1. Introduction For fifteen years, Mitacs has built successful, innovative research and development (R&D) collaborations between Canada s universities and companies. Mitacs has a proven track record of supporting innovation, training, and economic growth with its suite of national programs. Mitacs Accelerate supports business innovation and technology commercialization while training the next generation of innovators. Since inception, Mitacs has delivered more than 10,000 Accelerate internships in multiple disciplines, sectors, and provinces. Building on this foundation of success, Mitacs is poised to deliver 10,000 internships a year by 2020 due to continuously increased demand. Accelerate has become an integral part of Canada s innovation strategy and offers the opportunity to fundamentally change how graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (postdocs) are trained in Canada s universities, not by replacing current approaches, but by supplementing them with training and development opportunities. In 2012, the Government of Canada doubled its total investment in Mitacs and its Accelerate program by committing $34.875 million over a five year period, with the new funding to be administered directly by Industry Canada. Mitacs is continually building on its record of internship delivery excellence and remains committed to working with Industry Canada, the provinces and other government agencies to meet and exceed its delivery objectives. Mitacs launched Mitacs Globalink as an international research program in 2009. Globalink creates a platform for building international research networks through the recruitment of the world s best students to Canada and the international mobility of Canada s top students. Through the Government of Canada s contribution of $19.975 million in 2013 to Globalink over three years, Mitacs is expanding and evolving the program to meet Canada s international research needs. Built on the successful Accelerate internship model, Elevate is Mitacs R&D management program targeting exceptional postdocs to lead and manage industrial research, development, and commercialization projects. Since 2009, Mitacs has delivered almost 400 Elevate fellowships in participating provinces. Through the Government of Canada s contribution of $18 million over four years starting in 2014 15, is in the process of delivering the program on a national scope. Mitacs is committed to meeting the 2015 16 targets for Accelerate, Globalink, and Elevate as outlined in the Industry Canada agreements, as well as those supported by other federal agencies, and is confident in its ability to do so. Mitacs Accelerate will deliver 3,500 internships in 2015 16 (1,920 with funding from Industry Canada, and the remaining 1,580 with support from IRDI, regional development agencies, and the provinces). For 2015 16, Mitacs Globalink is aiming to deliver 890 internships to senior undergraduate and graduate students from partner countries, while also sending 237 Canadian senior undergraduate and graduate students to undertake research opportunities abroad. Mitacs is also anticipating awarding 70 Globalink Graduate Fellowships to former Globalink Research interns who return to pursue graduate studies in Canada. These programs will be directly supported by Industry Canada. Mitacs Elevate will deliver 165 fellowships mainly supported by Industry Canada. Here we present a corporate plan for the Industry Canada contributions to Accelerate, Globalink, and Elevate that outlines projected activities for fiscal year 2015 16 and reflects our commitment to meeting the outlined targets. I knew I made the right decision by coming back to Ontario for my Master s. The research opportunities, hands on faculty instruction and top notch laboratory facilities are second to none. Wanyao Zhao, Globalink Graduate Fellowship recipient 1 of 18
2. Objectives 2.1 Accelerate Mitacs Accelerate objectives for the upcoming fiscal year are as follows: 1. Provide host companies with access to cutting edge research and skills; 2. Provide graduate students and postdocs with valuable applied research experience in a private sector setting; and 3. Provide academic researchers the opportunities to integrate challenges and opportunities from industry into their research programs. Table 1 summarizes Mitacs Accelerate delivery targets for 2015 16. Well established and successful proactive business development as well as on going efforts to introduce innovative initiatives has allowed Mitacs to support significant growth to meet and exceed market demand for Accelerate. Table 1: Target number of Accelerate internships by federal funding source for 2015 16 Industry Canada Other Total 1,920 1,580 3,500 Mitacs expects to approve 3,500 Accelerate internships in 2015 16. Of the 1,920 internships allocated to Industry Canada funding, 960 will be delivered through Industry Canada funding for 2015 16 and 960 using Industry Canada future years funding. This is due to the aggressive demand for the program. The financial support administered through Industry Canada in 2015 16 will account for approximately 70% of the federal funding for Accelerate with the remainder coming from IRDI, federal agencies, and the provinces. These federal sources of funding are matched in each case by relevant provincial funding. Mitacs will deliver 50% of Industry Canada s internships to graduate students and postdocs who have not participated previously in an Accelerate internship. In addition, Mitacs remains committed and on track to collaborate with over 1,200 eligible industrial partners (of which 1,000 have not previously hosted an Accelerate internship) and 1,400 eligible academic supervisors (of whom 700 have not previously participated in an Accelerate internship) over the duration of the funding agreement (2012 17). "Our government has made record investments in science, technology, and innovation to create jobs, increase prosperity, and improve the quality of life of Canadians. Mitacs is essential in linking talented researchers with Canadian businesses to drive R&D and innovation while providing valuable, hands on training experiences for students and post docs at Canadian universities." Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology) 2.2 Globalink Mitacs Globalink objectives for the upcoming fiscal year are as follows: 1. Brand Canada as a destination of choice for foreign students applying to post secondary institutions; 2. Build strong linkages with priority countries to support student mobility as well as international collaborations; 3. Attract promising students from around the world to pursue research opportunities and encourage and support them to pursue graduate studies in Canada; and 4. Encourage and support Canadian students to take advantage of training and research opportunities abroad. 2 of 18
Table 2: Target number of Globalink internships funded by Industry Canada by program for 2015 16 Inbound Internships Outbound Internships Fellowships 890 237 70 In 2015 16 Industry Canada support for Globalink programs will account for 100% of federal program funding, with additional funding to support the program from provincial governments and university and international partners. Through signed agreements or other funding arrangements, Mitacs is collaborating with foreign partners to currently support student mobility with China, India, Mexico, Brazil, Turkey, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and France. Mitacs continues to build bilateral funding partnerships with key countries, and will focus on concluding agreements in 2015 16 with Algeria, Australia, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and Tunisia. These efforts also will be supported by new and continuing initiatives to bring international students to Canada and send Canadians abroad, expanding Canada s academic connections and facilitating the exchange of knowledge and ideas (see section 3.3 Expanded Approaches below). 2.3 Elevate Mitacs Elevate objectives for the upcoming fiscal year are as follows: 1. Provide postdocs fellows with the necessary training and experience to become R&D managers and innovation leaders. Table 3: Target number of Elevate fellowships by federal funding source for 2015 16 Industry Canada Total 165 165 The financial support administered through Industry Canada in 2015 16 will account for nearly all of the federal funding for Elevate. Federal sources of funding are matched in each case by relevant provincial or university funding. This kind of collaboration works for everybody. Interns get to do research they haven t done before, they have new opportunities to publish their findings, and their professors get new grants. Mitacs gives us access to really good people, as well as to equipment and infrastructure at universities that we as a small company could never think of getting otherwise. Bill Cheliak, Chelation Partners Co Founder and Vice President of Business Development 3. Planned Activities and Anticipated Results 3.1 Background and Objectives Industry Canada s continued support of Mitacs through contributions for Accelerate (2012), Globalink (2013), and Elevate (2014) demonstrates the Government of Canada s ongoing commitment to supporting innovation in Canada through applied R&D; technology commercialization; and the training, attraction, and retention of highly qualified personnel from within and beyond Canada s borders. By leveraging provincial and industrial contributions, Industry Canada s $7,000,000 contribution in 2015 16 to Accelerate will result in a $24,000,000 investment (including $7,200,000 in kind). For Globalink, Industry Canada s contribution of $7,000,000 in 2015 16 will result in a $16,000,000 investment (including $2,500,000 in kind). For 3 of 18
Elevate, Industry Canada s contribution of $5,000,000 in 2015 16 will result in a $15,300,000 investment (including $4,100,000 in kind). 1 Through Accelerate activities undertaken with Industry Canada s contribution Mitacs anticipates the following results: Increased collaboration and knowledge transfer between academia and industry in various sectors of the Canadian economy; Creation of job opportunities for graduate students and postdocs in various disciplines; Improved employability of graduate students and postdocs in their field; Increased retention of domestic and international graduate students and postdocs in Canada after completing their studies; and Increased investment in R&D and innovation of participating companies. Through Globalink activities undertaken with Industry Canada s contribution Mitacs anticipates the following results: Increase in the number of foreign students undertaking research projects in Canada and applying to pursue graduate or postdoctoral studies in Canada; and Increase the number of Canadian students participating in research and educational opportunities abroad. Through Elevate activities undertaken with Industry Canada s contribution Mitacs anticipates the following results: Improve employability of postdocs in their field; Increase retention of PhD holders in Canada and create a highly effective talent pool ready to lead innovation; Increase the opportunities for businesses to identify and engage with postdocs and benefit from the wealth of ideas and solutions these highly qualified personnel bring; Connect researchers from