The Elevate program invites applicants to apply twice a year. For each competition, there is a date specified by which the project needs to commence. Candidates applying to any of these competitions must start their project within the specified time frame; if candidates apply prior to completing ALL the requirements for their PhD degree (e.g., successful defense, final deposit, and sign off of dissertation), they should be reasonably confident that they will have completed their degree and be able to start their project within the specified time frame. Otherwise, applicants are encouraged to wait for the next competition.
A Mitacs Elevate Fellowship is a comprehensive program with a range of components designed to provide advanced training to enhance the professional and R&D management skills required for the fellow’s chosen career. As such, during the tenure of the award, the fellow is expected to:
- Meet with their academic supervisor and partner supervisor at the beginning of the fellowship to agree on the research plan
- Work with and receive mentorship from their academic supervisor at the academic institution
- Spend at least 50% of the fellowship working at the industry partner on-site on a research project of mutual interest
- Organize monthly status meetings with the academic and partner supervisors
- Remain a PDF of their host academic institution and shall not be an employee of the partner organization
- Work with Mitacs personnel to develop and implement a personalized training program to enhance their future career
- Spend from one to two days per month on training and/or networking activities
- Attend mandatory professional skills & research management training events facilitated by Mitacs and complete follow-up activities through the Elevate online learning portal
- Participate in the Mitacs Ambassador program as appropriate
- Submit all signed, required documentation by Mitacs and its funding partners, including, but not limited to, mid-term reports, final reports, and surveys.
Please note: Partner contributions must be received by Mitacs and academic institution funds transfers (if applicable) must be confirmed BEFORE any funds are awarded to the academic institution. Costs can only be incurred after research approval of the proposal AND the receipt of the partner funds at Mitacs as per Mitacs Policy. Fellows starting their project before this time do so at their own risk.
The supervising professor is expected to:
- Provide ongoing mentorship and research support to the fellow
- Meet with and provide research expertise to the partner organization, as appropriate
- Assume fiduciary responsibility for the fellowship research grant, including ensuring expenditures consistent with program objectives & guidelines
- Participate in status meetings as necessary during the project
- Support the fellow’s professional training by allowing them to attend the mandatory Mitacs Elevate professional and research management training sessions
- Attend relevant Mitacs Elevate program events
- Sign off the final report to be submitted at the conclusion of the project
- Provide appropriate financial reporting and program feedback to Mitacs, as required by its funding partners, including a mandatory online feedback survey within one month of project completion
Please note: Partner contributions must be received by Mitacs and academic institution funds transfers (if applicable) must be confirmed, BEFORE any funds are awarded to the academic institution. Costs can only be incurred after research approval of the proposal AND the receipt of the partner funds at Mitacs as per Mitacs Policy.
A primary contact at the partner organization must be identified and is expected to:
- Ensure the partner’s financial contribution is forwarded to Mitacs in advance of the fellowship start date. Please note that delay in sending payment will result in delay of the PDF receiving funding and starting the project as Mitacs cannot release funds until the partner organization’s payment is received.
- Partner organizations will receive an invoice before the announcement of results. This invoice is due upon receipt so that the fellow’s payment can be processed in time for the project start date. If, for any reason, the fellowship cannot proceed, Mitacs will refund the payment.
- Assist the fellow with identifying appropriate research issues and developing a research plan
- Ensure that the company provides in-kind support, including hosting the fellow on-site at their facilities for at least 50% of the research project (exceptions with justification can be a minimum of 25%); providing supervision and guidance on the project; and helping the fellow make connections within the company and/or industry
- Support the fellow’s professional training by allowing them to attend the mandatory professional and research management training sessions and participating in training activities when appropriate
- Attend relevant Mitacs Elevate program events
- Provide program feedback on the program to Mitacs, as required by its funding partners, including telephone or email surveys
- Provide feedback on the fellow’s final report and sign off on the final report to be submitted at the conclusion of the project.
Please note: Partner contributions must be received by Mitacs and academic institution funds transfers (if applicable) must be confirmed, BEFORE any funds are awarded to the academic institution. Costs can only be incurred after research approval of the proposal AND the receipt of the partner funds at Mitacs as per Mitacs Policy.