scheme which encourages collaborative research between India and Canada. This program provides Indian undergraduate students with research exposure and experience in Australia’s top universities.

AICTE-Mitacs GRI Scheme: Overview

Feature	Details
Launch Year	2018
Internship Duration	12 weeks
Eligible Disciplines	STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Participants per Year	Maximum 300 students
Total Cost per Student	$ 12,000 CAD
Funding Contributions	Mitacs: $9,000 CAD, AICTE: $3,000 CAD
Location	Canadian Universities

What Is The AICTE-Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) Scheme?

The AICTE-Mitacs GRI Scheme provides fully sponsored Research internships in Canada to Indian students pursuing an undergraduate degree in STEM. The three-month internship cover expenses related to travel, visa, accommodation and research materials.

Key Features Of The Scheme

The aim of establishing the India-Canada research partnership scheme is to strengthen relations between India and Canada in academic and industrial fields. It helps researchers from both countries work together on innovation and improve their skills. Here are the key features of the scheme:

Cross-Border Collaboration: Facilitates the establishment of research collaboration between India and Canada.
Comprehensive Funding: Includes expenses related to travel, accommodation and research as well as stipends.
Skill Development: Encompasses the workshops, engagement with industry and mentoring activities.

Subjects Covered

The program largely targets students from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Objectives Of AICTE–Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) Scheme

The scheme aims to build strong academic connections between India and Canada to support innovation and learning. It provides opportunities for joint research to bridge the gap between global standards and local skills. The main goals of the scheme are:

Strengthen Research Collaboration: Establish links between Indian students and universities in Canada.
Improve Skill Development: Bring participants to world-class academic level and state-of-the-art research practices.
Strengthen Academic Relations: Strengthen the Canadian and Indian academic and research linkages permanently.

Benefits And Financial Contribution

Component	Contribution
Total Program Cost	$ 12,000 CAD per student
Mitacs Contribution	$ 9,000 CAD
AICTE Contribution	$ 3,000 CAD
Coverage	Airfare, visa, medical, accommodation, stipend, and research costs

Duration Of Internship

The internship provides a clear schedule to enhance the learning and research activities. The participants will take part in the programme for the following times:

12 weeks from May to September.

Number Of Internships Available

The government scheme provides a unique opportunity for a limited number of students to gain international research experience. The total number of internships available annually is:

Maximum 300 students per financial year.

Eligibility Of AICTE–Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) Scheme

The scheme has specific eligibility requirements to ensure it reaches the most deserving and qualified candidates. These requirements include academic achievements, language skills, and commitment to the programme. The detailed criteria are:

Must be a 3rd-year undergraduate student (B.E./B.Tech) in an AICTE-approved institution.
CGPA of 85 % in the second year.
Should be at least eighteen years of age.
English/French speaking and writing capability.
Availability for 12 weeks to undertake the internship in Canada.

Application Process For AICTE–Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) Scheme

The application process for the programme is simple and transparent to make it easy for applicants. Candidates need to follow the steps for registration and submission carefully and provide accurate information. The steps are:

Step 1: Visit the Mitacs Canada advance portal.

Step 2: Create an account and fill in the application according to the instructions on the portal.

Step 3: Provide the necessary documents in either English or French.

Step 4: Make sure the applicants have the necessary documents including a valid passport, visa and tickets from a designated country before the travel.

Documents Required For AICTE–Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) Scheme

Candidates need to provide documents that show their academic and work qualifications to complete the application. These documents help assess if the applicant is ready for the programme. The required documents are:

Official yearly transcripts.
Curriculum Vitae (CV).
One reference letter from an academic supervisor.
Project rationale and any additional documents as per Mitacs guidelines.
Submit a feedback form post-internship.

Conclusion

The AICTE-Mitacs Globalink Research Internship scheme provides Indian STEM students the leg towards global research exposure which is hard to come by. Well-funded and mentored in a structured manner, the program also enhances the academic collaboration between India and Canada while facilitating human capital growth.

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