Halifax, NS, July 22, 2020 — To mitigate the adverse economic impacts of COVID-19, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Mitacs join forces to support college and university students and businesses. The collaboration focuses on the unique value and contribution students and faculty researchers make for COVID-19 economic recovery.
With a $100,000 investment from ACOA for Nova Scotia and $97,500 for Newfoundland and Labrador, the agreement supports 53 Mitacs internships that enable collaborations between businesses and post-secondary institutions. Interns accelerate their research careers while applying innovative solutions to real-world business challenges.
With funding for a four-month intern, businesses gain the unique opportunity to partner with researchers while mitigating the economic impacts of COVID-19. An internship stipend of $15,000 is possible with a $3,750 contribution from a participating business or agency. The funding will be distributed through the Mitacs research internship program.
The goal of this partnership is to continue to drive research and innovation by reducing the costs of collaborations between industry and academia through the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic aftermath.
Since May, Mitacs has announced similar collaborations with national organizations such as NSERC and AGE-WELL; industry-network collaborations such as with ENCQOR; and provincial initiatives such as with Innovate BC. These programs provide direct support for local economic recovery and development, as well as a network of partners across provinces and Canada.
To learn more about the opportunity, please connect with your local Mitacs Business Development representative.
Quotes:
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
“In this era of upheaval, government, academia and industry must work together. Thanks to their partnership with ACOA, Mitacs will be able to give promising young researchers from Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador important opportunities to advance their careers while contributing to the fight against COVID-19. We’ll continue to unite public and private sector efforts as we work to restart our economy and create good jobs for all Canadians.”
John Hepburn, Mitacs CEO and Scientific Director
“Mitacs is delighted to partner with ACOA to enhance innovation in Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. By providing young researchers with opportunities to work with businesses, we are proud to help deploy this talent resource to support economic recovery; together we will mitigate the adverse economic impacts of COVID-19.”
About Mitacs:
- Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation in Canada by solving business challenges with research solutions from academic institutions.
- 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 Yukon Government.
###
