Faculty and staff mobility

Through various mobility programs, professors and administrative staff can explore new horizons, learn to adapt their learning and grow from diverse backgrounds.

At the core of our mobility programs are:

• lifelong and transformative experiences
• hands-on learning opportunities
• promote research initiatives
• learn different approaches to thinking, doing and leading
• sharing knowledge globally and at home
• growing our international community

Ultimately, the mobility programs will help Ontario Tech develop our collaborations with our international partners, adding to our university’s strategic plan and cultivating our internationalization goals.

1. Travel by faculty or administrative staff is subject to approval by the Dean or department lead respectively. 
2. Once you have received approval for travel, please complete the International Travel Form for Faculty/Staff.
3. The International Office will get back to you with next steps. 

Important to note: The outbound faculty and staff mobility program is subject to the pandemic related guidelines imposed by Health Canada and Ontario Tech, in addition to current global immigration guidelines and any applicable travel restrictions that are subject to change at any time.

Name: Dr. Patrick Hung

Current position: Professor

Host university and country: University of Sao Paulo (USP), Brazil 

Can you provide a couple of highlights from this mobility experience? 

1. Meeting many active researchers to achieve the cooperation of research projects and co-authoring research papers.
2. Learning the work practices and culture in the Brazilian academic community.

Briefly, how did this opportunity benefit your work at Ontario Tech?

This opportunity expanded the scope of my research interests of smart toys and social robots with the Brazilian cultural factors. I benefited from the research student exchange activities, graduate student co-supervisions, and on-site experiments.

What would you say to someone considering a mobility experience?

I would encourage them to leave their comfort zone and explore an eye-opening experience. “He that travels much knows much.” - Thomas Fuller (baptized 19 June 1608 – 16 August 1661)​

Nominations are open for the 2026 Mitacs Innovation Awards. The awards recognize Mitacs-supported innovators whose work is helping turn research, talent, and partnership into real-world impact for Canada. Self and peer nominations are accepted across all award categories. Submit a nomination by September 8.

Award categories include:
•    Outstanding Innovator
•    Inclusive Innovator
•    Canadian Start-Up Innovator
•    Canadian Enterprise Innovator
•    Outstanding Research Leadership

For full details, eligibility, and nomination requirements, visit the Mitacs Innovation Awards webpage.

Questions? Contact events@mitacs.ca.

The De Chastelain Scholarship Programme, jointly funded by the governments of Canada (through the Academic Relations Program)  and Ireland and delivered by the Ireland–Canada University Foundation, supports short-term mobility for Canadian scholars to advance research and collaboration on peacebuilding, reconciliation, and resilient societies.

• Open to all disciplines with an emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches, the programme also aims to strengthen Canada–Ireland academic partnerships and amplify Indigenous perspectives.
• Application Deadline: CLOSED (Monday. May 11 at 6 p.m. EST).

For more information, including eligibility and application details, or to express interest, please contact James Kelly, Chief Executive Officer of the Ireland–Canada University Foundation, at james.kelly@icuf.ie

Mexico, Call for Proposals: Global Affairs Canada has launched the Building Prosperity through Canada–Mexico Academic Collaboration (CMAC) call for proposals.

• Eligible Canadian postsecondary institutions and organizations can apply for up to $250,000 to support joint research, training, partnerships, and mobility with Mexican partners in priority areas such as sustainability, advanced technologies and health.
• Deadline: CLOSED (Thursday, June 11).

Please contact international@ontariotechu.ca for further details. 

• Partner: Politecnico di Torino, Italy
• Duration: seven days (five activity + two travel)
• Dates: Visit dates TBD - funds to be used before July 31, 2028. 
• Application deadline: OPEN (first come first serve)

Notes; Funds will cover travel expenses and provide individual support per day (TBD between €160 and €190)

Interested faculty can contact International@ontariotechu.ca for application details. 

The program provides funding for Chinese Scholars (Full-time teaching or research staff at Chinese universities or other research institutions) to undertake research exchanges in Canada for up to 12 months. 

