Skip to content
01 - Header
12 - Hero Split
dc_03 (3)
Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security Call

Talent and research powering Canadian defence and security innovation

Delivered in collaboration with Canada’s Department of National Defence, this competitive funding opportunity supports industrial innovation partnerships that advance Canadian sovereign capabilities in areas identified in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS).

Through Mitacs’ flagship Accelerate program, the call will channel Canada’s top graduate and postdoctoral research talent into applied, mission-relevant projects that strengthen the country’s defence industrial base.

Apply before August 17, 2026.

Contact your Mitacs Advisor to get started


Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security Call

Talent and research powering Canadian defence and security innovation

Funded by industry and Mitacs, and delivered in collaboration with Canada’s Department of National Defence, this competitive call for proposals supports industrial innovation partnerships that advance Canadian sovereign capabilities in areas identified in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy.

 

Through Mitacs’ flagship Accelerate program, the call will channel Canada’s top graduate and postdoctoral research talent into applied, mission-relevant projects that strengthen Canada’s sovereign defence capabilities and help accelerate the path from research to real-world application.

 

The call is now open. Apply before August 17, 2026.

dc-03

 

Mitacs_DND_EN_v2 1

 

dc_05v2

About the award

The Mitacs Accelerate Defence and Security call advances Canada’s sovereign defence capabilities by pairing Canadian researchers and innovators with partner organizations on applied, mission-relevant R&D.

 

Eligible projects include those in the following strategic areas:

    • Aerospace
    • Training and simulation
    • In-service support
    • Personnel protection
    • Sensors
    • Space
    • Digital systems (AI, quantum, cyber)
    • Specialized manufacturing
    • Uncrewed systems
    • Quantum science and technology
    • Arctic sovereignty

Projects may run for up to two years and include no more than 30 internship units (IUs). Interns must be identified at the time of application for a minimum of 50 per cent of the internships in the project, while no more than 50 per cent may be listed as to be determined (TBD).

 

Standard Accelerate student eligibility and award values continue to apply, with increased award values available for Master’s, PhD and postdoctoral fellows:

 

Master’s or PhD IU: $20,000

($10,000 contribution from partner; minimum $15,000 for stipend)

Postdoctoral fellow IU: $25,000

($12,500 contribution from partner; minimum $20,000 for stipend)

This is a competitive call. All applications will be assessed by Mitacs and undergo external peer review, with funding decisions determined by a panel. There will be no opportunity for applicants to revise their proposals while under consideration for this call. Following the external review, if an application does not meet the threshold for panel consideration, applicants will be notified of the results. In all other cases, applicants will be notified of outcomes once the review and processing period is complete.

 

Applications must be submitted by August 17, 2026. Standard Mitacs Accelerate policies regarding start and end dates apply.

A proven partner for defence, security, and
dual-use innovation

Operating across Canada’s research and innovation ecosystem, Mitacs deploys talent from Canadian post-secondary institutions through co-funded internships that accelerate the development and commercialization of technologies — including those that support national defence objectives.

 

Mitacs impact across dual-use sectors (2018–2026)1

4,700+

industry partners

15,800+

 interns

 

5,000+

 professors

 

$584M+

awarded

 

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, all 10 provinces, and the territory of Yukon — reflecting strong federal–provincial–territorial alignment and a consistent track record of delivery. Below are just a few of the many industry partners our programs have supported.

Who should apply

This call for proposals is open to Canadian post-secondary institutions partnering with Canadian businesses and other organizations contributing to strengthening Canada’s sovereign defence capabilities.

 

Eligible participants include:

  • Canadian companies seeking to de-risk applied R&D with academic expertise
  • Academic researchers with projects aligned to Canada’s defence and security priorities
  • Teams able to host and supervise Master’s, PhD, and/or postdoctoral participants through Mitacs Accelerate
  • Applicants prepared to meet Mitacs Accelerate eligibility, quality, and feasibility requirements
dc-04

Conflicts of interest

All parties must declare any potential conflicts of interest when submitting an application, including:

  • An academic supervisor in a position of ownership, employment, or influence over operations at the partner organization
  • An intern in a position of ownership, employment, or influence over operations at the partner organization
  • Program participants with a close family relationship or with someone in a position of ownership, employment, or influence at the partner organization
05 - Hero Simple Text

How to apply

1. Connect with your Mitacs Advisor to discuss project suitability, confirm eligibility, and initiate the proposal development process.

2. When preparing your application, be sure to use the application form specific to this call.

Connect with a Mitacs Advisor
dc_dn

Dr. Derek Newton
Senior Vice-President, Strategic Partnerships and Business Development, Mitacs 

 

“Organizations such as Mitacs demonstrate how collaboration across academia, industry, and government can connect skilled researchers with companies developing the technologies that underpin modern defence capability.” 

 

 

00 - Spacing
14 - Cards

Defence and security innovation success with Mitacs

Mitacs collaborations support applied R&D, strengthen workforce development, and accelerate the transition from research to real-world defence and security applications. Below are some examples of the many successful projects.

dc_01 (1)

Strengthening safety and trust in high-stakes environments

Global tech leader Thales has collaborated with Mitacs for years on advanced research carried out through its Quebec-based cortAIx labs. These projects focus on applying AI technologies to support and enhance human decision-making in applications in defence, aerospace, cybersecurity, and other sectors. This partnership provides a critical talent pipeline, with former Mitacs program participants accounting for roughly one-third of the lab’s full-time staff. 

dc_02v2

Building brain assessment tools for medical and military use

Mitacs program participants helped NERON AI translate neuromotor science into a functional assessment and brain-training application without compromising scientific integrity. As well as making tools for proactive brain health and healthy aging more accessible, the company’s technology can support assessment of Canadian military personnel. Defence Research and Development Canada has used the visuomotor test underlying NERON AI’s technology since 2015.