academia to industry to develop innovative solutions to Canada s industrial and societal challenges. Mitacs evaluation strategy and performance measurement frameworks, developed in consultation with Industry Canada, will ensure that short term outputs and longer term outcomes for Accelerate, Globalink, and Elevate are tracked to inform funders about their return on investment and allow for continual program improvement. One of the truly unique aspects of the Mitacs Elevate program is the availability of professional development workshops. As a career student, I had rarely been exposed to a formal work environment and these courses have been truly beneficial to my development as a researcher. Adam Metherel, Elevate fellow 3.2 A Proven Approach Mitacs continues to build upon the success of Accelerate to expand the program and utilize its successful delivery model to optimize and improve operations for and delivery of Globalink and Elevate. Accelerate is Mitacs flagship program and has a proven track record of facilitating research collaborations between industry and academia by offering graduate students and postdocs innovative research internships. Accelerate continues to expand successfully through new initiatives and delivery methods. Mirroring this success, Globalink is an internationally recognized research internship program, establishing international partnerships and linkages through two way student mobility. 1 Please note that this leveraging only includes funds for 2015 16, and does not include future years funding. 4 of 18
Built on the successful Accelerate internship model, Elevate is Mitacs R&D management program targeting exceptional Postdocs to lead and manage industrial research, development, and commercialization projects. Mitacs has built the infrastructure and experience to ensure the successful delivery of its programs. Through partnership with 61 of Canada s premier research universities, Mitacs is able to leverage their academic expertise to develop and support new initiatives and pilot programs. Within the past fiscal year, two new universities, Royal Roads University and TÉLUQ Université du Québec have joined Mitacs as academic partners, while six universities have become full partners with Mitacs, continuing to receive full access to Mitacs federally funded programs with access and involvement in pilot programs and new initiatives. Mitacs has established an effective and efficient delivery infrastructure for its programs. A team of 34 Business Development personnel (BDs) in 20 offices across Canada provide a single point of contact to the academic community and to the business challenges of industry partners. An experienced program delivery team ensures efficient, responsive, and flexible processes, from application to project peer review to project monitoring. Strong leadership ensures that Mitacs programs integrate effectively with other initiatives addressing Canadian innovation challenges. In addition, Mitacs has launched a new co funded model of business development in partnership with Canada s premiere research universities. Given their unique position as partially employed by universities, co funded BDs are easily able to promote appropriate research funding solutions, such as Accelerate, Globalink, or Elevate, as well as non Mitacs research funding opportunities to support university industry research linkages. Mitacs currently has co funded BDs at Western University, the University of Calgary, the University of British Columbia (Vancouver and Okanagan), and Carleton University. Delivering Mitacs Accelerate over the past ten years has provided the experience needed to continually optimize and improve internship delivery processes for Accelerate, Globalink, and Elevate. To ensure program excellence, the Mitacs Research Council (MRC) oversees independent peer review performed by members of a College of Reviewers comprising almost 1,400 academic and industrial researchers across North America. The MRC works in conjunction with Mitacs Research department to coordinate the matching process for Globalink and the peer review process of Accelerate and Elevate. Reporting to the Vice President, Programs, Mitacs Program Directors for Accelerate, Elevate and Globalink oversee the delivery strategy of the program, ensuring coordination across all departments involved in the programs. To complement the successful Globalink Research Internship initiative, Mitacs has expanded Globalink in both inbound and outbound directions, ensuring full two way student mobility. By offering a comprehensive suite of programs, Mitacs is able to offer flexibility to international partners, while also meeting the objectives and targets of the Industry Canada contribution agreement. Mitacs Accelerate is the most applied program for students it helps them to understand and solve the problems which have an impact on companies, and ultimately on people s lives. Frequently employers look to my students and see their experience with Mitacs as valuable assets for hiring. Ralph Deters, Professor at the University of Saskatchewan 3.3 Expanded Approaches Mitacs continues to pilot new and innovative initiatives to support, grow, and expand the success of Accelerate, Globalink, and Elevate. In collaboration with academic and industrial partners, these new initiatives and pilot projects 5 of 18
