External Grants

These externally funded competitions are designed to establish and strengthen international networks, transforming them into long-term, sustainable partnerships. They typically support initiatives such as joint research projects, early career development, and public engagement activities.

Many applications for these opportunities require coordination at the institutional level. Please consult the guidelines below for key deadlines and submission procedures.

Open and Ongoing Opportunities:

As a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), University of Toronto faculty and staff may access a wide range of funding opportunities throughout the year. These include grants and fellowships supporting mobility, research collaboration, and professional development.

To explore current and upcoming opportunities, visit the ACU Funding Opportunities Calendar.

The Mitacs Globalink Research Award (GRA) supports research projects for students and postdocs to build strategic research partnerships abroad and to attract prospective graduate students and post-doctoral fellows to U of T.  

Approved recipients will receive funds to support intern travel and accommodation expenses, research-related expenses, and stipend.

Please visit this web page for full details about the opportunity, including instructions on how to apply. 

If you have questions, please reach out to globalinkaward@utoronto.ca. 

 

Horizon Europe is the European Union’s (EU) main research and innovation program and the world’s largest, with a total budget of €95.5 billion (2021-2027). Canada recently joined Horizon Europe as an associate country under Pillar II: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness. As a result, Canadian researchers can now apply for and receive funding directly from this program as beneficiaries.

Canadian researchers are also eligible to apply and receive funding for ERC Synergy Grants, and can participate in other Pillar I and Pillar III projects with funding of their own (unless otherwise indicated on the call).

The French National Institute for Health and Medical Research (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Inserm) has announced two funding opportunities to support collaboration with foreign researchers, including those based in Canada: First Step supports new collaborations and the International Research Project program supports existing partnerships.

  1. First Step

First Step is an exploratory program designed to launch new international collaborations between young Inserm researchers and foreign teams.

Program focus: Projects are intended to begin and develop scientific and technological exchanges of excellence between two research laboratories and must demonstrate potential for complementary expertise.

Award value & duration: €10,000 over 18 months.

Eligibility: The French coordinator must have been working permanently in an Inserm laboratory for less than 5 years. See call for more details.

Key Dates:

  • Internal deadline: September 16, 2026, 5:00 pm (EDT); submit MRA
  • Sponsor deadline: September 21, 2026, 5:00 pm (CEST) (11:00 am EDT)

How to Apply: Canadian researchers should reach out to their (potential) Inserm collaborator and discuss this opportunity. Applications are submitted by the Inserm researcher, but the project is co-designed with the international partner. See call for all application materials.

Resources:

 

  1. International Research Projects (IRP)

This program supports existing and emerging promising partnerships by providing the means to establish long-term collaboration between teams from at least two countries.

Program focus: The goal is to consolidate a partnership established between an Inserm team and a foreign team(s). Special attention will be paid to projects with low-income or middle-income countries (LMICs).

Award value & duration: €60,000 (for IRPs in Europe) and €75,000 (for IRPs outside of Europe) over 5 years.

Eligibility: The French coordinator must be a researcher with a permanent position at an Inserm laboratory in France. See call for more details.

Key Dates:

  • Internal deadline: September 25, 2026, 5:00 pm (EDT); submit MRA
  • Sponsor deadline: September 30, 2026, 5:00 pm (CEST) (11:00 am EDT)

How to Apply: Canadian researchers should reach out to their Inserm collaborator and discuss this opportunity. Applications are submitted by the Inserm researcher, but the project is co-designed with the international partner. See call for all application materials.

Resources:

The Mitacs Accelerate Global Excellence Award supports outstanding international researchers and Canadians abroad in relocating to Canada to undertake collaborative, industry-focused research.

The award provides $170,000 over two years to support the recruitment, relocation, and integration of international postdoctoral talent into Canada’s research and innovation ecosystem. A partner organization is required and will contribute $42,500 plus tax per year, covering half of the $85,000 annual award. Mitacs has partnered with CIFAR to offer up to an additional 10 fellowships to researchers affiliated with CIFAR.

For further information on eligibility, timelines, and application details, please visit: Mitacs Accelerate Global Excellence Award – Mitacs. Should you have any questions or would like to discuss applying, please contact your Mitacs Advisor.

1. Visiting Scholar Program (VSP)
The VSP offers flexible collaboration for international scholars to engage in research, teaching, and mentoring at VinUniversity. Visiting Scholars receive funding up to US$36,000, access to facilities, and networking opportunities. Learn more about the VSP.

2. Secondment Program
Partner universities, including U of T, can second faculty/researchers to VinUni while they remain employed at their home institution. VinUni and home institution jointly share remuneration for the faculty. VinUni will reimburse agreed costs, cover visa, travel, accommodation, insurance for the faculty.

Application process:
Candidates may apply directly or be nominated. Required documents include:A cover letter outlining teaching and research interests and proposed contributions.

  • A detailed Curriculum Vitae with a full list of publications.

 

Applications may be submitted through the host faculty, Research Centers, or VinUniversity’s recruitment email (talent@vinuni.edu.vn).

Previous Opportunities:

CMAC supports collaborative projects that advance shared economic prosperity and innovation between Canada and Mexico through education, research, and academic collaboration in priority areas aligned with the Canada–Mexico Action Plan (2025–2028).

Institutions may only a limited number of proposals. PIs interested in applying should first secure permission from the Office of the Vice-President, International (OVPI), which is coordinating applications on behalf of U of T. Those interested, should contact international@utoronto.ca.

Previous calls:

The Canada-China Scholars’ Exchange Program (CCSEP) provides Canadian students, full-time teaching or research staff, and mid-career professionals the opportunity to pursue post-secondary studies, research, or Chinese language training at leading institutions across China.

Applications are submitted directly be interested individuals. Faculty and staff seeking assistance with partnership develop should contact international@utoronto.ca.

Previous calls:

The Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program (FMPBP) provides opportunities for Canadian faculty to do short-term research and teach in Latin America and the Caribbean. U of T applications are submitted by the Office of the Vice-President, International (OVPI), on behalf of interested faculty members.

Institutions must submit applications on behalf of interested faculty members. Please review the calls’ guidelines, below, for more information on application procedures.

Previous calls:

The RCE is designed to connect Canadian researchers, institutions and organizations with regional stakeholders and counterparts. It also aims to enhance Canada’s profile in the region, accelerate Canada’s ability to develop or gain access to influential networks and form strategic partnerships. U of T applications are submitted by the Office of the Vice-President, International (OVPI), on behalf of interested PIs.

Institutions may only a limited number of proposals. PIs interested in applying should first secure permission from the Office of the Vice-President, International (OVPI), which is coordinating applications on behalf of U of T. Those interested, should contact international@utoronto.ca.

Previous calls:

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