05 - Hero Simple Text

Start your own success story

Connect with a Mitacs Advisor
13 - Accordion

Frequently asked questions

Applications will be open from June 1, 2026 to August 17, 2026. The August 17 deadline to submit includes all institutional approvals and signatures.

Applications will be reviewed and processed between August and October 2026, and funding outcomes will be communicated in late November 2026.

Dual-use technology supports both commercial applications as well as defence and security needs. Many of the technologies shaping modern defence capabilities are developed within the civilian innovation ecosystem, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and quantum systems.

Mitacs supports applied research and talent development in these domains across Canada through partnerships with industry and academia. In that sense, we’re actively contributing to areas that underpin defence readiness, even if that work has not always been described in defence terms.

Yes, the Defence call is a competitive funding opportunity.

All applications will be assessed by Mitacs and undergo external peer review. Funding decisions will be determined by a panel. Since this is a competitive call, there will be no opportunity for applicants to revise their proposals while under consideration for this call. Following the external review, if an application does not meet the threshold for being considered by the panel, applicants will be notified of the results. In all other cases, applicants will be notified of outcomes once the review and processing period is complete. Applicants whose submissions may meet the threshold for Accelerate (with or without revisions being required) will be offered the opportunity to proceed with their project at standard Accelerate amounts.

No. Since this is a competitive call, there will be no opportunity for applicants to revise their proposals while under consideration for this call.

Following the external review, if an application does not meet the threshold for being considered by the panel, applicants will be notified of the results. In all other cases, applicants will be notified of outcomes once the review and processing period is complete. Applicants whose submissions may meet the threshold for Accelerate (with or without revisions being required) will be offered the opportunity to proceed with their project at standard Accelerate amounts.

No. Applications cannot be submitted with only TBD interns. At least 50 per cent of the internships in an application must be associated with a named intern at the time of submission, with no more than 50 per cent of the units listed as TBD. The maximum project size for this call is 30 IUs per application. 

Example 1: An application includes 30 internships. 
-    Interns must be named for at least 15 internships  
-    Up to 15 internships may be listed as TBD 

Example 2: An application includes 15 internships 
-    Interns must be named for at least 8 internships 
-    Up to 7 internships may be listed as TBD  

This requirement ensures that projects demonstrate confirmed access to qualified talent while still allowing limited flexibility to recruit additional interns after submission.

Yes. No more than 50 per cent of the interns can be TBD, while 50 per cent or more need to be named interns. Once a TBD is identified, a new intern profile form will be required.

Yes. Applications may include multiple interns, up to the maximum project size of 30 internship units.

Yes. As for standard Accelerate, extensions to the five-year rule are available for parental or medical leave, military service, etc.

Projects must clearly align with priority technology areas identified in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy. Alignment will be assessed based on:

  • The proposed technology focus

  • The application’s relevance to defence and security outcomes
  • The role of the partner organization within the defence ecosystem 
These include:
  • Aerospace
  • Digital Systems (AI, Cyber)
  • In-Service Support
  • Personnel Protection
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Specialized Manufacturing
  • Training
  • Simulation
  • Uncrewed Systems
  • Quantum Science and Technology
  • Arctic Sovereignty

The latest possible start date will follow the standard Accelerate policy regarding start and end dates, subject to internal timelines associated with this competitive call. According to this policy, successful applicants will be expected to initiate projects within one year following award notification. Specific start date guidance will be included in award letters.

Applicants whose submissions meet the Accelerate threshold but are not selected for funding through this call may be offered the opportunity to submit a new budget and proceed under standard Accelerate funding amounts.

Yes.

Yes, with conditions.  

Multinational companies may participate as partner organizations provided the proposed project demonstrates clear benefits to Canada’s defence industrial base, including applied R&D activity conducted in and, meaningful engagement with Canadian researchers, and alignment with Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy priorities.

Yes.

Accelerate Entrepreneur is eligible; however, applications must present a strong, well-justified use case that clearly aligns with the objectives of the Defence call in order to be considered for approval.

The standard Accelerate Entrepreneur process applies, with additional Defence call requirements, including:

  • Submission of the call-specific paper application
  • Completion of the eAcc conflict of interest (COI) review
  • Provision of a letter of support from the host incubator

No. Applicants may choose to apply either to the Defence and Security Call or submit a project under their approved umbrella. These cannot be combined.

No.

The normal Accelerate policy regarding start and end dates will apply. See Mitacs Accelerate and BSI Project Start and End Date Policy

As with standard Accelerate, virtual interaction between the partner and intern is permitted when agreed to by all parties. Note that some defence and security projects may involve sensitive work that must be done on-site.

1 Mitacs delivery data for FY 2018-19 to FY 2025-26. For this analysis, a dual-use project is any project in the sectors of Advanced Computing, Aerospace, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Information and Communication Technology, Quantum Technology, or Advanced Manufacturing.

Numbers are subject to change. Projects are fully funded upfront (rather than disbursed over time) to ensure continuity of execution. As a result, certain units and associated elements may be modified or cancelled at a later stage in the project lifecycle, which would impact this aggregation.