Mitacs and Stem Cell Network Industry-Based Internship Program 2026-2027

Mitacs and Stem Cell Network Industry-Based Internship Program 2026-2027

Mitacs and Stem Cell Network Industry-Based Internship Program 2026-2027

Application process is closed

For questions pertaining to this initiative or application process, please contact:

Training, Stem Cell Network
trainingSCN@stemcellnetwork.ca

Joanne Tejeda, PhD., Senior Advisor, Strategic Partnerships, Mitacs
jcurieltejeda@mitacs.ca

Stage 1 Application Deadline: February 27, 2026

Start Date: August 2026 – January 2027

Location: Various

SCN and Mitacs developed a partnership through the Mitacs Accelerate program, which will support the brightest graduate students and postdoctoral fellows conducting research in regenerative medicine. These interns will share their time (eight months) between academic institutions and companies, to power life-saving therapies and technologies through regenerative medicine research for the benefit of all. This application cycle is for the Summer/Fall 2026 term (for projects beginning no earlier than August 2026) and will fund up to five intern positions.

Who Should Apply

This internship is intended for students in Masters/PhD programs or for Postdoctoral fellows who are currently affiliated with an eligible Canadian institution in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine.

Objectives

  • Train highly qualified personnel to be scientific and industry leaders able to position Canada at the forefront of regenerative medicine
  • De-risk innovations and fertilize the field for subsequent commercial activity

Partner Companies

(See here for a full internship description)

  • Ananda Devices Inc.
  • Apiary Therapeutics
  • Axolotl Biosciences
  • CEREBRO Therapeutics
  • CereCura Nanotherapeutics
  • Epiloid Biotechnology
  • Inteligex
  • Optinome Biosolutions, Inc
  • Telescope Therapeutics
  • Viromeda

Dates & Key Details

  • February 27, 2026: SCN application package and reference letter are due
  • April 2026: SCN application packages evaluated by SCN’s Training and Education Committee; matchmaking between interns and companies
  • June 2026: Candidates submit Mitacs Accelerate application packages
  • August 2026 – January 2027: Internship start date

How to Apply

Applications to the Mitacs-Stem Cell Network partnership is a two-stage process: An SCN application package, and then a Mitacs Accelerate application package. Applicants may apply in English or in French.

Stage 1

  1. SCN application package (due February 27, 2026) will be evaluated by SCN’s Training and Education Committee (TEC).
    1. All candidates must submit the applications package, which includes the upload of the Candidate CV, biosketch, company preferences, and a “selfie” video link.
    2. In addition, SCN requires a letter of support from the candidate’s supervisor detailing how the candidate’s participation in the internship program will benefit the candidate and the lab’s stem cell research program. After you submit your application, your references will automatically receive an email with instructions to upload their confidential letters.
      You must submit your application form AND ensure your reference letter is uploaded in advance of the deadline. Please follow up with your referee to ensure they receive this email and submit their letters by February 27, 2026.
      We strongly recommend contacting your references well in advance of the deadline.
  2. Top-ranked application packages will be matched to companies marked in the “Interested” columns by SCN management and the TEC. SCN will attempt to match candidate preferences but cannot guarantee applicants will be matched with their top choices.
  3. Companies will review application packages.
  4. An introductory meeting will be arranged between the company and the candidate.
  5. If all parties agree to move forward, an official invitation letter to apply in Stage 2 will be issued by SCN.

All candidates will be notified by SCN of the Stage 1 outcomes.

Stage 2

Successful eligible applicants from Stage 1 will be invited to submit a Mitacs Accelerate application.

  1. June 2026: Deadline for submission of full application package to Mitacs. Note: extensions may be granted by SCN/Mitacs upon request.
  2. June-July 2026: Mitacs review process
  3. Successful candidates notified by Mitacs once peer review is completed.

Projects are expected to start no earlier than August 2026.

Application Package and Selfie Video Instructions

A complete expression of interest application package must contain the following materials, in addition to the application form: 

A) Candidate’s CV

B) A biosketch outlining the candidate’s expertise and notable career contributions and achievements (max. 1 page).

C) A link to a short 3-minute “selfie” video in which the candidate introduces themselves, including their expertise, contributions, and career aspirations, and any other attributes that make them a good candidate for an internship. See instructions below. 

D) A letter of support from the candidate’s supervisor detailing how the candidate’s participation in the internship program will benefit the candidate and the lab’s stem cell research program as a whole. After you submit your application, your references will automatically receive an email with instructions to upload their confidential letters.

Please follow up with them to ensure they receive this email and submit their letters by February 27, 2026.

We strongly recommend contacting your references well in advance of the deadline.

Instructions on producing a 3-minute “selfie” video (this method requires Zoom & YouTube)

The “selfie” video should be a short (3 minutes max) video of you speaking to the camera, and during which you introduce yourself and then briefly cover your expertise, contributions and career aspirations, and any other attributes that make you a good candidate for an internship. Note: You should make only one “selfie” video – this video will be presented to all companies that you are interested in, so avoid referring to specifics regarding a single company or project. If you need assistance with video upload contact TrainingSCN@stemcellnetwork.ca. If you cannot upload your video via YouTube due to privacy concerns, etc., please contact SCN and we will discuss alternative arrangements. These instructions will assist you in uploading the Zoom call recording to YouTube as an “unlisted” video. An unlisted video is a type of private video. “Unlisted” means that only people who know the link to the video can view it. An unlisted video will not appear in any of YouTube’s public spaces (such as search results, your channel, or the Browse page).

Step-by-step Instructions for "selfie" video

  1. Start a Zoom meeting with only yourself participating and check that your webcam and microphone are working.
  2. Click on the “record on this machine” option in Zoom.
  3. Proceed to record your 3-minute video.
  4. Once you have finished, end the call.
  5. You will be prompted to choose a location to save the Zoom recording. Note down this location.
  6. Log in to YouTube using your Google account.
  7. Click on “Create” on the upper right-hand side of the screen.
  8. Press “Select files” to locate the video file saved on your computer or drag and drop the file into the window.
  9. Give your video a title and include your name in the title. All other details are optional.
  10. To ensure that the video is unlisted, select “Unlisted” under privacy settings.
  11. Copy the video link and paste it into the appropriate section below.

Eligibility

  • This internship is intended for students in Masters/PhD programs or for Postdoctoral fellows. Trainees must work in a Canadian University or research institute in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine.
  • Applicants must be legally permitted to reside and work in Canada by the award start date. There are no citizenship requirements for this program. SCN and Mitacs welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourages applications from persons with disabilities or members of underrepresented groups in the sciences.
  • Interns may be required to travel to participate in this opportunity (see below for financial details). Interns are anticipated to spend 25-75% of their time interacting directly with the company host.
  • When creating intern-company matches, the SCN TEC may prioritize companies who have not received SCN funding in the last two years.

Conditions

  • Successful candidates are eligible for funding of $30,000 CAD, for two four-month terms, fully funded by both Mitacs and Stem Cell Network.
  • The $30,000 award breaks down as follows:
    • $20,000 ($10,000 per term) as a mandatory minimum stipend
    • $10,000 for flexible research expenses which could be allocated towards consumables for the project, eligible travel and relocation expenses, or additional stipend

About Our Partner(s)

Established in 1999, Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation in Canada by solving business challenges with research solutions from the best academic institutions at home and around the world. For more than 20 years, Mitacs has worked with over 165 postsecondary partners, thousands of companies, and federal and provincial governments to build partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada.