Concordia - Mitacs Globalink Research Awards with Vietnam

The call is aimed at fostering new, innovative, and mutual beneficial partnerships between Concordia University and Vietnamese researchers to address some of society’s most pressing issues in sustainability, with a focus on water, energy and cities.

Program objectives

Following the successful Concordia - Vietnam seed grant for collaborations in sustainability call for proposals in June 2024, Concordia International is partnering with Mitacs for a special Globalink Research Award (GRA) call for proposals with academic institutions in Vietnam. 

Mitacs GRA program objectives are to: 

• Develop or strengthen strategic partnerships overseas.
• Support Concordia’s strategic directions to “Double our Research” and  “Embrace the World.”
• Build institutional bridges between Concordia University and international universities.
• Help students to gain international research experience, fostering cultural awareness, and develop their international networks.
• Support the development of partnerships by faculty members.
• Enrich Concordia's research activities and drive innovation by bringing different perspectives and ideas.

Background

Under the framework of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Canada and Vietnam, Concordia University organized the Concordia – Vietnam: Building partnerships toward a sustainable future event on December 12, 2023. The event was aimed at identifying opportunities for future collaboration.   

As a result of this event, researchers from both countries concluded that Canada/Concordia and Vietnam shared some of the same sustainability challenges and that there was a strong alignment between us in terms of research interests. The panelists recommended further exploring synergies that could strengthen our bilateral collaboration and, ultimately, result in a positive impact for our respective societies. In particular, the following sustainable themes were highlighted for further exploration:  

Building water and energy resiliency: 

• Monitoring technologies of water reservoirs 
• Prevention and treatment of eutrophication 
• Waste water treatment 
• Energy technologies and policies to support decarbonization and the transition towards net zero environments  

Cities of the future: 

• Living labs to develop decarbonization technologies and strategies 
• Sharing net zero roadmaps and lessons learned  
• Design and implementation of sustainability policies for cities 
• Smart energy girds and hydrogen infrastructure 

Next Generation Cities Institute and Volt-Age priority topics:

 List of themes can be found here: 

• Volt-age seed funded projects topics
• Next Generation Cities clusters

The event concluded with a call to action from the panelist to “create something extraordinary” between Concordia and Vietnamese universities.

Partnership development

To identify potential partners in Vietnam and vice versa and ensure the establishment of an initial contact between relevant researchers from Concordia University and Vietnam, Concordia International will offer a series of resources including a list of potential institutions and faculty members in Vietnam and at Concordia University, introduction meetings, and matchmaking events. 

Although we encourage you to use your networks/contacts to find a partner in Vietnam/Concordia University, you can also contact Julio Sevilla, Manager, International Projects at Concordia International to get support in finding a partner.  

Eligibility 

Open to Concordia and Vietnamese senior undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. To participate candidates need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be registered as a full-time senior undergraduate, graduate student or postdoctoral fellow throughout the Globalink Research Award.
• Postdoctoral fellows may apply if your date of graduation from a Ph.D. program is no more than five years before the start date of the research project and you have postdoctoral status.  
• You cannot undertake a research project at an institution where you have previously completed a degree.
• You cannot undertake a research project in a country where you hold citizenship.
• Be the legal age of majority in Canada (18 years of age or older).
• Students from Vietnam must meet travel requirements for Canada, including visa and/or immigration requirements and associated documentation. 
• Concordia students must meet travel requirements for Vietnam, including visa and/or immigration requirements and associated documentation. 

Value and duration

• $6,000 award to carry out a research project over 12 to 24 weeks.
• 25% of your research project may be completed at your home institution, upon Mitacs approval.
• Projects must start no later than 12 months from the date of approval.
• Award is paid in the form of a stipend to the research intern.  
• Funding must be used to support Mitacs Globalink Research Award interns.

Sustainable travel

We encourage applicants to consider the environmental impact of their travel.

How to apply

The project must be co-supervised by a Concordia faculty member and a faculty member from an academic institution in Vietnam. 

Supervising professors' eligibility:

• Must hold a faculty position.
• Must be eligible to supervise graduate students.

We recommend reading the Mitacs GRA Program Guide to make sure all the information and support material is included in your application.

Step 1: Prepare your application on the Mitacs Portal

Apply on the Mitacs Globalink Research Award Application Portal

Important to note:

• In the budget section of the application all funds need to be allocated to the stipend amount.
• Ensure the application you download to submit for internal signature at Concordia has been signed off on by all participants. It should read “completed sign off” in section 7 (Sign-off Status).
• The Student Code of Conduct and Ethics and International Pre-departure forms must be completed by the intern after the award is approved.

Step 2: Submit your application to Concordia for signature

• Download a copy of your completed online Mitacs application for internal submission to Concordia International.
• Signed applications will be submitted to ConRad on behalf of faculty by Concordia International.
• Signed applications by the Office of Research and Concordia International will be submitted to Mitacs on your behalf by Concordia International.
  
• For internal submission to Concordia interns must upload the completed Mitacs application and register on the Concordia International Mobility portal. The portal regroups all the application documents for mobility programs. Click on the application link below.