Closed
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 7,500
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Canada
Overview
Mitacs supports student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs to commercialize technologies, products, or services tied to their start-ups. The program funds internships worth $15,000 each to help develop core research or technology and move projects toward market readiness.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop a new product or service
- Develop an online presence
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 7,500 $
- Minimum amount : 7,500 $
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Testing and refining new technologies, products, or services
- Improving existing technologies, products, or services
- Commercializing start-up research or technology
- Extending the timeline of an approved project
Documents Needed
- Completed Mitacs proposal form
- Conflict of interest declaration form
- Letter of support from the host incubator
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Student entrepreneurs
- Postdoctoral entrepreneurs
- Recent graduates
- Incorporated start-ups hosted in a Mitacs-approved incubator
Who is not eligible
- Consulting firms
- Full-time employees without ownership or management responsibility
- Sole proprietorships
- Limited liability partnerships
Eligible expenses
- Student stipend funding
- Research-related project costs
- Project expenses managed through the academic institution
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by at least two external experts.
- Mitacs evaluates the proposal’s research quality, objectives, methodology, feasibility, and learning value.
- Mitacs also reviews proposals for research security considerations and possible environmental impacts.
Additional information
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur?
Mitacs supports student and postdoctoral entrepreneurs to commercialize technologies, products, or services tied to their start-ups. The program funds internships worth $15,000 each to help develop core research or technology and move projects toward market readiness.
How much funding can be received?
Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur Funds up to $7,500 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur program?
To be eligible for the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur program, you must:
The start-up must be incorporated.
The project must advance the start-up’s core technology or research.
The start-up must be hosted in an approved incubator.
What expenses are eligible under Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur?
Testing and refining new technologies, products, or services
Improving existing technologies, products, or services
Commercializing start-up research or technology
Extending the timeline of an approved project
Where is the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur available?
The Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur program is available across Canada.
Is the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur is a Wage Subsidies And Interns
Who are the financial supporters of the Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur?
Mitacs — Accelerate Entrepreneur is funded by Mitacs