The Research Advantage that Helps Canadian Companies Punch Above Their Weight. 

Amid rising production costs, talent shortages, and global trade uncertainty, Canadian businesses face unprecedented pressure to innovate or risk falling behind. Yet many organizations, particularly small and mid-sized enterprises, lack the internal capacity or technical expertise to address complex challenges in-house. 

That’s where research partnerships come in. Since 2018, Mitacs has delivered over 99,000 internships and supported more than 35,000 innovation projects through 3,000+ academic collaborations. Mitacs is more than a funder—it’s a strategic partner driving innovation at scale across Canada. By connecting businesses with academic talent and providing flexible funding, Mitacs helps companies turn operational challenges into research-driven solutions—unlocking new opportunities for growth and innovation. 

Why Partner with a University?

Academic researchers across Canada bring deep technical knowledge, global insights, and access to advanced facilities that many companies may not have internally. Over 7,400 researchers and 25,000 interns engaged in 2023–24 alone show the scale of this advantage. When businesses collaborate with these experts, they can: 

• Solve technical or business challenges using evidence-based approaches. 

• Access specialized expertise and research tools they may not have internally 

• Bring in highly skilled student and postdoctoral talent to build R&D capacity 

• Reduce R&D costs and de-risk innovation through co-funded projects 

• Accelerate time to market by applying cutting edge research directly to business needs 

And the results speak for themselves: According to Statistics Canada, companies that partner with Mitacs report an average 11% boost in productivity, 16% increase in sales, and 18% rise in employment over three years.

Mitacs: Delivering Real-World Impact Through Research

Mitacs is a national innovation organization that advances national priorities in productivity, talent, and economic growth. Funded by the federal and provincial governments, Mitacs bridges academia and industry to advance research partnerships that deliver real-world outcomes. Through Mitacs programs, companies can: 

• Access co-funding to reduce the cost and risk of innovation 

• Connect with academic experts to solve complex technical or strategic challenges  

• Bring in skilled interns or postdocs to advance R&D goals 

• Accelerate product development and process improvements with applied research  

In 2023–24, 86% of Mitacs partner organizations were small and medium-sized enterprises—proving that this model works for businesses of all sizes. 

Which Mitacs Program Is Right for Your Business?

Mitacs Accelerate
Solve R&D challenges with graduate students and postdocs. Projects can range from four months to multi-year collaborations, co-funded by Mitacs. 

Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur
Support for entrepreneurs completing graduate studies or postdoctoral fellowships to grow research-intensive start-ups with the support of academic supervisors and co-funding.

Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI)
Support business-oriented projects such as process optimization, market research, and customer experience improvements. 

Mitacs Globalink
Access to global research networks through collaboration with international experts or by hosting global talent in Canada. 

Real-World Results.

• A manufacturing firm in Ontario reduced production waste by 30% after working with a Mitacs-funded engineering researcher.  

• A cleantech start-up in British Columbia developed and tested a proprietary carbon-capture process with a Mitacs-funded postdoc—leading to a successful patent filing and early-stage investment. Read more: https://www.mitacs.ca/our-projects/enhanced-carbon-capture-in-manipulated-mine-tailings/ 

• A health-tech SME in Toronto refined its go-to-market strategy using market insights generated by Mitacs BSI interns—resulting in a 25% improvement in customer retention. 

In total, 94% of partners report being satisfied or very satisfied with their Mitacs experience. Across Canada, companies of all sizes are achieving tangible outcomes by partnering with Mitacs. Your business could be next.

How to Get Started

1. Identify your business challenge or innovation goal. 
2. Connect with a Mitacs advisor to determine the best-fit program.  
3. Collaborate with a researcher to shape a project with clear outcomes. 
4. Apply for co-funding and launch the initiative.

Final Thoughts 

Innovation is no longer optional—it’s a key lever for growth, resilience, and long-term success. As the pace of change accelerates, Canadian companies need every advantage to stay competitive. 

That’s why more than 11,000 partner organizations have turned to Mitacs to access funding, research expertise, and a nationally scaled platform for industry-academic collaboration. Mitacs-supported businesses are not just keeping up—they’re punching above their weight with measurable results.