The program primarily supports research related to Canada studies, with a focus on the social sciences and humanities, and presents an opportunity for Canadian post-secondary institutions to:

• Host visiting scholars from China;
• Strengthen existing institutional partnerships; and
• Foster new avenues for research collaboration and academic exchange.

Institutions are encouraged to share this opportunity with faculty members who may be interested in hosting a Chinese scholar, as well as with partner institutions and counterparts in China who may wish to apply.

The application deadline is Tuesday, June 30 at 14:00 (Beijing Time).

Interested candidates should consult the China Scholarship Council website (Chinese only) for application details: https://www.csc.edu.cn/chuguo/s/4181

Pre-proposal deadline: CLOSED (April)

Fund: Selected projects may receive up to NTD 4.5 million (approximately CAD $200,000) in funding.

About the program:

• Offers flexibility in format—supporting research collaboration, talent exchange, and other innovative models of academic partnership.
• In addition to the existing priority areas—Emerging Technologies (e.g., semiconductors, AI, quantum computing), Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action, Public Health and Biomedical Sciences, Social Innovation and Global Governance, and Humanities and Arts.

Further details can be found here:
https://www.taiwanembassy.org/ca_en/post/19331.html

The University of the Arctic is inviting early-career researchers (within five years of their PhD award, including postdoctoral fellows) from Canadian UArctic member institutions to apply for travel funding support. Applicants must have an accepted abstract for presentation at the Congress. These travel grants are funded by Global Affairs Canada and are available exclusively to Canadian citizens. 

Successful applicants may receive funding (up to a fixed maximum amount) to support:

• Travel
• Accommodation
• Registration costs for active participation in the UArctic Congress 2026 and the Ocean Connectivity Conference.

Application Requirements

To apply, please complete the official application form and include the following attachments:

• A motivation letter in English (maximum one page)
• A letter of recommendation from your supervisor or head of department
• A copy of your abstract acceptance from the UArctic Congress organizer
• A detailed estimate of travel and accommodation costs in Norwegian Kroner (NOK)

Application Deadline: CLOSED (early March)

For any questions, please contact: mobility@uarctic.org

• Session recording: [CLICK HERE]
• Funding opportunities:
  • Canadian UArctic Project Funds – Indigenous and Northern Relationship Development Fund
  • Canadian UArctic Project Funds – Indigenous and Northern Research and Education Engagement Fund(Stream A and B)
  • Travel Support Fund (update): Unfortunately, the next round of Travel Support Funds for faculty/staff will likely not be available until September 2026. There may be support for students to 2026 UArctic Congress in the Faroe Islands in May.

These resources provide further details on the funding streams, eligibility requirements, and application process discussed during the session. Questions can be directed to lisa.goulet@uarctic.org.

• Group Study Visit
• Research Stays for University Academics and Scientists

INDIVIDUAL staff mobility:

• For Norway: UArctic - University of the Arctic - north2north for Norway
  • Application deadline for Spring semester: Thursday, October 1
  • Application deadline for Fall semester: CLOSED (March 1)
• For Canada: UArctic - University of the Arctic - north2north for Northern Canada
  • Application deadline: CLOSED (February 15)

 *Final availability is contingent on confirmed funding by Global Affairs Canada.

Information Session  Recording link provides an overview of how faculty can engage with the UArctic network.  

SHORT-TERM exchange 

• Fill the application form HERE.
• Application deadline: CLOSED (February 15)
• Contact studyabroad@yukonu.ca if you have any questions.

GROUP applications

• Interested organizers can contact studyabroad@yukonu.ca to know more. 
• Application deadline: CLOSED (February 15)

 Program name: Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program

• Funding organization: Government of Canada
• Target audiences: Canadian postsecondary institutions and full-time professors
• Duration: 3 to 8 weeks
• Inclusions: airfare, living expenses, health insurance, visa or work permit fees and other eligible expenses
• Ontario Tech Deadline: CLOSED (November)
• Apply here: 2026-2027 Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program Application

For details please visit the Faculty Mobility for Partnership Building Program.

Questions can be sent to International@ontariotechu.ca.