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Source verified September 2, 2026
Mitacs — Accelerate Fellowship
Long-term research internships for master’s and PhD students
Latest source updateLast Update: October 13, 2026Latest change: Mitacs has published updated Accelerate proposal-writing guidance that adds more detailed instructions for proposal content, assessment, partner interaction, and revised submissions.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: October 13, 2026
Latest change: Mitacs has published updated Accelerate proposal-writing guidance that adds more detailed instructions for proposal content, assessment, partner interaction, and revised submissions.
Mitacs Accelerate proposal guidance updated
Mitacs has newly published September 2026 Accelerate proposal guidelines that expand the required content and assessment expectations for proposals. The guide adds detailed instructions for the project summary, context, objectives, timeline, methodology, partner interaction, Indigenous involvement, and revised proposals, and it clarifies that Accelerate proposals must generate relevant new knowledge rather than be consulting or purely development-based projects. The updated guidance also emphasizes reviewer-friendly titles and keywords, clear partner and intern roles, complete references, and stronger explanations of feasibility, benefits, and supervision. For revised proposals, applicants are now told to highlight changes and include a cover letter summarizing the revisions and responses to comments.
Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Faculty at Canadian academic institutions that are eligible to hold Tri-Agency funds.
See full eligibility
Overview
Mitacs Accelerate Fellowship provides $15,000 per four-to-six-month unit for master’s and PhD students in Canada to support long-term research internships. Recipients may also access professional development training, with eligible support covering research internships, internship-related training, and research costs.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Conduct research and development activities
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Professional development training that helps recipients ensure project success and gain in-demand career skills.
Documents Needed
- Accelerate proposal
- Intern CV
- Supporting documents required by your university or province
Official resources
Program guide
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Faculty at Canadian academic institutions that are eligible to hold Tri-Agency funds.
- For-profit corporations that receive more than 50% of their funds from non-government sources, eligible not-for-profit corporations, municipalities, and hospitals in Canada.
- For-profit businesses and not-for-profit corporations operating outside Canada as additional partners on projects with a Canadian partner organization.
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, international students with a student visa, and international postdoctoral fellows with a valid work permit.
- Registered students and postdoctoral fellows at Mitacs partner colleges and universities in Canada, as well as recent graduates, non-degree students, and visiting students or researchers at the discretion of the Canadian institution.
Who is not eligible
- Interns may not participate in more than one internship at the same time.
- Interns who were already employed full-time at the partner organization before applying are not eligible.
- The program cannot support internships where the intern would do work they were previously doing as an employee or contractor.
- Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible at organizations where they have already been a full-time employee, except in cases of part-time or very short-term employment that Mitacs may consider.
- Part-time students are not eligible for Accelerate internships that include international travel.
Eligible expenses
- Research costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- University tuition fees
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- Outside Canada, as additional partner organizations on projects with a Canadian partner organization
Selection criteria
- The proposed project must qualify as research in its discipline and may make new contributions or solve an existing problem using novel techniques.
- The proposed objectives must be well defined and reasonable.
- The methodology must be well defined, sufficiently detailed, and appropriate to achieve the objectives.
- The work plan must be feasible based on the proposed timeline and available resources.
- The internship must be an appropriate learning and development opportunity for the intern(s), and proposals are also assessed for research security alignment, benefits to Canada, partner organization capacity, conflict of interest management, and compliance with the Indigenous Research and Innovation Policy.
How to apply
- Review the following information when you begin writing your proposal: Mitacs Responsible Conduct of Research Policy, adjudication criteria, Writing Your Proposal guide, and other policies if applicable.
- Get feedback on the proposal from all participants and your Mitacs Advisor.
- Collect all required signatures: intern(s), professor(s), partner contact, and university Office of Research Services or equivalent.
- Email your proposal package to your Mitacs Advisor.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are peer reviewed, which takes approximately six to eight weeks.
- Applications may be returned with a request for revisions before approval.
- After submission, partner organizations receive an invoice, which is refundable if the application is not approved.
- Once an outcome is available, Mitacs contacts all participants with the decision and applicable instructions.
- Following formal approval and receipt of the partner contribution, Mitacs forwards the funds to the academic institution; no work should begin until an Award Letter has been issued and funds have been distributed to the institution.
Additional information
- All other Accelerate program guidelines apply.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mitacs — Accelerate Fellowship Program
What is the Mitacs — Accelerate Fellowship?
Mitacs Accelerate Fellowship provides $15,000 per four-to-six-month unit for master’s and PhD students in Canada to support long-term research internships. Recipients may also access professional development training, with eligible support covering research internships, internship-related training, and research costs.
How much funding can be received?
Mitacs — Accelerate Fellowship Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Mitacs — Accelerate Fellowship program?
To be eligible for the Mitacs — Accelerate Fellowship program, you must:
Academic supervisors must be faculty at a Canadian academic institution eligible to hold Tri-Agency funds.
Partner organizations must be eligible for-profit corporations, eligible not-for-profit corporations, municipalities, or hospitals in Canada.
Interns must meet the page’s age, citizenship, residency, and academic-status conditions.
What expenses are eligible under Mitacs — Accelerate Fellowship?
Professional development training that helps recipients ensure project success and gain in-demand career skills.
Where is the Mitacs — Accelerate Fellowship available?
The Mitacs — Accelerate Fellowship program is available across Canada.
Is the Mitacs — Accelerate Fellowship a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Mitacs — Accelerate Fellowship is a Grant and Funding