Mitacs Business Strategy Internship: How to Apply

If your business needs help with market research, planning for growth, or improving operations, the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI) can provide funding for a skilled intern to work on real business challenges. The program connects Canadian businesses with post-secondary talent and academic expertise. Mitacs shares the cost of the project with you.

This guide explains how to apply for the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship, what Mitacs expects, and how to avoid common delays.

How the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship Works

The Mitacs Business Strategy Internship supports projects focused on innovation and business improvement in Canada. Your business hosts an intern who is supervised by a faculty member from a Canadian post-secondary institution. Mitacs helps manage and fund the internship.

Core eligibility requirements

Before applying, make sure you have all three required participants:

Partner organization (your business or organization)
- Must be based in Canada and host the project in Canada.
- Can be a for-profit company, eligible not-for-profit, municipality, or hospital.
- For-profit companies must receive more than 50% of their funding from non-government sources.
Intern
- Can be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or international student.
- Must be eligible under Mitacs rules and cannot have a conflict of interest with the partner organization.
Academic supervisor
- Must be faculty at a Canadian post-secondary institution.
- Must be eligible to hold Tri-Agency research funding.

If you are missing any of these, you cannot apply.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship

1. Confirm project fit and timing

Your project must focus on business strategy or innovation needs, such as:

Market or competitive analysis
Growth or commercialization strategy
Operational or process improvement
New business model development

Projects must take place in Canada. Do not start any work before approval if you expect to receive funding.

2. Contact a Mitacs Advisor early

Mitacs recommends contacting a local Mitacs Advisor before you begin your application. Advisors can help you check eligibility, funding details, and intern fit. This can help you avoid mistakes that lead to rejection.

3. Apply through the Mitacs Registration and Application Portal (RAP)

All applications must be submitted through the Mitacs Registration and Application Portal (RAP). The proposal template is provided in the portal. You can also download a copy.

You need to create or access a RAP account for everyone involved.

4. Prepare the required proposal content

Your proposal must explain:

The project background and business challenge
The objectives and expected outcomes
The approach and methods you will use
The timeline and deliverables
The roles and responsibilities of the intern, academic supervisor, and your organization
Intellectual property (IP) and data ownership terms, agreed to by everyone

Mitacs reviewers look for quality, clarity, and a realistic plan—not just eligibility.

5. Review compliance and conflict of interest rules

Mitacs has strict conflict of interest (COI) rules:

Interns cannot have a conflict of interest.
Any COI for the academic supervisor or partner organization must be fully disclosed for review.

If you miss or do not clearly explain a conflict, your approval could be delayed or denied.

6. Set a compliant project start date

Your proposed start date must be at least 6 weeks after you submit your application. Mitacs will not pay for any work done before funding approval.

Many applications are delayed because the start date is too soon.

7. Wait for adjudication

Mitacs reviews all applications for eligibility, completeness, and quality. If your file is incomplete or ineligible, you may hear back within about 4 weeks.

If your application is approved, Mitacs will send you instructions for setting up funding and launching the project.

GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and business type before you spend time on a full Mitacs application.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Starting the project too early

Any work done before approval will not be funded, even if you are approved later.

Missing the 6-week buffer

If your start date is too soon, you will have to revise your application. This slows down approval.

Unclear intern role

Mitacs expects a clear and specific work plan for the intern. The intern should not be doing general admin work.

Ignoring IP discussions

If the business and academic institution do not agree on IP terms, approval can be delayed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much funding does the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship provide?
Funding depends on your project. Mitacs usually shares the project costs with your business.

Q: Can startups apply for the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship?
Yes. Startups can apply if they meet the for-profit funding rules and can host the project in Canada.

Q: How long is a Business Strategy Internship?
The internship length depends on your approved project plan and deliverables. You set this in your application.

Q: Can international students be interns?
Yes. International students can join if they meet Mitacs eligibility rules and are enrolled at a Canadian institution.

Q: What happens if my application is incomplete?
Mitacs may contact you in about four weeks to request changes or let you know if your file is ineligible.

Next Steps

The Mitacs Business Strategy Internship is a practical way to get expert support for business projects while sharing the cost. Before you apply, use GrantHub’s program search to compare hundreds of active grant and internship options across Canada and see which ones fit your needs.

See also:

What Business Expenses Are Eligible Across Canadian Grants and Loans?
Repayable vs Non-Repayable Business Funding in Canada: Program Examples Explained

Mitacs Business Strategy Internship: How to Apply