What expenses do Mitacs Accelerate grants cover?

If you are planning to work with a university researcher or graduate student on an R&D project, one of your first questions is about costs. The Mitacs Accelerate program helps pay for research internship expenses, but only certain costs are eligible. Knowing exactly what expenses Mitacs Accelerate grants cover helps you budget and avoid surprises later.

Mitacs Accelerate is a popular R&D funding program in Canada. It supports industry and academic partnerships through paid research internships. Projects can receive funding from $10,000 to $3,000,000. Mitacs can cover up to 75% of the total project costs.

Eligible expenses under Mitacs Accelerate

Mitacs Accelerate funding is based on research internships. Each internship has a set cost, and the funding must be used according to Mitacs’ rules.

Intern stipend and salary costs

The main eligible expense is the intern’s compensation.

Funding supports graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and sometimes senior undergraduate students
Interns must be at least 18 years old and legally allowed to work in Canada
Mitacs requires a minimum stipend per internship, paid through the academic institution
The stipend covers wages, benefits, and basic living support during the research term

This expense is mandatory. You cannot use this portion for other business costs.

Mitacs Accelerate can also pay for specific research expenses tied to the project.

Eligible examples include:

Specialized software licences used only for the research
Laboratory materials and consumables
Data collection or testing costs
Access to research facilities or equipment at the academic institution

These costs must be directly linked to the approved research goals. General business tools or ongoing software for company operations are not eligible.

Academic supervision and institutional costs

Some of the funding goes to the post-secondary institution.

The academic supervisor oversees the research and intern
A portion of the funds supports administration and research infrastructure at the institution
These costs are included in the standard Mitacs internship budget and are not itemized for the business

You do not pay these costs separately, but they are part of how Mitacs allocates the funds.

Project management and knowledge transfer activities

Some project-specific coordination costs may be eligible if they are clearly linked to research delivery.

Examples include:

Research meetings between your team and the academic partner
Workshops focused on transferring research results into your business
Documentation or reporting required by Mitacs

These expenses must be reasonable and explained in the project proposal.

Expenses Mitacs Accelerate does not cover

It is just as important to know which costs are not eligible.

Mitacs Accelerate funding cannot be used for:

General operating expenses like rent, utilities, or insurance
Marketing, sales, or business development costs
Buying capital equipment for ongoing business use
Salaries for founders or employees not supervising the research
Costs incurred before the project is officially approved

If an expense does not directly support the approved research internship, it will likely be rejected.

Mitacs Accelerate requires cost-sharing.

Mitacs can cover up to 75% of total eligible project costs
Your business must pay the remaining portion, usually in cash
For-profit companies must get more than half of their overall funding from non-government sources to qualify

Your contribution is a required part of participation. It is not a loan that you pay back later.

Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and industry, especially if you want to compare Mitacs with other R&D funding options.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming any intern-related cost is eligible
Only costs listed in the approved Mitacs budget count. Extra wages, bonuses, or extensions outside the internship term are not covered.

Including general business expenses
Office rent, laptops for staff, and internal software subscriptions are common reasons for rejection.

Starting work before approval
Mitacs does not fund expenses from before the project is approved. Costs from before the official start date are not eligible.

Underestimating your cash contribution
Your business must be ready to pay its share. Not having enough cash can delay or cancel a project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Mitacs Accelerate cover 100% of my project costs?
No. Mitacs Accelerate covers up to 75% of eligible costs. Your business must pay the rest in cash.

Q: Are intern travel expenses eligible?
Some travel directly related to research activities may be eligible, but it must be explained in the proposal and approved by Mitacs.

Q: Can I use Mitacs funding to buy equipment for my company?
No. Capital equipment for ongoing business use is not eligible. Access to academic equipment for research may be allowed.

Q: Does Mitacs Accelerate cover postdoctoral fellows?
Yes. Postdoctoral fellows are eligible interns under Mitacs Accelerate, if all program rules are followed.

Q: How much funding can one business receive?
Projects can receive from $10,000 up to $3,000,000, depending on the project scope and number of internships.

After the FAQs, it helps to know that GrantHub tracks thousands of active grant programs across Canada — including Mitacs — so you can check which ones match your business profile.

Next steps

If Mitacs Accelerate seems like a good fit, the next step is to confirm your eligibility and list your eligible expenses before you apply. GrantHub helps you compare Mitacs with other R&D and internship funding programs in your province, so you can plan your research funding with fewer surprises.

What expenses do Mitacs Accelerate grants cover?