Visiting Toronto
How research visits with Northern Light members usually work, and how to arrange one.
How visits work
Casual visits are always welcome. If you are passing through Toronto, write to the Northern Light member whose research is closest to yours and come by for a talk or a day of discussions. The programs below provide funding or formal visitor status, and they are arranged through a Toronto host rather than by open application. Begin with an e-mail to a prospective host, who handles the internal process and knows the current timing. Funded visits in recent years have run from about a week to a few months. Visitors are announced in the departments, usually give a talk, and are welcome at group meetings and colloquia.
Dunlap Visitor Program
The Dunlap Institute funds research visits hosted by its members, and Northern Light members can co-host visitors through the program. Each visit has a named Dunlap host, so contact your prospective host first. The institute keeps a public list of past visitors. It is not always current (when we last checked, it ended in late 2024), but it gives a good sense of the length and variety of visits.
CITA Visitor Program
CITA hosts visiting scientists in theoretical astrophysics. Visits are arranged with a CITA host, so write to the member you would like to work with. CITA's site lists current visitors and practical information on travel and reimbursement.
CITA Memoranda of Understanding
CITA holds agreements (MoUs) with partner institutions that support exchange visits in both directions. Most of the agreements fund the visit, typically with the host covering accommodation and local expenses, though the terms vary by partner. If your institute is among them, an MoU exchange is often the most direct option, again arranged with a CITA host. Summaries of the current agreements are on CITA's site.
Mitacs Globalink
Mitacs Globalink funds researchers from abroad at Canadian universities, including U of T and York. The Globalink Research Award supports graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for projects of 12 to 48 weeks under joint home and host supervision, with funding of CA$6,000 per 12 to 24 week unit. The Globalink Research Internship brings international undergraduates to Canada for 12-week summer projects. Northern Light members can host through both programs, so agree on a project with your host first and then apply through Mitacs.
Northern Light Visitor Program
Northern Light is preparing its own visitor program. Terms will be announced here. Until it opens, visits are arranged through the programs above, and the coordinators can advise on which one fits your plans.
Not sure who to write to?
See People for members and their research areas, or contact the coordinators at the address in the footer. We are happy to help you find the right host.