Can I travel to multiple eligible target markets?

Yes, applicants may travel to multiple eligible markets as part of an approved travel plan.

Can I apply for multiple Mitacs Entrepreneur International travel grants at the same time?

Yes, applicants can apply for multiple Mitacs Entrepreneur International travel grants at the same time if they wish to take separate trips to explore different international markets. All Mitacs Entrepreneur International program eligibility requirements apply, and each application will be reviewed on its own merits. Check in with the Mitacs Entrepreneur International team for more information on applying for multiple travel grants.

How many travel grants can I apply for?

Companies can apply for up to five (5) Mitacs Entrepreneur International travel grants until March 31, 2026.

Can I have multiple growth goals for my planned business trip?

Yes, your planned business travel must support growth goals in at least one of the following categories: 

• Exploring an international target market
• Seeking international investment
• Scaling up your start-up internationally

Please select one primary growth goal for the application. 

Can I tack on personal travel to my business trip at no cost to Mitacs?

No. All trips must be booked with return air or ground transportation for the purpose of the approved travel plan only.

Are there any limits on the length of my trip?

Trips should be planned to optimize meeting your goals and expected deliverables.  There are no specific trip duration guidelines, but Mitacs anticipates that most trips will be between 2-6 weeks in duration, depending on the target market and travel goals.

I’m still a student. Am I eligible?

All travellers must be full-time equivalent employees, owners or founders of the start-up. All other Mitacs Entrepreneur International program eligibility requirements apply.

Is a consultant, contractor, or intern eligible for travel?

No. All travellers must be full-time equivalent employees, owners or founders of the start-up. All other Mitacs Entrepreneur International program eligibility requirements apply.

Does it matter which sector my start-up is from?

No. We welcome applications from for-profit companies across all sectors. All Mitacs Entrepreneur International program eligibility requirements apply.

Why is Mitacs asking that our Home Incubator contact be a company mentor or advisor?

The Home Incubator is providing a Letter of Support that attests to the applicant’s capacity to benefit from the Mitacs Entrepreneur International travel grant.  In order to assess that accurately, Home Incubator staff need to have sufficient knowledge of the company and its activities to support their assessment. A company’s mentor or advisor at the incubator ensures that Mitacs can be in touch with someone who has comprehensive knowledge of the applicant and their plans for international growth.

Can the travel grant be retroactive for a recent business trip I took or eligible costs I incurred?

No, applicants must have an approved application prior to their departure and related business expenses.

Which Canadian incubators or accelerators are eligible as Home Incubators under the Mitacs Entrepreneur International initiative?

The Mitacs Entrepreneur International initiative offers a travel grant to Canadian start-ups that are housed in an incubator linked to an academic institution for a minimum of three (3) months and a maximum of four (4) years to connect them with host incubators abroad and explore new business development opportunities in international markets. Please contact the Mitacs Entrepreneur International team to determine the eligibility of a specific incubator linked to an academic institution.

I’m interested in a Mitacs Entrepreneur International travel subsidy to support my company’s international growth goals. Can Mitacs help me find an international host incubator?

Mitacs can sometimes help find host incubators for applicants depending on the travel destination. Connect with the Mitacs Entrepreneur International team for more details. Companies must have an international host incubator in an eligible market identified at the time of application submission. Please note that the international host incubator is required to be in the primary region of travel. If you are travelling to the United States, your host incubator is required to be in the same state as travel. Full applications must include: a completed and signed application form by all employees, owners, or founders who will be travelling, a letter of support from the company’s Canadian incubator or accelerator linked to a Canadian academic institution, and a letter of acknowledgement from the international host incubator. The full application package is available on our How to Apply page.

Can Mitacs help me get the necessary travel documents?

Applicants are responsible for obtaining their own travel documents and ensuring that they understand the health, safety and security requirements appropriate for their travel destination.  Required documents may include passports, visas, recommended immunizations, and travel insurance.  Mitacs is unable to assume liability for any losses, such as accidents, illness, or other losses that may occur during the travel period.

Can I participate in multiple Mitacs programs at the same time?

Yes, companies can participate in Accelerate Entrepreneur at the same time as Entrepreneur International.

What happens if my trip changes shortly before I go, or while I’m abroad?

All travellers must report any substantial changes (travel dates, travellers, host incubator, etc.) concerning their approved application immediately to their Mitacs Grant Management Specialist contact, as identified in the Notice of Approval.

Can I apply for a second travel grant while I’m abroad to extend my trip?

Each grant is approved based on the travel objectives and expected deliverables of your trip.  Companies who have been approved for travel grants and are already abroad as part of their approved travel must submit a new application that outlines a new travel budget, expected outcomes, and rationale for the travel, including how the new trip will leverage the results of previous trips.  All Mitacs Entrepreneur International program eligibility requirements apply, and each application will be reviewed on its own merits.  New applications must be submitted at least four (4) weeks prior to travel and travel dates must be after approval of your application.

My application was not approved. What can I do?

Mitacs will work with applicants who meet the eligibility requirements to maximize their success.  Mitacs may request revisions and/or encourage a resubmission after addressing any issues that may have prevented the application from being successful the first time.  Unsuccessful applicants wishing to appeal the decision on their application may send a letter of appeal to the Mitacs Entrepreneur International team.  Appeals must be received within 90 days of the notice of decision and must include the original signed proposal.  Appeals are typically responded to within five business days.

My Mitacs Entrepreneur International application has been approved. When will the travel grant be available?

Mitacs forwards travel grants in two separate installments to the company only after successful applicants have signed and submitted their required documents.

The first installment (80% of approved total amount) is released via EFT or cheque upon receipt of the signed Acceptance Form, as set out in the Notice of Approval. Successful applicants must agree to all terms and conditions set out in the Acceptance Form, and can expect to receive the cheque within 30 days. 

The second installment (20% of approved total amount) is released via EFT or cheque upon receipt of the financial report, as set out in the template provided by Mitacs.  If the actual spending as outlined in the financial report is equal to or exceeds with the approved budget, applicants can expect to receive the second installment within 30 days.

If you have any questions about the Mitacs Entrepreneur International program, please email the Mitacs Entrepreneur International team.