Accelerate Fellowship

Overview of the Accelerate Fellowship program:

The Mitacs Accelerate Fellowship is an innovative program designed to build connections between Canadian businesses and the brightest minds in academia. It provides businesses with the opportunity to engage master’s and PhD students in solving real-world challenges through research and development (R&D) projects. By offering long-term funding and professional development, the program accelerates the translation of academic expertise into practical, impactful solutions. This fellowship spans 18 months to four years, allowing businesses to access highly skilled talent while giving students invaluable industry experience. Through this collaboration, organizations can enhance their R&D capabilities, achieve their innovation goals, and foster sustainable growth in their sectors. Core Elements of the Program: Industry-Driven Research: Projects address business challenges, ensuring direct relevance and impact. Professional Development: Students participate in workshops and training to build essential skills such as communication, project management, and leadership. Flexible Structure: Projects can be tailored to fit specific industry requirements and timelines. Economic and Social Benefits: Research outcomes drive innovation and competitiveness in Canadian industries, with potential to address broader societal issues.

Benefits of the Accelerate Fellowship program:

• Access to Advanced Research Expertise: Businesses can leverage the skills of highly trained graduate students to tackle complex challenges.
• Innovation and R&D Development: Long-term research projects drive innovation, resulting in new technologies, processes, or products.
• Cost-Effective Collaboration: Shared funding reduces the financial burden on businesses while maximizing R&D outcomes.
• Professional Growth for Students: Participants gain practical experience, enhancing their career prospects while contributing to meaningful industry advancements.
• Talent Recruitment: Businesses have the opportunity to evaluate potential hires and secure top talent for their future workforce.

Eligibility criteria of the Accelerate Fellowship program:

• For Businesses:
• Open to for-profit corporations, eligible not-for-profits, municipalities, and hospitals in Canada.
• Organizations must demonstrate their ability to co-fund the project and provide the necessary infrastructure to support the research.
• For Students:
• Open to masters and PhD students enrolled at Canadian universities.
• Participants can be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, international students with valid study permits, or postdoctoral fellows with work permits.
• Students must be at least 18 years old and demonstrate the ability to contribute effectively to the research project.