Mitacs Program Eligibility for Canadian Businesses

If your business needs research support but you don’t have a full R&D team, the Mitacs program can help. Mitacs connects Canadian businesses with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professors. The program shares the cost of applied research, making it easier for companies to access top talent. The most popular option for companies is Mitacs Accelerate (Business), which funds short-term research internships that address your business needs.

This guide explains who is eligible for Mitacs, what the program looks for, and how to check if your business should apply.

Who Can Apply to the Mitacs Accelerate Program?

Mitacs Accelerate (Business) is open to many Canadian organizations, but you must follow some clear rules.

Eligible Business Types

To qualify, your organization must:

Be a for-profit corporation with more than 50% of funding from non-government sources
Be an eligible not-for-profit organization
Be a municipality or hospital
Be an Indigenous organization (under certain pathways)

International companies cannot apply on their own. They may join as an extra partner, but there must always be a Canadian lead.

Project Participation Requirements

Every Mitacs Accelerate project needs three key parties:

A Canadian business or organization (the partner)
An academic supervisor at a Canadian post-secondary school who can hold Tri‑Agency funding (grants from Canada’s main research agencies)
An intern, who can be:
- A graduate or undergraduate student
- A postdoctoral fellow
- In some cases, a recent graduate

The research must take place in Canada and should match your business goals.

Mitacs is a cost‑sharing program. It does not pay for everything, so it’s important to know how the funding works.

How Much Funding Is Available?

Each internship unit is usually 4 or 6 months long
Mitacs typically provides $15,000 per internship unit, with variations depending on the specific program and project

You can stack or extend internship units if your project needs more time.

What Does Your Business Pay?

Your business must make a cash contribution per intern, paid to Mitacs. This money helps cover:

The intern’s stipend
Project and research costs
Academic supervision

Mitacs does not cover all project costs. In-kind support alone is not enough.

To see if your business structure and budget fit Mitacs rules, use tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher before you start planning your project.

What Projects Are Eligible for Mitacs?

Mitacs Accelerate supports applied research projects. These projects should go beyond regular day-to-day work.

Examples of eligible projects:

Creating or improving products and processes
Data analysis and modelling
Market or user research that involves research methods
Testing or validating new technology
Improving operations or workflows

Projects must create new knowledge or adapt existing ideas. Routine tasks or basic staffing do not qualify.

How Is Mitacs Accelerate Different From Other Mitacs Programs?

Some businesses mix up Mitacs Accelerate with other Mitacs programs.

Mitacs Accelerate (Business) supports R&D and applied research
Mitacs Business Strategy Internship supports business strategy, operations, and commercialization. It can fund larger projects, with grants from $10,000 up to $1.5 million, covering up to 75% of costs

If your project is more about strategy than research, the Business Strategy Internship might be a better fit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Thinking Mitacs is a wage subsidy
Mitacs pays for research, not general hiring. Projects must have a research focus or they may be rejected.
Not checking academic eligibility early
Your academic supervisor must be able to hold Tri‑Agency funding (grants from Canada’s main research agencies). Check this before you design your project.
Forgetting about the cash contribution
Your business must pay cash per internship unit. Missing this can delay or stop your application.
Trying to run the project outside Canada
All research must take place in Canada, even if your company works in other countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do startups qualify for the Mitacs program?
Yes. Startups can apply if they are incorporated in Canada and get more than half their funding from non‑government sources.

Q: Can international students be hired as Mitacs interns?
Yes. Interns can be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or international students enrolled at Canadian schools.

Q: Can Mitacs Accelerate be combined with SR&ED?
Often, yes. But grant stacking and tax rules depend on your case. Always check with your accountant and Mitacs advisor.

Q: Is Mitacs funding taxable income for my business?
Mitacs funding is usually seen as assistance and may affect tax credits like SR&ED. Get professional tax advice.

Q: How long does approval take?
Timelines vary, but plan for several weeks for project planning, academic sign‑off, and Mitacs review.

GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada, including Mitacs and other research partnerships. You can check which ones fit your business profile.

Next Steps

Mitacs program eligibility for Canadian businesses depends on three things: having a real research problem, finding a qualified academic partner, and being able to share project costs. If you meet these conditions, Mitacs Accelerate can help you increase your R&D capacity without long-term risk.

Ready to move forward?

Review your research needs and check for a strong academic partner.
Confirm your business type and cash contribution ability.
Use GrantHub to compare Mitacs with other programs that match your industry, province, and growth stage.

For more planning, see:

What Business Expenses Are Eligible Across Canadian Grants and Loans?
Repayable vs Non-Repayable Business Funding in Canada: Program Examples Explained
Tax Credits vs Grants for Employee Training in British Columbia

Explore your options and find the right support for your next big project.

Mitacs Program Eligibility for Canadian Businesses