
Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur
grant_single|update March 24, 2025
Canada
Money to grow start-ups and get to market faster through funded internships
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|minCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
grant_single|grantors
- Mitacs
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Funds for student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs to further develop the research or technology at the core of their start-up business.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
- Internships valued at $15,000 each, with $7,500 from the partner organization and $7,500 from Mitacs to support research projects.
- Funding flows through the academic institution, with a minimum of $10,000 allocated as a stipend to the student.
- The remaining funds, up to $5,000, may be used to support research-related costs.
- Mitacs does not offer additional funding beyond the standard award, regardless of additional partner contributions.
- No scholarships are available for covering university tuition fees.
- Mitacs funds are disbursed only after the partner organization's contribution is received by Mitacs.
- The academic institution is responsible for holding and disbursing the funding once received.
grant_single_labels|projects
- Piloting and testing a new product, service, or technology.
- Iterating and improving an existing product, service, or technology.
- Development of commercialization strategies for start-ups.
- Budget optimization for start-up operations.
- Professional skill development for student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
- The applicant must be a student or an entrepreneurial postdoctoral researcher.
- The entrepreneur must own and be responsible for the management and/or operation of an incorporated start-up.
- Students and researchers must be affiliated with a college or university partner of Mitacs in Canada.
- The start-up must be hosted in an incubator approved by Mitacs.
- The proposed project must contribute to the development of research or technology at the core of the start-up.
- The start-up must be registered as an incorporated entity to receive funding.
- A university supervisor is required to hold and distribute the funds.
- Consulting firms and full-time employees without ownership or management responsibility are not eligible.
- Partnerships must include a partner organization in Canada, which can be a for-profit or non-profit business, a hospital, or a municipality.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Companies owned by students or postdoctoral fellows incorporated as part of a startup.
- Startups housed in an incubator approved by Mitacs.
- Companies looking to develop and commercialize a new technology, product, or service.
- Startup requiring financial support to test and refine innovative technologies.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- Sole proprietorships and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), as they are not considered incorporated.
- Consulting firms.
- Individuals who are full-time employees without ownership or responsibility for the management and/or operations of the start-up.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- A stipend to the student, with a minimum allocation of $10,000.
- Flexible research expenses up to $5,000 to support research costs.
- Funds are spent in compliance with the Mitacs Use of Funds policy, which follows Tri-Agency eligible expenses guidelines.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
grant_single_labels|criteria
- Does the proposed project qualify as research in its discipline?
- Is the project appropriate for the academic degree level of the intern(s)?
- Are the objectives clear?
- Is the methodology appropriate to achieve the objectives?
- Is the timeline realistic?
- Consideration of prior work relevant to the project.
- Assessment of potential adverse effects on the environment and the necessity for an additional environmental impact review.
grant_single_labels|apply
1
Connect with Mitacs Advisor
- Contact your local Mitacs Advisor to discuss project ideas and confirm your eligibility.
- Ensure your incubator is approved or seek advice on getting it approved if not listed.
2
Prepare Your Proposal
- Download the latest Mitacs Accelerate proposal template and complete it with project details, research methods, and objectives.
- Complete the Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur Conflict of Interest (COI) Declaration Form.
- Obtain a letter of support from your host incubator facility.
3
Collect Required Signatures
- Gather signatures from the intern(s), professor(s), partner contact, and university Office of Research Services or equivalent.
4
Submit Proposal Package
- Email your completed proposal package, which includes the proposal form, COI form, and support letter, to your Mitacs Advisor.
- Ensure submission is complete for prompt peer review.
5
Confirmation and Follow-Up
- Await confirmation from Mitacs regarding the proposal status and further instructions.
- Engage with Mitacs promptly if additional information or revisions are requested.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- Applications are open continuously without a fixed deadline, allowing flexibility for submission when ready.
- Evaluation of applications typically takes six to eight weeks, accommodating flexibility in project commencement.
- If a project needs extension or new objectives, a continuation must be submitted as a new proposal with prior discussion with a Mitacs Advisor.
- Mitacs does not claim any intellectual property from projects it funds; IP terms are determined by the academic institution involved.
- Funding availability for the 2024-2025 fiscal year is limited in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, whereas there are no such restrictions in British Columbia, Yukon, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Indigenous Pathways funding is limited; applicants should contact a Mitacs advisor for details.
- All partner contributions must be received by Mitacs before funds can be released to the academic institution.
- Interns and participating organizations are responsible for adhering to Mitacs's policies on the responsible conduct of research and use of funds.
- Institutions administer funds according to their individual policies under Tri-Agency guidelines, which may include stipends or salaries with potential benefit deductions.
- Internships require active participation from interns, professors, and partner organizations, with set responsibilities before, during, and after the project.
- The Mitacs Accelerate Entrepreneur grant supports activities with potential substantial advancements within a start-up's lifecycle.
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