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Recognizing the importance of talent development to advance the sector, in 2022, the Stem Cell Network and Mitacs launched a new partnership that will provide tomorrow’s life science leaders with the skills and experience required to work within Canada’s burgeoning RM sector.

The SCN-Mitacs industry-based internship partnership aims to pair the brightest graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with RM-focused biotech companies that are moving innovative therapies and technologies into the marketplace.

This internship partnership is offered through the Mitacs Accelerate program and will match up to five candidates per year with Canadian companies to complete an eight-month internship. Successful candidates will gain exposure to and work experience in industry and develop fundamental technical and business skills by undertaking a stem cell and regenerative medicine-related project. The program will run annually from 2022 to 2025.

To view the 2023-2024 Interns, click here: https://stemcellnetwork.ca/2023-2024-interns/

To view the 2022-2023 Interns, click here: https://stemcellnetwork.ca/2022-2023-interns/

SCN-Mitacs Industry-Based Internship Program 2024-2025

Stage 1 Application Deadline: February 29, 2024
Start Date: July 2024 – January 2025
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 2024 term (for projects beginning no earlier than July 2024) and will fund up to five intern positions.

The application process is closed.

Who Should Apply:
This internship is intended for students in Masters/PhD programs or for Postdoctoral fellows. Recent graduates within two years of their degree and affiliated with an eligible academic institution will also be eligible.

 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):

  • Mediphage Bioceuticals
  • Octane Orthobiologics
  • Axolotl Biosciences
  • Telescope Therapeutics
  • AmacaThera
  • Virano Therapeutics
  • Mesintel Therapeutics

Dates & Key Details

  • February 29, 2024: SCN application package is due
  • March 2024: SCN application packages evaluated by SCN’s Training and Education Committee
  • March-April 2024: Matchmaking between interns and companies
  • May 13, 2024: Candidates submit Mitacs Accelerate application packages
  • July 2024 – January 2025: 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 packages (due February 29, 2024) will be evaluated by SCN’s Training and Education Committee (TEC).
  • All candidates must submit an expression of interest application form, which includes the upload of the Candidate CV, biosketch, company preferences, and a “selfie” video link.
  • 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 as a whole. Letters should be emailed directly to trainingSCN@stemcellnetwork.ca by the application deadline.
  2. Top-ranked application packages will be matched to companies marked in the “Interested” column (see table, above) by SCN management and the TEC.
  3. Companies will review application packages.
  4. An introductory meeting will be arranged between the company, candidate, and PI.
  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. May 13, 2024: Deadline for submission of full application package to Mitacs. Note: extensions may be granted by SCN/Mitacs upon request.
  2. May-June 2024: Mitacs review process
  3. Successful candidates notified by Mitacs once peer review I completed.

Projects are expected to start no earlier than July 2024.

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. Recent graduates within two years of their degree and affiliated with an eligible academic institution will also be eligible.
  • 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). At least two months of the eight-month internship must be hosted by the academic institution.
  • 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
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.

For questions pertaining to this initiative please contact:
Jonathan Draper, PhD., Vice-President, Research and Training, Stem Cell Network
jdraper@stemcellnetwork.ca

Jillian Murray, PhD., Director, Strategic Partnerships, Mitacs
jhatnean@mitacs.ca