Mitacs launches postdoc awards to boost tech commercialisation
Mitacs has launched a new postdoctoral fellowship aimed at attracting leading international researchers to Canadian industry and academic teams.
The Mitacs Accelerate Global Excellence Award will target postdoctoral researchers based outside Canada. It will include Canadians who completed their doctorates abroad and international PhD graduates.
The award will fund industrial fellowships that link postdoctoral researchers with companies and academic supervisors. The research will focus on fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, clean technology, advanced materials and manufacturing, defence, cybersecurity, agri-tech, and health and life sciences.
The initiative aligns with the federal government's talent attraction agenda. It sits alongside national measures such as the Canada Global Impact+ Research Talent Initiative and commitments announced in the 2025 federal budget.
Mitacs will jointly fund the new award with industry partners. Each project will last two years and have a total value of CAD $170,000. At least CAD $70,000 of the annual amount will go to the researcher's stipend, while up to CAD $15,000 will be available for research and relocation expenses.
Mitacs will run a time-limited competition for the award. It plans to offer 50 fellowships for the 2026-27 period. Eligible partner organisations include for-profit and not-for-profit corporations. Hospitals and municipalities can also participate.
Domestic postdoc offer
Mitacs has also introduced a separate scheme for researchers who are already based in Canada. The Mitacs Accelerate Industry Postdoc targets postdoctoral fellows who are conducting applied research with domestic partners.
The domestic scheme will fund up to CAD $75,000 per year for three years. It will support work with companies, non-profit organisations, municipalities, or hospitals.
Mitacs leaders said the scheme supports broad economic aims. They stressed the link between research talent, commercial outcomes, and productivity.
"Mitacs is driving solutions to support economic resilience and growth. In support of the federal government's priority, the Mitacs Accelerate Global Excellence Award will help attract and retain top research talent from Canada and globally, connecting them with industry to fuel innovation and economic growth," said Stephen Lucas, CEO of Mitacs.
Federal backing
Mitacs receives funding from the federal government and from provincial and territorial governments. It co-funds research internships from the undergraduate level through to postdoctoral fellowships.
The new global postdoctoral award extends this model, linking international researchers with Canadian innovation projects that have clear industry partners.
The federal government framed the award as part of a wider effort to build the country's research base. It highlighted the connection between talent attraction and long-term prosperity.
"Canada's future prosperity depends on our ability to attract and retain the world's brightest researchers. The Mitacs Accelerate Global Excellence Award will help bring top global talent to Canada, strengthen our research capacity, and drive the innovation that fuels economic growth. The Government of Canada is proud to support initiatives that connect exceptional researchers with industry and deliver real benefits for Canadians," said Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry.