For questions about the CREATE MTA programme, you may refer to the answers to the frequently asked questions below.
- Can a student take an equivalent course at the home University?
All graduate MTA trainees are expected to complete short courses for Professional Skills Training (Module B) and Collaboration Training (Module C). In addition to that, Ph.D trainees will also need to take a credit-based course to satisfy the Research Training (Module A). Detailed training requirements can be found on the MTA website under Programs.
While York University provides a variety of courses for all the three modules, only a limited number of the courses may have the online option, which means that a non-York trainee may need to travel to York to take such courses to fulfill the training requirements. We understand that relocation might not be a viable option for some graduate trainees out of York. As a result, the committee advises that CoIs of the non-York trainees propose a list of course substitutes offered at the home university. The MTA administration team will collect such information and send it to NSERC for approval. Non-York trainees can complete approved course substitutes at home university over the years of study funded by MTA.
The deadline for reporting course substitutes will be March 1st.
- Can a student audit a course for Module A rather than take it for credit?
In principle it should be credit based. If a trainee can’t take credit-based courses, he/she may request NSERC’s approval for auditing.
- Is there a quota for international students under MTA?
No
- Do I ask the student to fill up the online application form now or until I know the decision from the department graduation student admission committee?
It might be better to complete the online form after the student is secured to get enrolled in the graduate programme.
- It says “We ask that any MTA student you hire has a guaranteed industry internship during their degree program?” What kind of internships are we talking about?
Mitacs (except Elevate) is acceptable. Other options may be found at #35 at https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Professors-Professeurs/Grants-Subs/CREATEFAQ-FONCERFAQ_eng.asp
- Does it need to be a paid internship?
No, it is not required.
- What is the minimum time/period for the internship?
4 months for M.Sc. and 8 months for Ph.D. students
- Would the internship need to be confirmed during the application process?
It is preferred. The student won't be an eligible MTA trainee to receive the funding, if the internship is not available after the application.
- What is the best resource of information about the CREATE MTA programme for CoIs?
The best resource for most of the common questions can be found on NSERC’s FAQ website about CREATE (https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Professors-Professeurs/Grants-Subs/CREATEFAQ-FONCERFAQ_eng.asp) and the award letter sent to CoIs by email in the beginning of this programme.