Mitacs — Business Strategy Internship ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) – primary beneficiaries - For-profit businesses across all sectors - Not-for-profit organizations (in some cases, subject to program guidelines) - Post-secondary institutions (as collaborative partners with businesses) - Businesses must be Canadian-based with operations in Canada - Must have fewer than 500 employees (typical SME definition) - Eligible regardless of industry sector ### 💰 Funding Details - Contribution Model: Mitacs provides a contribution toward eligible expenses (not a full grant) - Matching Requirement: Typically 50% cost-share – business/organization covers remaining expenses - Funding Amount: Varies by project scope; generally $15,000–$30,000+ per internship placement - Repayability: Non-repayable grant – funds do not need to be returned - Payment Structure: Reimbursement-based; funds distributed after eligible expenses are incurred and documented - Currency: Canadian dollars (CAD) ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Intern Wages/Salaries – primary eligible expense for student intern compensation - Intern Supervision Costs – time allocated by company staff to mentor/oversee intern - Research & Development Activities – projects improving innovation capacity - Training & Skills Development – professional development for interns and staff - Technology & Tools – software, equipment, or systems enabling innovation projects - Connectivity Improvements – infrastructure or systems enhancing business innovation access - Partnership Development Costs – expenses related to enabling new business collaborations - Project Materials – supplies directly tied to the internship project deliverables ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Internship Duration: Typically 4–16 months (project-dependent) - Intern Requirements: Must be a Canadian post-secondary student or recent graduate - Business Innovation Component: Project must demonstrably address at least one innovation pillar: - R&D