Mitacs and NSERC Renew Partnership that Advances Research and Development

Ottawa, ON — Mitacs and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) have renewed their agreement to continue offering joint initiatives that strengthen research and development (R&D) efforts of Canada’s post-secondary institutions and their partners.

Researchers who are interested in funding from both organizations have access to a streamlined application submission and review process for two initiatives: Mitacs-NSERC Alliance grants and Mitacs-College and Community Innovation (CCI) grants.

With the goal of advancing innovation more quickly while supporting highly qualified personnel, including students and postdoctoral fellows, the extended agreement is valid until March 2026.

Program objectives:

• The Mitacs-NSERC Alliance grants support R&D collaborations between university researchers and partner organizations — including from private, public, and not-for-profit sectors — that create economic, social, and/or environmental benefits to Canada. The initiative seeks to respond to a diverse range of research challenges in the natural sciences or engineering.
• The Mitacs-CCI grants provide partner organizations with access to the unique knowledge, expertise, and capabilities available at Canadian colleges, CEGEPs, and polytechnics. The initiative will train students in essential technical skills required by organizations in the private, public, or not-for-profit sectors. The joint initiative includes the CCI program’s Applied Research and Development and College and Community Social Innovation Fund The renewed agreement further simplifies the process through a new two-step approach for the Mitacs application.

Those interested should contact their local Mitacs Advisor to obtain a joint application form.

Quotes

Dr. Stephen Lucas, CEO, Mitacs

“Mitacs is pleased to extend our partnership with NSERC for another year to support collaborative research partnerships with industry and the development of next-generation talent. This collaboration directly supports highly qualified personnel at universities, colleges, CEGEPs, and polytechnics across the country, as well as the growth, competitiveness, and productivity of Canadian businesses participating in the partnerships.”

Dr. Alejandro Adem, President, NSERC

“NSERC is pleased to renew its partnership with Mitacs as we continue to empower Canadian researchers and innovators and train the next generation of scientists and engineers. Streamlining access to funding and strengthening collaboration between academia and partner organizations builds a path from discovery to real-world impact — helping to deliver economic, environmental, and societal benefits to Canadians.”

About Mitacs

As Canada’s 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.

About NSERC

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada funds visionaries, explorers and innovators who are searching for the scientific and technical breakthroughs that will benefit our country. We are Canada’s largest supporter of discovery and innovation. We work with universities, colleges, businesses and not-for-profits to remove barriers, develop opportunities and attract new expertise to make Canada’s research community thrive. We give Canadian scientists and engineers the means to go further because we believe in research without borders and beyond frontiers.