Mitacs Accelerate supports collaborative research projects with colleges, CEGEPs, and polytechnics (students and faculty) and the organizations that benefit from their expertise. 

MITACS OFFERINGS OPEN TO COLLEGES, INSTITUTES AND POLYTECHNICS

Accelerate
Helps build applied research partnerships with businesses and not-for-profits through internships for students and postdocs. Apply any time for flexible funding — eligible partner organization’s financial contribution starts at $7,500. (minimum student stipend $10,000 per internship unit). NOTE: A 50/50 match on the student stipend is also an option by removing flex funds.

Accelerate Entrepreneur
Funds student entrepreneurs to further develop the research or technology at the core of their start-up business. With the support of an approved incubator, Mitacs funding helps students build their professional entrepreneurial skills, with the goal of commercializing their start-up’s technology, product, or service through funded internships. In short, Accelerate Entrepreneur pays students to grow their start-ups and get to market faster. Mitacs matches the start-up’s investment by 50% and releases a research award to student entrepreneurs through four-month internships, valued at $15,000 per internship.

Business Strategy Internship (BSI with eligibility extended to include “Innovation”)
Provides $10,000 or $15,000 (minimum student stipend $10,000) to develop innovative projects designed to help an organization thrive. Eligible partner organization’s financial contribution is $5,000 or $7,500.

Mitacs Entrepreneur International (MEI) – Mitacs Entrepreneur International offers a travel grant to Canadian start-ups to connect them with host incubators abroad and explore new business development opportunities in international markets. In order to be eligible, start-ups must be housed in an incubator or accelerator linked to a Canadian academic institution.

Explore
Depending on the discipline, eligibility includes college students, undergrad or graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows specializing in quantum, AI, and cybersecurity. Projects are open to businesses of all sizes from small to large. The student will receive a $6,000 stipend for an eight-week (full-time) or 16-week (part-time) project; partner investment is $3,000; applications accepted at any time. NOTE: This is ideal for mature college students holding a university degree. 

Within the Accelerate and BSI programs, please see below the new eligibilities and special offerings: 

Indigenous Pathways (Promotion)
Mitacs’ Indigenous Pathways works with partner organizations to find the right academic talent to achieve their innovation goals. Projects are a minimum of four-months in duration – they can be longer. The partner contribution is only 25% of the cost of projects that have an Indigenous partner organization and/or an intern who is Indigenous.

Hospitals (New Eligibility)
Hospitals are now eligible partner organizations for Accelerate and BSI internships. Whether your partner is a hospital looking to collaborate with experts across myriad disciplines or one of your faculty member’s research could benefit a hospital, Mitacs can help.

Municipal Support (New Eligibility)
Municipalities are now eligible partner organizations for Accelerate and BSI internships. Mitacs connects municipalities of all sizes with post-secondary researchers for innovative projects — from economic development to sustainability, smart cities, cybersecurity, public health, infrastructure and more — ensuring municipalities develop the best public policies to create vibrant and healthy communities.

Joint Mitacs Accelerate-NSERC CCI application eases access to funding for college-based R&D
In partnership with Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the College and Community Innovation (CCI) program, Mitacs is working to expedite applied, research-based solutions that leverage highly qualified personnel (HQP) — students and/or postdoctoral fellows — of Canada’s colleges, CEGEPs, and polytechnics. Those applying for NSERC-CCI’s Applied Research and Development (ARD) grant and the NSERC College and Community Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) can apply for additional support through Accelerate internships as a component of the training of HQPs. NSERC – College and Community Innovation program – Applied Research and Development grants (nserc-crsng.gc.ca).

Open Projects
We are seeking college, graduate students, and postdocs for collaborative projects with industry or not-for-profit partners. This platform enables academic participants to use the filters and search the available projects. Note: The latter have been posted in the language of the industry partner’s choice.

Support Canadian Businesses (SME/NFP Promo-Discount)
For a limited time, Mitacs is increasing its funding for small and medium-size businesses (SMEs) and Not-for-Profits (NFPs). Partners pay only 25% for the first four months of an innovation project done in collaboration with a post-secondary institution. CAN be applied towards BSI, Accelerate and e-Accelerate proposals, as well as to other funding streams. (Some restrictions apply).

Approved incubators
Does your institution house an incubator/accelerator? Contact your local Mitacs Business Development Representative and have it vetted. 

Note: Colleges, CEGEPs and polytechnics that are eligible to receive funding from at least one of the Tri-Agency members (NSERC, SSHRC or CIHR) are eligible for Mitacs programs. The institution must sign a funding agreement with Mitacs. Contact a Mitacs Business Development Representative for details.  

For more information: 

For questions on potential projects, contact a Mitacs Business Development Representative in your area.