
Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship
grant_single|update March 28, 2025
Canada
Funding for R&D collaborations with students
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDate August 23, 2021
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Mitacs
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The Mitacs Business Strategy Internship provides up to $15,000 in funding to support post-secondary students and postdoctoral researchers in driving innovation within Canadian businesses. The program facilitates collaborations that maximize business resources, improve processes, and achieve innovation goals.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
- The Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program offers two funding models: $10,000 or $15,000 per intern.
- In the $10,000 model, the full amount is allocated to the intern's stipend.
- In the $15,000 model, up to $5,000 of the funds may be used for eligible project costs or to top up the intern's stipend, with the minimum stipend being $10,000.
- Partner organizations are required to contribute a minimum of $5,000 in the $10,000 model, or $7,500 in the $15,000 model.
- Funds are released to the academic institution once the partner's contribution is received and the project is approved.
- Mitacs invoices the partner organization upon submission of the project proposal.
- Funds will not be disbursed to the academic institution until after the partner organization has paid their invoice and the proposal is accepted by Mitacs.
- Interns should not begin project work until funds have been disbursed to their academic institution.
- All financial contributions are subject to applicable taxes (GST, HST, QST).
- Academic institutions must submit a financial report to Mitacs once all project funds have been allocated.
grant_single_labels|projects
- Development and enhancement of business innovation components such as marketing, operations, finance, or intellectual property.
- Design and implementation of process efficiencies within partner organizations.
- Creation and improvement of new products or services with collaborating companies.
- Support for innovation strategies focusing on improving partner organization capabilities.
- Projects addressing community challenges through business model innovation.
- Exploration of organizational improvements in collaboration with partner sectors.
- Application of specialized technical skills to support innovation projects.
- Addressing specific organizational needs in process development or service delivery.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 10,000
Enhancing supply chain processes for eco-friendly packaging solutions
$ 10,000
Developing a local sustainable food supply chain project
$ 10,000
Implementing an innovative marketing platform for local artisans
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Business Strategy Internship grant requires partner organizations to meet certain criteria.
- The partner organization must be able to contribute $5,000 to $7,500 towards the intern's award, based on the chosen funding model.
- The partner organization must collaborate with interns and academic supervisors to co-design the project focused on business innovation components.
- The organization should not be associated with any current, active conflicts of interest involving the intern.
- The partner organization and academic institution must reach an agreement on intellectual property rights, aligned with the institution's IP policies.
- The organization must have the capacity to supervise and support the intern for the duration of the internship.
- The project proposed by the organization should not start until the approval letter has been received, and all funds have been processed by Mitacs.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Registered postsecondary students at a Canadian academic institution
- Undergraduate students from any discipline
- Graduate students specializing in various fields
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Recent graduates from colleges and universities within two years of graduation
- Part-time students meeting specific criteria, such as being covered under the institution’s insurance and able to commit to the internship
- Individuals from various faculties or disciplines without restriction
- Students or graduates associated with institutions recognized as Full, Associate, or Honorary partners of Mitacs
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- A portion of the funds can be allocated to eligible project costs, up to $5,000, if the $15,000 funding model is selected.
grant_single_labels|criteria
- The economic and societal benefits of the proposed project, such as the potential impact on the creation or commercialization of Canadian intellectual property or technology, and the improvement of Canadian productivity through new processes.
- The support for the development and deployment of skilled talents, including the training of interns and the development of professional and entrepreneurial skills.
- The establishment and support of collaborations between academia, industry, and communities, facilitating knowledge exchange and fostering partnerships.
- The assessment of the project to ensure that it does not present major risks in terms of feasibility, economic impact, or national security.
- The demonstration of appropriate risk mitigation measures for projects deemed high risk.
grant_single_labels|apply
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
- Interns are encouraged to validate program availability by contacting a local Mitacs Advisor before drafting their application due to limited availability of the Business Strategy Internship.
- Mitacs provides online professional development courses through its e-Campus, EDGE, to enhance interns' skills.
- Partner organizations have the option to select a funding model of $15,000, where up to $5,000 can be allocated for eligible project costs or to top-up the intern's stipend.
- Interns and supervisors are required to meet weekly, either virtually or in-person, to ensure the project's objectives are being met.
- To avoid conflicts of interest, BSI interns cannot have roles of ownership, employment, or influence at the partner organization, nor can they have close relationships with key personnel.
- The release of project funds to academic institutions is contingent upon the partner organization completing its financial obligations to Mitacs.
- Intellectual property (IP) rights generated during the internship will be governed by the policies of the Canadian academic institution involved, with no position taken by Mitacs.
Apply to this program
More grants like this

Other Supportgrant_card_status|open
Sell your innovation to government

Expert Advicegrant_card_status|open
Personalized advisory services for innovators

Partnering and CollaborationGrant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Funding for large-scale genomics projects

Wage Subsidies And Internsgrant_card_status|open
Connect with international IT professionals immigrating to Canada

Researchers And FacilitiesPartnering and Collaborationgrant_card_status|open
Accelerate your path to commercialization

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Financing for natural product innovations

Expert Advicegrant_card_status|open
Support for technological innovation projects

Wage Subsidies And Internsgrant_card_status|open
Interns for startups and SMEs

Wage Subsidies And Internsgrant_card_status|open
Wage subsidies for biologically-based innovation companies

Wage Subsidies And Internsgrant_card_status|open
Subsidy to hire young professionals in STEM