Call for Nominations Open: Mitacs Innovation Awards 2025

Prestigious ceremony that recognizes groundbreaking Canadian research now in its 15th year.

Vancouver, BC – Mitacs is opening calls for nominations today for its prestigious national award celebrating Canadian research and innovation, The Mitacs Innovation Awards – among the first of its kind in Canada as it enters its 15th year.

Each year, Mitacs recognizes extraordinary talent from across the country whose groundbreaking discoveries drive innovation and propel economic prosperity in sectors such as health and life sciences, agritech, and energy.

The awards ceremony will highlighting eight exceptional innovators — from students to enterprise partners — whose impactful work is made possible through partnerships with Mitacs. The prizes include an honour for a standout Mitacs graduate who has founded their own start-up or company.

Nominations for the Mitacs Innovation Awards are now open for the following categories:

• Outstanding Innovation: Recognizes four individual Mitacs program participants (students or postdocs) whose research shows exceptional potential for broader societal or economic impact.
• Inclusive Innovator of the Year: Recognizes a Mitacs program participant who is advancing equity and inclusion within Canada’s innovation ecosystem.
• Canadian Start-Up Innovator of the Year: Celebrates a Mitacs participant who has successfully launched a start-up, converting innovative research into business success and market impact.
• Canadian Enterprise Innovator of the Year: Recognizes a Mitacs industry partner whose visionary leadership and collaborative approach demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing Canadian innovation.

The nomination period runs from August 19 – September 16, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The awards ceremony will take place on November 18, 2025, and all winners will be invited to join at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. More details on how to submit a nomination can be found here.

Mitacs has supported Canadian innovation through funding and mentorship for more than 25 years, connecting businesses with top-tier research talent. Mitacs supports the transition from research to product development, while building pathways to careers in innovation for Canada’s exceptional talent.

Mitacs programs are supported by funding from the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments across the country.

Quotes

 

“Mitacs is excited to launch its Innovation Awards nomination process, designed to recognize and celebrate the outstanding talent and achievement across Canada. The award winners each year are an outstanding group of students, business, and academic partners who demonstrate excellence and global impact in helping to make Canada more prosperous and competitive.”

Dr. Stephen Lucas, CEO, Mitacs 

About Mitacs

As a leading Canadian innovation organization, Mitacs connects businesses and researchers with unrivalled access to talent, financial support, and the partnerships needed to turn ideas into impactful innovations. Through unique collaborations, Mitacs is driving productivity and positioning Canada as a global innovation leader. 

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.