Connecting Universities with Industry Niraj Kumar, PhD Business Development Specialist November 11, 2014 www.mitacs.ca www.mitacs.ca 1 Agenda Why Mitacs? Program goals Mitacs Accelerate Mitacs Elevate Mitacs Globalink Mitacs Step Next steps www.mitacs.ca 2 Why Mitacs? National research network 15 years in operation Almost 10,000 research projects 50+ academic partners www.mitacs.ca 3 Why Mitacs? Annual snapshot - 2013 www.mitacs.ca 4 Mitacs program goals Support flexible, consultative research projects Attract private sector funding Maintain high quality research Industry Support all disciplines Attract international students to Canada Train graduates and postdocs for their careers www.mitacs.ca Academic Private Sector International 5 Building research collaborations Large-scale, multidisciplinary projects 2,000+ research units a year From $15,000 to $2M+ All disciplines Supports grad students and postdocs, including international students Non-competitive: apply any time Peer reviewed Quick application – 6 week approval www.mitacs.ca 6 Mitacs Accelerate Funding cycle $15,000 4 months = $5,000 $10,000 www.mitacs.ca 7 Mitacs Accelerate Scalability: build large-scale projects, “clusters” 4 months 4 months 4months 4 months 4 months 4 months First 1 to 5 internship units: industry funding matched 1:1 6 internships $80,000 (cluster) $44,000 from Mitacs, $36,000 from partner. Minimum 3 interns. Access researchers from multiple disciplines for the same research project www.mitacs.ca 8 Mitacs Accelerate Partners Business with facilities in Canada Domestic or foreign-owned May include – University spin-offs – First Nations development corporations – Industry associations Utility providers, hospitals, NGOs, municipalities, government agencies, not-for-profit may also be eligible www.mitacs.ca 9 Accelerate Cluster - $1.68 million Quebec-based Teledyne DALSA Semiconducteur is developing the next generation of infrared sensor technology 15 research interns across multiple disciplines from the Université de Sherbrooke and École Polytechnique de Montréal have begun 2+ years of research into infrared imaging technologies The project will exploit the world class facilities of the MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre (C2MI) and contribute to wide range of new processes and know-how www.mitacs.ca 10 Accelerate Cluster - $80,000 Alberta-based BMI Technologies wanted to improve vehicle monitoring technology to allow for automatic, remote data analysis Accelerate Cluster - $80,000 GE Lumination Lachine in Quebec is developing new generation LED lighting for greenhouses, to improve energy efficiency and plant yields Accelerate Cluster - $580,000 Calgary-based FireWater Fuel Corp is developing new ways to use hydrogen in place of fossil fuels for the world’s energy needs www.mitacs.ca 11 Accelerate Cluster - $660,000 Mitacs Accelerate is connecting researchers from 9 universities across Canada to examine the future of cloud computing Accelerate Cluster - $445,000 The TECHNA Institute is using Mitacs Accelerate to help fund research into cutting-edge health technologies Accelerate Cluster - $320,000 The Quebec Ministry of Transport sought new technology to carry out inspections for defects in concrete bridges across the province www.mitacs.ca 12 Creating R&D leaders Creating R&D management leaders Professional skills and leadership development Two year fellowship For postdoctoral fellows Research collaboration with private sector partner Open to any discipline Competitive applications www.mitacs.ca 13 Mitacs Elevate Mitacs Elevate Annual Funding cycle $57,500 $50,000 $7,500 www.mitacs.ca 14 International opportunities Research collaborations for senior undergraduate and graduate students Bringing the world’s brightest students to Canada Overseas research opportunities for students in Canada Partner countries: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Turkey and Vietnam www.mitacs.ca 15 Mitacs Globalink Two-way research mobility Research Internship Graduate Fellowship Research Award www.mitacs.ca 16 Professional development exclusively for researchers Taught by industry professionals For graduate students and postdocs Transferable skills increase employability No charge to participants Workshops include leadership, management, communications, relationship building entrepreneurialism www.mitacs.ca 17 Our Funding Partners www.mitacs.ca 18 Next steps Contact me to discuss research goals: nkumar@mitacs.ca 613.329.3516 945 Princess St. Innovation Park Kingston, ON K7L 3N6 Register to receive updates: www.mitacs.ca/signup www.mitacs.ca 19