Mitacs Accelerate

Insider Tip

The near-100% approval rate for properly-prepared applications means the real work happens BEFORE submission. Invest time in the relationship with your Mitacs advisor — they will tell you if your project qualifies and help shape the proposal to pass peer review. For businesses, the $7,500 partner contribution buys you a funded researcher for 4-6 months, which is extraordinary value. Cluster projects ($6,000/IU) are even better per-unit economics. Start with one IU to prove the collaboration works, then scale to clusters. The program is especially powerful when stacked with NSERC Alliance grants, which can fund the broader research program while Mitacs funds the intern positions.

Rejection Pitfalls 8

• Project lacks genuine research content — routine consulting, IT implementation, or operational work does not qualify
• Intern was previously employed full-time at the partner organization
• Partner organization cannot provide new funds (cannot use existing contracts or in-kind contributions alone)

Success Profile

Canadian for-profit or not-for-profit organization with a genuine R&D challenge that would benefit from academic expertise. Has identified or is willing to work with a faculty supervisor at a Mitacs partner institution. Willing to commit $7,500+ per intern and provide meaningful mentorship/supervision. Project has clear research objectives appropriate to grad-student or postdoc level work. Strongest in technology, life sciences, engineering, and social sciences — but any discipline with a research question qualifies.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals undergo external peer review assessing: (1) whether the project qualifies as genuine research within its discipline, (2) appropriateness for the intern's academic degree level, (3) clearly defined research objectives, (4) suitable methodology, and (5) realistic and achievable timeline. The Mitacs advisor pre-screens proposals before formal submission, which is why the approval rate is near 99%.

Application Steps

Required Documents 9

Eligible Expenses 6

• Intern stipend or salary (minimum $10,000 per internship unit)
• Research equipment and materials (up to $5,000 per IU)
• Travel expenses for research purposes including fieldwork and conferences
• Fees for external consultants providing specialized expertise
• Software licenses required for the research project
• Laboratory supplies and consumables

Ineligible Expenses 5

• Capital construction, building renovations, or major infrastructure
• Administrative overhead not directly tied to the research project
• General marketing, sales, or business development activities
• Routine operational or consulting work without a research component
• Entertainment or hospitality expenses

Intake Periods

Continuous — applications accepted year-round with no fixed deadlines. Submit at least 8 weeks before planned internship start date (16 weeks for projects involving international travel). Provincial budget allocations may create effective waitlists in high-demand regions.

Deadline Notes

Mitacs Accelerate has no fixed deadlines or intake windows. Applications are accepted and reviewed year-round. Submit at least 8 weeks before the planned internship start date (16 weeks for projects involving international travel). Budget availability varies by province — in FY 2024-25, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario had limited funding. As of May 2025, allocation restrictions in Alberta and Ontario have been lifted.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• Organizations outside Canada (except as additional partners with a Canadian co-applicant)
• Sole proprietorships or limited liability partnerships (for the Accelerate Entrepreneur stream)
• Organizations that cannot provide new cash funds (in-kind contributions alone are not sufficient)
• Organizations where the proposed intern is currently a full-time employee

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Low Risk