Mitacs’
mission is to build relationships between researchers and industry, including
most Canadian not-for-profit, and
create more innovation in Canada.
One of
their principal programs is Mitacs Accelerate, a 4 to 6 month internship
program where a student solves a company’s research problem that falls into any
field of research. The company contributes $7,500 and Mitacs matches it to
create a $15,000 renewable “award”.
Key things to know about this program
- It has a 99% application success rate.
- It provides funding for up to 2 years for masters (max $60,000), 4 years for doctoral (max $120,000), and 3 years for post docs (max $90,000).
- Approximately 50% of the intern’s time is to be spent at the academic institution or in an appropriate research learning environment, and 50% of the time on site with the organization partner.
- Your research will directly benefit organizations and society.
Check
out the Accelerate webpage to find the application, a list of
past funded projects, FAQs, and a webinar on how to find a partner organization.
·
Aim
to submit the application no later than two months before the optimal research
start date.
Collaboration structure
The company
can be for profit both nationally and
internationally, or it can be a not-for-profit
in Canada.
It is the student’s responsibility to find the
company partner and
tenacity and flexibility is important. To find this company, leverage your skills,
personal networks, alumni and their networks, Nolan’s network - basically
everyone’s network. The goal is to get a warm introduction to someone at the
company.
When
talking to a potential company partner, sell research expertise and skill set,
not necessarily the project. Find the win-win with how you as the research
learner will benefit and how the company will benefit. The greater the overlap
between the academic research plan and a company’s research project the better.
An RRU faculty supervisor is usually
assigned leading up to the research component of the degree program. In some
cases, where research interests align and availability permits, the faculty
member may agree to supervise outside the parameters required of the program
(e.g. typically one year for masters, two years for doctoral programs). Ensure there is a clear understanding of
supervision needs and limitations, if any. Also, mind that associate faculty
must have a current contract with RRU to qualify as an RRU faculty supervisor.
Ideally the academic supervisor is the one assigned for the required educational activity and being compensated through that, otherwise, there is no compensation. Mitacs is not a requirement of the program and therefore not eligible for compensation from the university.
The award technically belongs to the academic supervisor. In the case of the accelerate program, $10,000 of the award must be paid to the student but $5,000 can be spend on expenses related to the research activity by both the supervisor and the student. Note that receipts are required for reimbursement and I follow NSERC’s guidelines on acceptable expenses. Compensation to the supervisor isn’t an eligible expense, but travel and equipment related to that study is. So, another ideal is that this research directly benefits the supervisor’s area of research and compensation comes in the value of opportunities created to enhance their research and supervisory activity on their CV.
Students
who are in programs with an internship component can rely on internship
development assistance from the Career Learning and Development in the normal
course of the program.
Writing the proposal
Begin by
reading all of the application documents before writing a word. Then, as you write, remember that this
funding is for the benefit of learning and creating connections, therefore
address these themes: How will you benefit? How will the company benefit?
The
application should be led by the student but with assistance from the company
supervisor to ensure the research plan is aligned with the company needs. Get
feedback on your research-defining process and the draft proposal from your
faculty supervisor to ensure it is academically relevant. When the application
is at the final review phase, email it to Nolan Beise, Mitacs’ Business
Development Specialist assigned to RRU.
Reviewing
the application with the company supervisor, the academic supervisor, and Nolan
will ensure the application will more likely pass through external review with
ease.
The budget
Consider
having the funding disbursed as stipend. Alternately, up to $5,000 can be
directed toward travel and expenses for either the student or the faculty
supervisor. Please know that non-consumable equipment MUST be handed over to the RRU Financial Aid & Awards office at
the end of the funding period to be used in other research projects.
Check out
this blog on How Student Research Funding Works
at RRU that covers
most of the financial-related questions.
Tips and logistics
Confirm
intellectual property requirements with RRU. RRU’s Intellectual Property Policy
can be found the Office of Research Policies and Procedures
webpage.
Ensure
appropriate insurance coverage, as necessary.
In section 6 of the application, name six
suggested reviewers. The academics listed here will be deciding if the
application has merit for funding. Strategically it makes sense to choose
reviewers who have experience in the relevant field of research and who value
applied research.
Here’s how
to complete section 7.3.6:
To corral
signatures from RRU campus, email your
final application draft with the signature page to Research.Scholarships@royalroads.ca. They will return the signature page by email as quickly as
possible for submission.
An administrative lead will be assigned once the application is approved. The
administrative lead will assist with the application questions and logistics, and
develop an award disbursement and financial reporting plan.
Contact Research.Scholarships@royalroads.ca if you have any questions. If we can’t answer them, we’ll find someone
who can.
The student submits the complete application
to:
Nolan Beise PhD
Director, Business Development
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