Mitacs Accelerate Program: A Complete Guide for Researchers & Industry Partners
The Mitacs Accelerate Program is widely recognized as Canada’s flagship initiative for collaborative research and innovation, serving as a cornerstone in linking academia with industry and community-driven needs. Since its inception in 2004, the program has facilitated tens of thousands of internships across multiple disciplines, offering researchers a unique opportunity to move beyond the boundaries of traditional academic work and engage directly with partners in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. What makes Accelerate particularly impactful is its ability to function as both a training ground for future innovators and a catalyst for organizational growth. Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and recent graduates are placed at the intersection of theory and practice, where they apply advanced research skills to solve pressing real-world challenges ranging from clean technology and artificial intelligence to healthcare, manufacturing, and community development.
By providing a co-funding model, the program significantly reduces the financial barriers organizations typically face when accessing high-level academic expertise. For every contribution made by a partner, Mitacs matches the investment, ensuring that projects are adequately resourced while interns receive meaningful stipends and professional exposure. This balance allows companies and non-profits to pursue ambitious R&D projects at reduced cost, while young researchers gain hands-on experience, expand their
Today, Mitacs Accelerate stands as one of the most trusted and accessible pathways for nurturing research talent in Canada’s knowledge economy. It not only enriches academic training but also drives innovation ecosystems by connecting ideas, industries, and institutions—laying the foundation for discoveries that directly benefit Canadian society and global competitiveness.
Mitacs Accelerate empowers graduate and postdoctoral researchers to innovate with Canadian industry and non-profit partners. Through co-funded internships, participants gain real-world research experience while helping organizations tackle R&D challenges. The program bridges academia and innovation—driving discovery, career growth, and economic impact.
This guide explores the program in depth: eligibility, funding models, application process, benefits, and success stories.
Program Overview
The Mitacs Accelerate Program operates on internship units that last 4–6 months. Each unit matches an intern with a partner organization to work on applied research.
Standard internship: Partner invests CAD 7,500, matched by Mitacs for a CAD 15,000 award.
Postdoctoral fellowship: Partner invests CAD 10,000, matched by Mitacs for a CAD 20,000 award.
The funding model makes it highly cost-effective for organizations, while ensuring researchers are compensated for their work.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Supervisors
Must be faculty members at a Canadian university.
Must be eligible to manage Tri-Agency or equivalent grants.
Partner Organizations
Canadian for-profit businesses with majority private funding.
Non-profits, hospitals, municipalities, and government entities (when applicable).
International organizations as secondary partners (must include a Canadian host).
Interns
Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, or recent graduates from Mitacs-affiliated institutions.
Postdocs must have earned their PhD within the last five years (exceptions for career breaks).
Both Canadian and international students are eligible, provided they hold valid status in Canada.
Funding Models & Structure
Standard Internships
Partner contribution: CAD 7,500
Total award: CAD 15,000
At least CAD 10,000 stipend for the intern; the rest can fund project expenses.
Postdoctoral Internships
Partner contribution: CAD 10,000
Total award: CAD 20,000
Flexible use for advanced research, salaries, and operational costs.
Large-Scale & Multi-Unit Projects
Projects with six or more units may qualify for reduced partner contributions (as low as CAD 6,000/unit).
Encourages multi-year, multi-intern collaborations in strategic research areas.
Example Funding Scenario
If a company engages three graduate students for 8 months (two units each):
Partner invests CAD 45,000 total.
Mitacs matches, providing CAD 45,000 more.
Combined award: CAD 90,000 for research, stipends, and outcomes.
Benefits of Mitacs Accelerate
I. For Interns & Researchers
Gain hands-on experience in applied research.
Develop industry-relevant skills (project management, problem-solving, communication).
Secure stipends while building networks.
Enhance employability in academia, industry, and start-ups.
II. For Partner Organizations
Access to highly skilled researchers at reduced cost.
Support innovation with shared financial responsibility.
Leverage university expertise without hiring full-time staff.
Opportunities to test new ideas with low risk.
III. For Universities & Supervisors
Strengthen industry–academia partnerships.
Create pathways for research commercialization.
Diversify funding and grant portfolios.
Expand opportunities for students and early-career researchers.
Application Process
Identify a Partner Organization
Secure Academic Supervisor
Co-develop Research Proposal (goals, deliverables, methods, timelines).
Submit Application Online (continuous intake).
Review Period – usually 6–8 weeks.
Launch Project – Interns split time between the partner site and university.
Intern Experience
Interns usually divide their time:
50% at Partner Organization – developing solutions, applying methods, delivering outcomes.
50% at University – academic supervision, theoretical rigor, and training.
This dual approach ensures research excellence while keeping projects aligned with industry needs.
Projects can last one unit (4 months) or expand to multi-year initiatives across several interns.
Program Variants
Mitacs Accelerate International – supports cross-border projects.
Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur – for student/postdoc start-ups in incubators.
Sector-Specific Offers – enhanced support in AI, clean energy, life sciences, and more.
Strategic Impact
Mitacs Accelerate aligns with Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan, helping build a competitive economy through R&D investment. It supports:
Clean technology & climate solutions
Artificial intelligence & digital transformation
Health sciences & biotech innovation
Advanced manufacturing & smart materials
With over 80,000 internships delivered, Accelerate continues to drive innovation and workforce development across sectors.
Success Stories
Mercedes-Benz Canada used Accelerate interns to advance fuel-cell technology.
Durston Honey Farms integrated smart beehive monitoring systems.
Canfor applied research for climate modeling in forestry.
Two Hat Security leveraged interns for AI-based content moderation.
These highlight how industry partners and interns co-create impactful solutions.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Mitacs Accelerate |
| Host Country | Canada |
| Funded By | Mitacs + partner contributions |
| Duration | 4–6 months per unit |
| Study Mode | Hybrid: University & Partner Organization |
| Eligibility | Graduate students, postdocs, recent grads, Canadian partners |
| Funding Support | CAD 15,000 (student), CAD 20,000 (postdoc) |
| Partner Contribution | CAD 7,500 (student), CAD 10,000 (postdoc) |
| Intern Stipend | Minimum CAD 10,000 |
| Application Cycle | Continuous intake (6–8 weeks review) |
| Program Variants | International, Entrepreneur, Special Sector Offers |
Official Website: Click Here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Mitacs Accelerate Program connects graduate students and postdocs with industry and non-profits to conduct applied research projects with co-funding support.
Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and recent graduates from eligible Canadian universities can apply with an academic supervisor and partner organization.
Mitacs Accelerate provides CAD 15,000 for graduate internships and CAD 20,000 for postdoctoral projects per 4–6 month unit.
Each project unit lasts four to six months. Researchers may combine multiple units to extend projects up to several years.
Yes. International students enrolled at eligible Canadian institutions with valid legal status can participate in Mitacs Accelerate internships.
Applicants must identify a partner organization, secure an academic supervisor, prepare a proposal, and submit it for Mitacs review.
Partner organizations contribute CAD 7,500 for graduate projects or CAD 10,000 for postdoctoral projects, which Mitacs matches.
Mitacs Accelerate supports diverse sectors, including clean technology, artificial intelligence, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and community development.
Interns split their time between the partner organization and university, ensuring both academic research and practical industry experience.
Applications are accepted year-round, with reviews typically taking six to eight weeks before project approval.
