Sponsor
Mitacs
Program
Accelerate
Description
As of February 2025: A limited number of Accelerate internship units are still available, on a first-come, first-served basis, for Accelerate applications fully reviewed by Mitacs and the Research Services Office, and submitted to Mitacs no later than March 31, 2025.
Due to changes in the federal funding landscape and unique situations across several provinces, institutions based in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario are being impacted by Mitacs funding constraints. In Ontario, there will be a significant reduction of available funding in 2024- 2025 for the Accelerate program, which includes the joint Mitacs applications with Tri-Agency programs.
Taking into account the level of federal funding to Mitacs, provincial considerations, and the average use of the Accelerate program by each institution, Mitacs has determined a maximum number of Accelerate Internship Units for each university.
The University of Guelph previously received a limit of 120 Accelerate Internship Units allowable within the current fiscal year (April 1, 2024 through to March 31, 2025). This limit equates to just over half of the average annual activity relative to prior years. Effective immediately, requirements will need to be met to access part of this allowance.
For researchers with existing projects, please note:
- Projects submitted as of June 26, 2024 are already accounted for and will be honoured within our institutional allowance.
- Projects previously approved by Mitacs will continue to be honoured. These include NSERC-Mitacs joint projects, all streams of the Accelerate program and multi-year Accelerate projects.
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Projects that are not impacted by these restrictions are:
- Accelerate projects in quantum research
- Indigenous Pathways program
- Elevate program
- Business Strategic Internship (BSI) program
The University’s remaining allotment of internship units for the current fiscal year will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis in accordance with the following process and requirements.
For new projects, the process is as follows:
- If you are interested in submitting a Mitacs Accelerate project prior to March 31, 2025, please contact Amy Bossaer, Senior Grants & Contracts Specialist, Research Support Services, who will direct you to the appropriate contacts at Mitacs. Mitacs will complete an eligibility check of the partner(s) and intern(s), and following successful eligibility, will pre-review the application, once drafted, prior to final submission to the Research Services Office.
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Please note, the following application requirements must be met:
- All interns must be named at the time of application
- Project duration must be ≤2 years
The requirement to name interns at the time of application continues to apply to all Mitacs programs for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
The Research Services Office is on hand to provide support as we move forward during this period. For questions, please reach out to Amy Bossaer, Senior Grants & Contracts Specialist, Research Support Services.
Accelerate Allocation information for the 2025/26 fiscal year will be shared come April 1, 2025.