Accelerate

For businesses looking to tackle real-world challenges through research and innovation, accessing academic talent can be a game changer. Mitacs Accelerate is designed for organizations across Canada that want to collaborate with post-secondary students and postdoctoral fellows on applied research projects that deliver practical outcomes. Whether you’re refining a product, improving processes, or exploring new technologies, the program helps bridge the gap between academic expertise and industry needs.

Through Accelerate, businesses partner with an academic supervisor and a dedicated intern who works directly on a defined research project. Funding is provided on a cost-shared basis, with Mitacs contributing leveraged, non-repayable support that typically works out to around $15,000 per four- to six-month internship, and higher support for postdoctoral placements. Projects can start small and scale over time, making the program flexible for organizations that want to test an idea first or expand an existing collaboration. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, and reviews are often completed quickly to keep projects moving.

Because the program is open nationally and supports a wide range of industries, Accelerate is a strong fit for both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations seeking research-driven growth. Business owners interested in understanding how projects are structured, what partner contributions look like, and how extensions can support longer-term goals will want to explore the full details before getting started.