Accelerate Fellowship

Businesses across Canada that want to tap into advanced research talent without carrying the full cost often look to Mitacs’ Accelerate Fellowship as a practical solution. Rather than a traditional grant aimed solely at companies, this program connects organizations with Master’s and PhD students who can work on real-world research and development projects aligned with business needs. It’s especially appealing for companies exploring innovation, product development, data analysis, or process improvement but lacking the internal research capacity to move quickly.

Through the Accelerate Fellowship, businesses partner with a Canadian academic supervisor and a graduate-level intern, while Mitacs helps offset project costs through non-repayable funding support that varies based on the scope and duration of the project. The fellowship is flexible and available nationwide, making it relevant for organizations in a wide range of industries, from technology and manufacturing to cleantech, health, and social innovation. Interns also receive professional development training, which helps ensure projects stay on track and deliver practical outcomes for the partner organization.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, allowing businesses to move forward when the timing is right rather than waiting for a narrow intake window. For companies interested in accessing specialized research expertise while sharing costs and risk, learning more about how the Accelerate Fellowship works can help determine whether it’s the right fit for your innovation goals.