Mitacs and NSERC announce new, streamlined joint application process

Ottawa, ON – Mitacs, a national not-for-profit research and training organization, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) have partnered to streamline applications. Projects will be eligible through Mitacs’ Accelerate program and NSERC’s Collaborative Research and Development grants (CRD).

Mitacs Accelerate connects companies with research-based universities for research internships. Interns transfer their skills from theory to real-world application, while the companies gain a competitive advantage by accessing high-quality research expertise.

NSERC’s CRD grants are intended to give companies that operate from a Canadian base access to the unique knowledge, expertise, and educational resources available at Canadian postsecondary institutions and to train students in essential technical skills required by industry.

Quotes:

Alejandro Adem, CEO and Scientific Director, Mitacs

“This partnership reflects the shared commitment that both Mitacs and NSERC have to support  Canada’s university researchers, each of whom plays a vital role in advancing our country through the development of new ideas, products, services, and technologies.”

B. Mario Pinto, President, NSERC

“NSERC’s partnership with Mitacs enhances our impact in the discovery-innovation ecosystem. We are supporting collaborative R&D projects that deliver on industry-driven priorities, de-risk R&D and help launch the next generation of research talent. Access to cutting-edge expertise and resources ensures that Canadian businesses can innovate, grow and create high-value jobs.”

Background application information:

Applicants must be NSERC-eligible university-based faculty members and must be willing to dedicate highly qualified personnel to work at the partnering company. 

• The project must be focused on research in the natural sciences and engineering sectors;
• The industrial partner must meet the eligibility requirements outlined in NSERC’s Guidelines for Organizations Participating in Research Partnerships;
• The Mitacs Accelerate internships are an additional training component, above and beyond the funding of graduate students in the CRD project; and,
• The project must involve one or more graduate students or postdoctoral fellows who will spend a minimum of two months (per four-month internship) at the company working on the project.

Quick facts:

• Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit organization that has designed and delivered research and training programs in Canada for 16 years.
• Working with 60 universities, thousands of companies, and both federal and provincial governments, Mitacs builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada.

Links:

• For information about Mitacs and our programs, see mitacs.ca/newsroom.
• To learn more about the impact of the Mitacs Accelerate program read our Mitacs Accelerate Industry Survey and our Mitacs Accelerate Longitudinal Survey.

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