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 networks, and strengthen their career prospects.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.