Second call now open: Apply for the Mitacs Horizon Europe International Mobility Award

March 6, 2026

Vancouver, BC – Today, Mitacs launched a second call for applications for its Horizon Europe International Mobility Award (IMA). The Award helps Canadian researchers participate in Horizon Europe, the world’s largest flagship research and innovation funding program. This second call for applications responds to ongoing demand further to Mitacs’ highly successful initial pilot. Launched in August 2025, the inaugural Horizon Europe IMA received a tremendous response and resulted in $505,000 awarded for 101 travel grants.

The second call for applications for the Mitacs Horizon Europe IMA is open now until April 8, 2026. The award covers travel costs for Canadian postsecondary faculty and small- or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to launch collaborations under Pillar II of Horizon Europe to support innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness. 

Canadian researchers and SMEs are encouraged to apply for eligible activities, including consortia-building and development of aligned R&D priorities. This second call expands the opportunity to all Mitacs-eligible postsecondary institutions and research institutes and is aimed at faculty members travelling with colleagues from a different postsecondary institution or with an industry partner. 

Mitacs’ continued support through the Horizon Europe IMA empowers Canadian researchers to strengthen partnerships with European researchers and institutions to tackle global challenges. It also aligns with Canada’s shared research priorities and partnership with the European Union. 

The award amounts provided through the first intake of the Mitacs Horizon Europe IMA facilitated meaningful new collaborations with Horizon Europe. Notably, 84% of applicants had not previously participated in a consortium. Of the 101 travel grants awarded, the majority were focused on Horizon Europe clusters of AI and digital, industry and space, health, climate and energy. 

Quotes 

“Building on the successful pilot of the Mitacs Horizon Europe International Mobility Award in 2025, we’re pleased to offer continued support through this second call for applications. Mitacs is supporting Canadian researchers and SMEs to access opportunities within Europe’s largest research funding program, helping to build impactful partnerships and collaborations to address real-world challenges while strengthening Canada’s economic growth and resilience.” 

– Dr. Stephen Lucas, CEO, Mitacs 

About Horizon Europe 

Horizon Europe is the world’s largest flagship research and innovation funding program with a budget for 2021-2027 of €95.5B (over CAD$150B).  

Canada is an “associated country” under Horizon Europe Pillar II (Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness) project calls from 2024–2027, which offers approximately $10 billion each year. These initiatives bring together partners to co-develop innovative solutions to address global challenges. 

Building on a long history of Canada and European Union collaboration in innovation, Canada’s participation in Horizon Europe strengthens global research and innovation collaboration and outcomes. 

About Mitacs  

For over 25 years, Mitacs has helped grow the economy and develop the workforce of tomorrow, connecting industry with academia and global partners to solve real-world challenges. We support business-academic research collaboration through internships, co-funded with businesses, for undergraduate to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.  

As a national innovation connector, Mitacs takes a talent-first approach to strengthen innovation capacity and drive global competitiveness. We serve as an essential research-commercialization bridge, accelerating market entry and growth for new products and services.  

This is a critical time for Canada to think big and take bold action. Mitacs is ready to help build a strong and resilient Canadian economy, powered by ideas, talent and innovation.  

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.