Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI)

Also known as: Mitacs Business Strategy Internship

Funds a market analysis, business development, competitive intelligence, or growth-strategy project (rather than a technical R&D project) delivered by a graduate-level intern through a Canadian academic partner. Standard model: $10,000 total award (fully allocated to intern stipend), with the partner organization contributing $5,000. Alternative model: partner organizations can select a $15,000 funding structure where up to $5,000 can cover eligible project costs or top up the intern stipend beyond the standard amount.

Who qualifies

• ⚠️ HARD GATE: requires an academic supervisor or institution-appointed point of contact to oversee the intern's work, alongside a supervisor at the partner organization
• Partner organizations can be for-profit corporations, not-for-profit corporations, hospitals, municipalities, or Indigenous governments in Canada
• For-profit partners must contribute private-sector funds not sourced from government aid
• Applications submitted through Mitacs's Registration and Application Portal (RAP); review takes approximately four weeks
• Project start dates cannot pre-date the approval letter from Mitacs — do not commit an intern start date before applying

Typical applicant

Early-stage Manitoba companies wanting market analysis, go-to-market strategy, or competitive intelligence work done by a graduate intern rather than a technical R&D hire — a lighter-weight, business-focused alternative to mitacs_accelerate

Verified against the official program page as of 2026-07-19. Programs change — always confirm current details with the program office before committing project spend.