include the continued development and implementation of long term commitments and agreements, an embedded internships strategy, the continued expansion of the Mitacs Partnership Strategy, and outreach to the not for profit sector. These new initiatives also involve the expansion of the Globalink program and a focus on the management training aspect of Elevate. Long term Commitments and Agreements Mitacs account management strategy serves to address the challenges of large scale industrial research projects. Increasingly, Mitacs and select firms are signing memoranda of understanding (MOUs) that detail continuing R&D and training strategies through Mitacs programs. Mitacs account managers work closely with these partners to develop proactive research initiatives that leverage the entire Mitacs academic network. In addition, these long term agreements represent an opportune method for leveraging Accelerate clusters. As clusters are designed for longerterm, multidisciplinary research projects involving multiple interns, universities, and industry partners, they are advantageous for projects with a larger scope, while also allowing Elevate fellows R&D management opportunities through the management of the cluster. Mitacs continues to refine this strategy as it collaborates with new organizations and international partners. Mitacs currently has 36 signed MOUs: 18 with industry partner organizations, eight with research centres and networks, and 10 with academic programs. These MOUs streamline the administrative process of internship delivery and ensure that Mitacs is meeting and addressing the needs of partners. In turn, partners are able to incorporate collaborative research internships into their long term R&D and talent development strategies. Embedded Internship Strategy In collaboration with university partners, Mitacs has developed a model for the integration of Accelerate internships into Masters programs, both professional and research. This strategy supports university engagement with industry and the close linkages between research and training and industry needs and opportunities for students. It also supports the development of innovative new applied graduate programs across disciplines. Mitacs currently has 10 MOUs signed with academic departments across Canada to integrate Accelerate internships into their Masters programs, including Carleton University s Technology Information Management (TIM) program and the Sauder School of Business s Centre for Operations Excellence (COE). Expanded Partnerships Mitacs works across all academic disciplines to develop internship opportunities for graduate students and postdocs to ensure their access to Mitacs programs. In particular, Mitacs has focused on increased outreach to social sciences and humanities (SS&H) researchers through a joint initiative with the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). As part of this initiative, Mitacs has consulted with Canadian SS&H researchers to ensure that its suite of programs meets their needs while also providing Mitacs industry collaborators with access to a talented pool of SS&H students able to address a multitude of complex issues and research challenges. This ensures that students at SS&H focused universities, such as York University, have increased access to Mitacs programs. Further, the Mitacs SSHRC partnership also provides opportunities for Globalink participants through the Globalink Research Award initiative. In addition, Mitacs is also partnering with Genome Canada through Genome Canada s Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP), which partners academic researchers with users of genomics (e.g. industry, provincial 6 of 18
governments, non profits, or other organizations) to translate innovations that are expected to have considerable economic and social impacts within the near future. This partnership will enable funding and training for graduate students and postdocs as they are placed within industry through GAPP projects. It will prepare Canada s next generation of innovators through hands on experience. Interns transfer their skills from theory to real world application, while the companies gain a competitive advantage by accessing high quality research expertise. Mitacs has a potential project in development with the Ontario Genomics Institute. These types of partnerships with like minded research organizations also provide an opportunity to deliver numerous internships under pre approval or pre qualified research projects, which allows Mitacs to streamline internal review processes and reduce administrative burden while retaining high research standards. Not for profit Targeting To supplement the work with industry partners and support innovation and productivity across the Canadian economy, Mitacs will begin supporting research projects with eligible not for profit partners, as announced in Budget 2014. These partners will typically include economic development organizations, industry associations, social welfare or charitable organizations focused on increasing employment or other economic activity, and health organizations. These new delivery guidelines open up new opportunities for Mitacs to partner with the not for profit sector, which employs 12% of Canadians, accounting for approximately 7% of GDP. I am delighted to sign this agreement (with Mitacs), which should help our two countries to increase our collaboration in the field of higher education and research and further consolidate ongoing cooperation. Antoine Grassin, Director General, Campus France Expanded Globalink Initiatives In order to meet the needs of both its international partners and Canada, Mitacs is expanding the reach and breadth of Globalink by focusing on some of the newer initiatives to not only share Canadian talent abroad, helping to ensure Canada s international reputation for research excellence, but also to provide greater opportunities for top students from partner countries to come to Canada to gain