Mitacs Accelerate
This guide is retained as dated editorial context. Confirm a current verified intake with the official program operator before taking action.
Current operational facts
Status
Status under review
Review the official source before relying on availability, timing, or funding amounts.
Timing
Confirm in official guidance
Funding
Confirm in official guidance
Being re-verified; check the official source
Open program operator pageOverview
Program availability is currently unavailable or under review.
The guide below preserves dated structure and source context. It does not represent a current offer, application path, or eligibility decision.
Eligibility context
Hard Gates — Must Have
Canadian company
Must be registered and operating in Canada
University partner
Must partner with a Canadian university and supervising professor
Research project
Project must have genuine research questions (not routine development)
Soft Gates — Nice to Have
STEM focus
Science, technology, engineering, or math projects prioritized
Multiple terms
Multi-term internships get smoother renewals
How Much
Current status
Status under review
Timing
Confirm in official guidance
Funding
Confirm in official guidance
Editorial process context
Do not start an application from this guide. Confirm a current intake with the official program operator first.
Find a university partner
Connect with a professor whose research aligns with your project.
Define the project
Write a research proposal with the professor and identify intern candidates.
Submit application
Apply through Mitacs portal with research plan, budget, and professor endorsement.
Review and matching
Mitacs reviews, approves, and matches intern to project.
Internship begins
Intern works on-site or remotely on the research project.
Common Mistakes
Treating interns as free developers
Mitacs interns work on research, not production code. Using them for routine development violates program terms and risks clawback.
Skipping the professor
University supervision is mandatory. No professor = no Mitacs. Find a faculty member whose research interests align with your project.
Not stacking with SR&ED
Mitacs intern work often qualifies for SR&ED claims. The salary you pay (your $15K match) is eligible R&D expenditure.
Related Programs
Program action is unavailable
This program is not currently available for matching. Review the official program operator page for a verified future intake.