Health Research BC-Mitacs industry-based funding opportunity 2026

Eligibility Criteria

Trainees and/or their academic supervisors 

• This program is open to current full-time and part-time students in master or PhD programs and postdoctoral fellows. Trainees must be based at a BC university or research institute.? 
• Applicants must be legally permitted to reside and work in Canada by the funding start date. There are no citizenship requirements for this opportunity.? 
• Applications from persons with disabilities or members of minority groups underrepresented in the sciences are encouraged.? 
• Trainees may be required to travel to participate in this opportunity.??

Life sciences companies 

• This opportunity is intended to support BC-based small and medium life sciences companies.??? 
• A maximum of two placements will be accepted per company.? 
• Companies must provide each trainee with a dedicated mentor and provide a description of the training environment.? 
• Companies are required to provide 25% of the funding amount, along with space and relevant materials required to fulfill the placement.? 

Offered Benefits

• Placements are eight to 24 months
• Maximum funding for one placement is $90,000 (master and PhD) and $129,000 (postdoctoral fellow) per 24-month term
• Maximum company investment is $22,500 (master and PhD) and $30,000 (postdoctoral fellow) per 24-month term 

Application Process

Applying for the Health Research BC-Mitacs Accelerate program is a two-stage process:

• Stage 1: Letters of intent are due to Health Research BC between June and December 31, 2025.
• Stage 2: Full applications are due to Mitacs by January 31, 2026.

Applications for both stages are reviewed as they are received, and funding decisions are made on a rolling basis.

There are 30 placements available for the 2025 cycle, up to a maximum of 15 placements for postdoctoral fellows. The application period may close earlier if all placements are filled before the stated deadlines.

Placements start upon approval by both Health Research BC and Mitacs.

Applications are coordinated through Health Research BC's ApplyNet, our online grants management system that allows users to manage their award lifecycle, from application submission to post-award monitoring.

Log in to ApplyNet:

Applynet

For more details, visit Health BC webpage