graduate research experience. Further, Mitacs has 13 MOUs either signed or in development with its international partners as the Globalink initiatives continue to expand and develop. As Globalink increases its global presence and evolves its initiatives, Mitacs will continue to sign MOUs to solidify long term relationships with international partners. Outbound Globalink Initiatives Mitacs currently has two initiatives focused on sending Canadian senior undergraduate and graduate students to Mitacs partner countries to gain international research experience and expand research networks and partnerships. Through Globalink Partnership Awards, Canadian graduate students have the opportunity to gain international industrial research experience through an internship with a company abroad. This initiative connects international companies with Canada s premier research universities, sharing Canadian talent within the international sphere and solidifying and enhancing Canada s global reputation for research excellence. In addition, Mitacs offers Globalink Research Awards for Canada s undergraduate and graduate students to undertake a research internship at an accredited research university in one of Mitacs partner countries. These 7 of 18
partnerships increase global academic collaboration and give the students the opportunity to create lasting and valuable international research connections. Inbound Globalink Initiatives Mitacs has an established program for bringing top international undergraduate students to conduct research in Canada s premier research universities through Globalink Research Internships. Mitacs has also been focusing on bringing graduate students from Mitacs partner countries to Canada as well through Globalink Research Awards. This initiative provides international graduate students the opportunity to build their international research network while facilitating the exchange of knowledge and ideas. R&D Management Training Mitacs Elevate program is the only postdoc fellowship program in Canada with an R&D management training plan. Throughout the fellowship, participants attend comprehensive workshops exploring a variety of leadership, business, and R&D management topics that are relevant to Canada s current professional climate. As these workshops are run by industry leaders, participants also have the opportunity to learn and network with professionals in various fields. 8 of 18
4. Planned Expenditures for 2015 16 4.1 Accelerate Planned Expenditures and Management Details Table 4: Planned Accelerate expenditures for 2015 16 Expenditures Total Expenditures 2015/16 Industry Canada Accelerate Internships (#) 3,500 960 Direct Program Costs Accelerate Awards $50,923,259 $6,171,765 Direct Program Management $463,412 $53,345 Training $1,774,940 $ Student Mobility $155,000 $42,520 Research Support (Industry in kind) $26,250,000 $ Business Development $3,214,423 $370,034 Other Program Delivery Costs Scientific Management $1,089,006 $95,363 Communications/Marketing $741,272 $85,333 Corporate Services $2,446,563 $181,640 Total $87,057,875 $7,000,000 Mitacs administers funds for Accelerate as described in Table 4 and Industry Canada funding for Accelerate is allocated as follows: Direct Program Costs: 90% Business Development: 5% Administrative Costs: 5% Mitacs Accelerate is not a granting program; rather, it is an innovation program built on a proactive approach to building research collaborations through active business development. Administration and program delivery costs reflect this hands on approach while remaining within the 15% allowable for total administration costs prescribed in the Industry Canada funding agreement (Table 4). Importantly, administration costs are further offset by higher matching funds, as Mitacs has one of the highest rates of industry cash contributions across all government and government funded innovation programs. Accelerate funds are managed as follows: Industry Canada funds received are deposited into Mitacs bank accounts and set up as deferred revenue; Revenue is recognized when liabilities are incurred by Mitacs, specifically upon: o Scientific approval of internship; o Complete documentation and signatures; and o Acceptance by industrial partner. 9 of 18
Funds are distributed to universities upon scientific approval of internship, receipt of all documentation and receipt of industrial funds. At the conclusion of an internship, universities submit accounting of internship funds to Mitacs. 4.2 Globalink Planned Expenditures and Management Details Mitacs administers funds for Globalink as described in Table 5. The fixed overhead costs to Industry Canada, which cover marketing and communications; project management; scientific evaluation, matching, and administration; and international expansion, account for 12% of the total Industry Canada funding for Globalink. Table 5: Planned Globalink Expenditures for 2015 16 Globalink Awards Expenditures Targets Industry Canada Other Total Expenditures Globalink Research Internships (Commitments 850 $3,600,691 $6,705,143 $10,305,834 December 2015) Globalink Research Awards 235 $1,175,000 $ $1,175,000 Globalink Partnership Awards 42 $315,000 $315,000 $630,000 Globalink Early Career Fellowships 2 10 $ $100,000 $100,000 Total $5,090,691 $7,120,143 $12,210,834 Graduate Fellowships 70 $1,050,000 $1,050,000 $2,100,000 Other Program Delivery Costs Marketing and Communications $85,337 $85,337 $170,674 Project Management $350,478 $350,478 $700,956 Scientific Evaluation, Matching, and $259,674 $560,672 $820,346 Administration International Expansion $163,820 $163,820 $327,640 Total $859,309 $1,160,307 $2,019,616 Grand Total $7,000,000 $9,330,450 $16,330,450 Industry Canada funds multiple programs within the Globalink portfolio which are managed with different processes as outlined below: Globalink Research Internships (International undergraduate students coming to Canada) Funds received are deposited into Mitacs bank accounts and set up as deferred revenue. Revenue is recognized when liabilities are incurred by Mitacs, specifically upon: o Approval of the student and professor match; and o Complete documentation and signatures of the Mitacs Award letter. Students are provided with a payment card on which Mitacs deposits the funds for one or more of the following aspects of the program: accommodation, living stipend, student fees for their host university, local transportation, flight and permit reimbursement and medical insurance reimbursement. 