Mitacs Accelerate - Special Funding Offer

Mitacs has issued a call for a special funding opportunity with a 2:1 leveraging model under the Accelerate program, targeting four fields of research:

1) Agriculture, Agri-Food, & Aquaculture

2) Biomanufacturing, Biotechnology, and Life & Health Sciences

3) Clean Technology

4) Digital (AI + Quantum + ICT)

Through this special funding offer, a partner contribution of $5000 will leverage $10,000 from Mitacs for a total of $15,000 for each internship unit. A project can consist of up to 50 of these internship units.  See below for more details and conditions of the award.

If you are interested in this offer, reach out to the Office of Commercialization, Industry, and Innovation (OCII) with any questions and/or to initiate the application process. Applications must be submitted in the Romeo Researcher Portal no later than January 26, 2024. However, given that the number of available internships is limited, and the awards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, it is recommended that applicants begin the application process as soon as possible.

OCII Contacts by Faculty

Marc Richard - FSDE, Business and Arts – mrichard@upei.ca

Sandie LeClair – AVC, Education and IKERAS - sleeleclair@upei.ca

Rebecca Mok -  Science and Nursing – rsmok@upei.ca

Target fields

Agriculture, Agri-Food, & Aquaculture -

This sector encompasses the entire agricultural process from farm to table, including crop and livestock production, agricultural biotechnology, food processing, and sustainability practices.  It focuses on improving food security, enhancing nutritional value, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. 

Biomanufacturing, Biotechnology, and Life & Health Sciences -

This sector integrates biological systems, organisms, or derivatives to develop or create different products, including medical therapies, diagnostic tools, and sustainable manufacturing of biological products.

Clean Technology - 

Projects are expected to involve the research, development, or novel implementation of innovative technologies or processes to positively impact land, air, or water.  This includes key areas in the following sectors: transportation, energy generation and storage, waste, and sustainable materials, built environment, agriculture, and food services.

Digital (AI + Quantum + ICT) -

This sector involves the development and application of AI technologies, including machine learning, neural networks, and data analytics, to solve complex problems, automate tasks, and create intelligent systems.

Special funding offer

$15,000 CAD per internship unit (IU): 5,000 CAD partner contribution + 10,000 CAD Mitacs contribution

(partner contribution is subject to applicable taxes)

Conditions

1. Only available under the Accelerate program, excluding Accelerate International.
2. Offer is available for new submissions only.
3. All applications must include named interns to be considered.  Maximum of 6 (six) discounted internship units per named intern at the time of submission.  Interns can have more than 6 internship units.  However, any additional units beyond the first 6 will be at standard funding.
4. Standard funding will apply for any unnamed (To Be Determined: “TBD”) internship units.  TBD internship units will not be eligible for this special offer.  Once students are identified, they remain at standard funding.
5. Total limit of 50 IUs per project (including discounted and standard funding internship units).
6. Post-submission and in-project changes to internship dates and intern replacements will be allowed for the discounted and standard funding units.  No additional internship units will be discounted following submission.
7. Deadline to apply is February 9, 2024.  Offer will end on February 9, 2024, or when we have reached a total number of 3,000 internships, whichever occurs first.  Applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
8. If your project is found to not meet the eligibility criteria for this special offer, Mitacs may be able to approve it under our standard funding model.
9. This offer is subject to change without notice.