Open
Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship
Innovation internship funding for Canadian businesses
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
$ 10,000
Timeline
- Open Date : August 23, 2021
Location
Canada
Overview
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.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
Timeline
- Open Date : August 23, 2021
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Hospitals and Rehabilitation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- National
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- 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.
Documents Needed
- Project proposal template
- ORS sign-off page
- Completed RAP application
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- For-profit companies
- Hospitals
- Municipalities
- Eligible not-for-profit organizations
Who is not eligible
- Interns with a conflict of interest at the partner organization
Eligible expenses
- Eligible project costs under the $15,000 funding model
- Direct project costs under Tri-Agency guidelines
- Project management expenses, up to 10% of the partner contribution
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Purchases from partner organizations
- Expenses for partner organization personnel
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed for eligibility, completeness, and project quality.
- Mitacs may ask applicants to revise incomplete sections.
- Applicants receive an approval letter if the project is accepted.
- Funds are released to the academic institution after approval and partner payment.
Additional information
- 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.
Documents and links
Frequently Asked Questions about the Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship. 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 — Business Strategy Internship?
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.
How much funding can be received?
Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship Funds up to $10,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship program?
To be eligible for the Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship program, you must:
Canadian partner organization
Eligible intern and supervisor
Project in Canada
What expenses are eligible under Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship?
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.
Where is the Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship available?
The Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship program is available across Canada.
Is the Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship is a Wage Subsidies And Interns
Who are the financial supporters of the Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship?
Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship is funded by Mitacs (MITACS)