2 This initiative is not funded by Industry Canada, and as such, is not referenced within the Corporate Plan. 10 of 18
Funds are only distributed to students upon entry into Canada. Flight and permit reimbursement is not administered until the student s second scheduled payment. Foreign funding partners and partner universities are invoiced once the student s arrival is confirmed, or at the conclusion of the program cycle, depending on the terms of the agreement. The invoice is supported by an account of participating students by nationality and host university. Globalink Fellowship Program (Globalink alumni returning to Canada for graduate studies) Funds received are deposited into Mitacs bank accounts and set up as deferred revenue. Revenue is recognized when liabilities are incurred by Mitacs, specifically upon: o Receipt of graduate studies acceptance letter; o Confirmation that graduate program is research based; o Confirmation of student registration and fee payment; and o Complete documentation and signatures of the Mitacs Award letter. Funds are distributed to the student for the first semester ($5,000). Funds are distributed to the student for the second semester ($5,000) upon confirmation of student enrollment. Finance issues tax slips to student for funds provided by Mitacs in previous tax year. Globalink Research and Partnership Awards (Canadian undergraduate and graduate students going abroad and international undergraduate and graduate students coming to Canada). Funds received are deposited into Mitacs bank accounts and set up as deferred revenue. Revenue is recognized when liabilities are incurred by Mitacs, specifically upon: o Scientific approval of the research project, and; o Completed documentation and necessary signatures. Funds are distributed to universities upon scientific approval of the research project, receipt of all documentation and signatures. At the conclusions of the research project, universities submit accounting for the research project to Mitacs. 11 of 18
4.3 Elevate Planned Expenditures and Management Details Mitacs administers funds for Elevate as described in Table 4. Table 6: Planned Elevate Expenditures for 2015 16 Expenditures Industry Canada Other Total Expenditures Elevate Awards Elevate stipend and research costs $4,295,346 $5,192,292 $9,487,638 Research support (Industry in kind) $4,125,000 $4,125,000 Training $ $476,000 $476,000 Total $4,295,346 $9,793,292 $14,088,638 Other Program Delivery Costs Marketing and Communication $24,873 $24,873 $49,746 Program Management $178,245 $178,245 $356,490 Scientific Evaluation $53,271 $53,271 $106,542 Business Development $103,918 $103,917 $207,835 Corporate Services $144,347 $144,346 $288,693 Total $504,654 $504,652 $1,009,306 Start up Cost System Development $200,000 $ $200,000 Grand Total $5,000,000 $10,297,944 $15,297,944 Mitacs administers funds for Elevate as described in Table 6 and Industry Canada funding for Elevate is allocated as follows for a one year of a two year fellowship: Funds received are deposited into Mitacs bank accounts and set up as deferred revenue; Revenue is recognized when liabilities are incurred by Mitacs, specifically upon: o Scientific approval of internship; o Complete documentation and signatures; and o Acceptance by industrial partner. Funds are distributed to universities upon scientific approval of fellowship, receipt of all documentation and receipt of industrial funds. At the conclusion of a fellowship, universities submit accounting of internship funds to Mitacs. Mitacs has been phenomenal. Its programs help us develop better long term relationships with graduates and their professors, which gives us access to more ideas and talent that we can develop in the future. The streamlined and easy to use grant process is also a breath of fresh air. The success of this relationship speaks for itself. And when we develop something into a product or new company that creates value for the researchers, for us, and for innovation across Canada as a whole. Matt Smith, Partner and Chief Operating Officer, TandemLaunch 12 of 18
5. Anticipated Funding from Other Sources In fiscal year 2015 16 Accelerate is funded federally through IRDI and Industry Canada. 5.1 Accelerate Funding Support from Other Sources Table 7: Accelerate Funding Support 2015 16 Income Source Estimated Total Income 2015/16 Industry Canada Future Years Industry Canada Accelerate Internships (#) 3,500 960 960 1,580 Industry Canada $13,900,000 $7,000,000 $6,900,000 $ IRDI NCE $6,877,042 $ $ $6,877,042 Provincial Funds $11,720,000 $2,885,840 $2,885,840 $5,948,320 Industry $24,036,213 $6,593,600 $6,593,600 $10,849,013 Industry in kind $26,250,000 $7,200,000 $7,200,000 $11,850,000 Other $4,274,620 $ $ $4,274,620 Total $87,057,875 $23,679,440 $23,579,440 $39,798,995 5.2 Globalink Funding Support from Other Sources Table 8: Globalink Funding Support 2015 16 Other Income Source Estimated Total Income Industry Canada $7,000,000 International Partners $2,865,975 Universities $3,598,500 Provincial Partners $2,865,975 Total $16,330,450 5.3 Elevate Funding Support from Other Sources Table 9: Elevate Funding Support 2015 16 Income Source Estimated Total Income Elevate Fellowships 165 Industry Canada $5,000,000 Industry Partners $3,657,944 Industry Partners (In kind) $4,125,000 Provincial Partners $2,075,000 Universities $440,000 Total $15,297,944 13 of 18
6. Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies Table 10: Accelerate Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategy Risk Assessment Challenges with maintaining agility, flexibility, and responsiveness to clients during rapid program growth. Continued program growth and demand may strain internal infrastructure for processing applications, slowing the pace of delivery. Table 11: Globalink Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategy Mitigation Strategy Process review underway to ensure new policies and procedures to balance the necessary flexibility with economies of scale from program growth. Consultations being conducted regularly with program stakeholders to ensure their needs are well understood. A new business system initiative is ongoing to develop a new system that is more appropriate for large scale program needs. Risk Assessment Higher interest in international researchers to come to Canada; relatively low domestic interest may lead to challenges in balancing and reciprocity. High demand from countries outside of partner funding agreements. Mitigation Strategy Conducting research to ensure Mitacs understands motivation of Canadian students. Developing outreach specifically to inform domestic students of the benefits of international research experiences and comparative international travel rates. Coordinate internally to allow focus on high priority partner countries; identify areas of high demand for future new partner funding negotiations. Table 12: Elevate Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategy Risk Assessment An increase in demand for the program beyond current funding levels. Challenges in ensuring a representative program serving PDFs and companies in all regions and markets with a consistent training experience Continued program growth and demand may strain internal infrastructure for processing applications, slowing the pace of delivery. Mitigation Strategy Coordination with other Mitacs programs and partners to help service demand for postdoctoral funding where appropriate. Training program modifications are focused on a national program delivery regardless of postdoc location taking advantage of virtual delivery where appropriate and travel allowances where necessary. A new business system initiative is ongoing examining new systems more appropriate for large scale program needs. 7. Ongoing Performance Monitoring Strategies Mitacs values the importance of open and transparent evaluation processes that provide short and long term outcomes and impacts to share with its stakeholders. As such, Mitacs Policy Department has a dedicated resource responsible for the evaluation and monitoring of program performance measurement. In consultation with Industry Canada, performance measurement frameworks (PMFs) have been developed for Accelerate, Globalink, and Elevate to ensure alignment with Industry Canada specification. In addition, these PMFs are part of Mitacs greater performance measurement strategy to facilitate greater standardization in reporting and evaluation across programs and funders to reduce administrative burden. These frameworks identify the indicators required to monitor and gauge program performance and accurately report on program objectives. 14 of 18
Mitacs is also increasingly moving towards the identification and measurement of long term outcomes and impacts. Within the coming fiscal year, Mitacs will have a complete overview of Accelerate long term outcomes for participants, and will initialize this process for Globalink students as well. Mitacs is also partnering with Research Impact, a not for profit that is independently identifying research findings and outcomes from Mitacs program participants final reports and communicating them to the greater public. Mitacs also continues to contribute to the Industry Canada led Community of Practice, where Mitacs and other similar Canadian organizations in the R&D and innovation space are working together to define common innovation indicators. 7.1 Accelerate In 2013 14, Mitacs completed the implementation of the Accelerate PMF designed with Industry Canada and aligned with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat s Centre of Excellence for Evaluation. The PMF identifies the indicators required to monitor and gauge program performance. Monitoring instruments have been revised to better reflect the new program performance indicators. Outcomes from that PMF are as follows: Immediate Outcomes: Increased collaboration and knowledge transfer between academia and industry; Innovative solutions to industry needs and issues; and Enhanced skills amongst participating interns. Intermediate Outcomes: Increased nature and extent of research linkages with both domestic and international partners; Increased investment in industrial research, development, and innovation; and Improved employability of the intern in their field; Increased retention of domestic and international graduate students in Canada after completion of studies. Ultimate Outcomes: Improved productivity and competitiveness of Canadian industry in the global economy; Improved Canadian research capacity; and Canada as an international leader for research and education. Mitacs commitment to demonstrating return on investment for stakeholders is one that Mitacs takes seriously and one that goes beyond reporting short term output data. For example, Mitacs recently completed its first longitudinal study of former Accelerate host organizations. Approximately 1,300 Canadian companies that undertook internships between 2004 and 2013 were contacted with roughly 250 participating in the study. The popularity of Accelerate among host organizations is overwhelming, as 95% of surveyed participants indicated that Accelerate was successful in meeting their corporate needs. Other key outcomes include: 92% of companies would recommend Accelerate to others and 88% would participate in the program again; 66% of companies indicated that the project results have been (32%) or will be (34%) commercialized; 30% of companies have hired one or several interns (25% into new positions; 10% into existing positions); 40% of companies invested $250,000 or more of new money into R&D as a result of their Accelerate experience (including 10% that invested more than $500,000); 15 of 18
82% of companies continued to collaborate with the academic supervisor involved in the Accelerate project; 47% of companies engaged in new collaborations within the academic sector. 7.2 Globalink Mitacs is in the process of finalizing a performance measurement framework (PMF) for Globalink that was developed in collaboration with Industry Canada in order to ensure alignment with Industry Canada requirements and with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat s Centre of Excellence for Evaluation. The program s logic model outlines immediate, intermediate and long term outcomes. Mitacs has elaborated a preliminary PMF for the Globalink program that will integrate into a broader Mitacs Performance Measurement Strategy, aligned with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat s Centre of Excellence for Evaluation. Outcomes from that PMF are as follows: Immediate Outcomes: Increased international linkages; Improved students skills; and Improved awareness of Canada as a work, study and research destination. Intermediate Outcomes: Increased graduate enrolment at Canadian universities by international students; Increased internalization of research; and Increased recruitment of highly skilled international talent by Canadian industry. Ultimate Outcomes: Improved Canadian research capacity; Canada as an international leader for research and education; and Improved international research capacity. 7.3 Elevate Mitacs is in the process of finalizing a performance measurement framework (PMF) for Elevate that was developed in collaboration with Industry Canada in order to ensure alignment with Industry Canada requirements and with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat s Centre of Excellence for Evaluation. The program s logic model outlines immediate, intermediate and long term outcomes. Immediate Outcomes: Increased collaboration and knowledge transfer between academia and industry; Innovative solutions to industry research challenges, needs, and issues; and Enhanced skills amongst participating post doctoral fellows. Intermediate Outcomes: Increased nature and extent of research linkages; Increased investment in industrial research, development, and innovation; Improved employability of the fellow in their field; and 16 of 18
Increased retention of domestic and international PhD holders in Canada. Ultimate Outcomes: Improved Canadian research capacity; and Improved productivity and competitiveness of Canadian industry in the global economy. 8. Annual Program Cash Flow Requirements 2015 16 Based on current delivery and forecast we estimate the following cash flow requirements as evidenced in the table below. Cash Flow Accelerate $7,000,000 Globalink $7,000,000 Elevate $5,000,000 Total $19,000,000 9. Statement of Amounts Owing to the Crown To date, Mitacs does not maintain any outstanding debt to the Crown. 17 of 18
Appendix A: Mitacs Academic Partners Full Partners Carleton University Concordia University Dalhousie University École de Technologie Supérieure McGill University McMaster University Polytechnique Montréal Queen's University Ryerson University Simon Fraser University Université de Montréal University of Alberta University of British Columbia University of Calgary University of Manitoba University of New Brunswick University of Ottawa University of Saskatchewan University of Toronto University of Waterloo Western University York University Associate Partners Emily Carr University of Art + Design OCAD University Thompson Rivers University Trent University Université de Sherbrooke Université du Québec à Trois Rivières Université INRS University of Guelph University of Lethbridge University of Northern British Columbia University of Ontario Institute of Technology University of Victoria University of Windsor Wilfrid Laurier University Honourary Partners Acadia University Athabasca University Bishops University Cape Breton University Concordia University College of Alberta HEC Montréal Lakehead University Laurentian University Memorial University of Newfoundland Mount Allison University Mount Saint Vincent University Royal Military College of Canada Royal Roads Saint Mary's University Saint Paul University St. Francis Xavier University TÉLUQ Université du Québec Trinity Western University Université de Moncton Université du Québec à Montréal Université du Québec en Abitibi Témiscaminque Université Laval University of Regina University of Winnipeg Vancouver Island University 18 of 18