2025 Mitacs International Mobility Award (IMA) - Horizon Europe

Eligibility

Important Note: Applicants for the 2025-26 work programmes are ineligible. This pilot award is geared toward applicants for the 2026-2027 work programme.

Eligibility requirements are distinct for Faculty members and Partner Organizations:

Faculty member: One to two faculty member(s) at a full or associate member university. Only full-time faculty may apply. Adjunct faculty are not eligible. There are no restrictions on academic discipline, however applicant field must align with ongoing Horizon Europe calls for proposals and/or corresponding European research consortia.

AND (optional but highly desirable)

Partner Organization: One SME. Only for-profit small- and medium-sized enterprises incorporated in Canada may apply. Canadian arms of large multinationals are not eligible. There are no restrictions on industry sector, however their field must align with ongoing Horizon Europe calls for proposals and/or corresponding European research consortia. Any designated traveller(s) from an SME must be a full-time employee, founder, or owner.

Summary

Mitacs – Horizon Europe IMA is designed to support Canadian faculty and eligible small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the early stages of consortium-building and proposal development under Horizon Europe Pillar II. This offering will provide short-term funding to facilitate travel and in-person engagement with European collaborators – addressing a well-recognized barrier to meaningful participation in one of the globe’s largest research funding frameworks.  

Applications must be submitted by one faculty member, with the option to include either one additional faculty member or one SME Partner Organization. Applications must not include more than two travelers. There are no restrictions on academic disciplines or industry sectors however, fields must align with Horizon Europe calls for proposals and/or corresponding European research consortia. 

This new funding opportunity is designed to connect Canadian researchers and innovators with Horizon Europe by providing support to connect with collaborators in-market. Through the IMA, eligible Canadian faculty members and SME representatives can access up to $10,000 CAD ($5,000 CAD per individual traveler) in funding to support travel, and participation in consortia-building activities tied to Horizon Europe projects. Successful applicants will gain opportunities to attend Horizon Europe events, connect with large-scale consortia, and collaborate on proposals in the 2026-2027 work programme.

Planned travel must occur by May 29, 2026. Travel grants support eligible travel costs, with a maximum grant of $5,000 per person ($10,000 total). Up to two (2) individuals – one Faculty member (required) and either an additional faculty member or one Partner Organization contact (optional) may claim eligible expenses per travel grant. 

How to Apply: 

1. Review the Horizon Europe Work Programmes (see links under "Additional Information")
2. Identify relevant partners and calls
3. Download the application form (Word document)
4. Access and complete the Simple Survey link to finalize your proposal and submit **after application is approved internally** 
   Note: Researchers are asked to please copy and paste their answers to this survey in a word document and include it as separate attachment in their RMS submission. 

NOTE: Application form contains additional details. 

As this is a pilot program, please direct program-specific queries to pilots@mitacs.ca, including the phrase “Mitacs – Horizon Europe International Mobility Award” in the subject line of your message.

Overhead

Not allowable. 

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027 - Strategic plan - European Commission 

Work Programme 2026-2027: The European Commission has shared drafts of the upcoming work programme on the Comitology Register. 

• The latest draft was released May 2025 and can be downloaded by clicking here. 

ISED National Contact Point - Horizon Europe contact information 

Canada Horizon Europe General Info - Horizon Europe 

Horizon Europe EU National Contact Points - Find your NCP | Horizon Europe NCP Portal 

Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service - Contact us - Tradecommissioner.gc.ca 

Euraxess North America - EURAXESS North America | EURAXESS
 

INTERNAL RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application