Events

Board Meeting with DG Chris and AG Lead John 

District Governer Chris Hornberger - Presentation on District Atlantic 7815

Area Governer Lead John McNeil - Club Visit 

Rotary Friendship Exchange Visit from Netherlands 

What is a Mitacs project?

Mitacs projects are short-term (typically 4 months) applied research or innovation internships. They connect NSCC students or recent graduates with industry or community partners to solve real-world challenges. Projects are co-designed by the industry partner and faculty supervisor and are structured to ensure the intern can complete most tasks independently, with support available as needed

There are two streams of Mitacs projects:

- Mitacs Accelerate: Focuses on research and development projects. These require a clear research question and formal methodology, and applications are sent for external peer review.

  Learn more: https://www.mitacs.ca/our-programs/accelerate/

- Business Strategy Internship (BSI): Supports a wide range of innovative, non-research projects. These do not require formal research methodology, and applications are not externally reviewed.

  Learn more: https://www.mitacs.ca/our-programs/business-strategy-internship/

What is the role of the industry partner?

Industry partners are essential to the success of Mitacs projects. Your role includes:

- Collaborating with NSCC to define the project scope and goals

- Providing access to relevant data, tools, or facilities (if applicable)

- Being available for regular check-ins and questions throughout the project

- Offering feedback on deliverables

- Ensuring timely payment of the project contribution

You are not expected to supervise the intern directly—NSCC provides support to help ensure the project stays on track.

What types of organizations are eligible?

Mitacs funding is open to a wide range of organizations, including:

- For-profit companies

- Not-for-profit organizations

- Municipalities

- Hospitals

If your organization has an innovative project and is willing to contribute financially, you may be eligible.

What does it cost to participate?

Industry partners contribute $7,500 + tax per project. Mitacs matches this to create a $15,000 project budget, which covers intern compensation and support.

How do we apply for Mitacs funding?

NSCC will guide you through the application process. It involves:

- Defining the project scope

- Completing a short online application

- Paying the invoice issued by Mitacs

Interns and NSCC staff often assist with the paperwork.

How long does approval take?

The full process can take 8–12 weeks. This includes:

- Application preparation

- Mitacs review

- Invoice payment

- Award letter issuance

- NSCC payroll setup

Projects cannot begin until NSCC receives the award letter and sets up payroll.

What support is available during the project?

While the intern works independently, support is available from:

- Beth Easson, Student Innovation Coordinator – monitors progress and helps resolve issues

- Faculty Supervisor – provides technical guidance

These roles help ensure the project is successful, but day-to-day mentorship is not their primary responsibility.

What if the intern is struggling or off track?

NSCC monitors intern progress and will intervene if needed. You can contact the Student Innovation Coordinator if you have concerns or need support.

Can we do more than one project?

Absolutely! Many organizations run multiple Mitacs projects. Each project requires a separate application and contribution, but NSCC can help streamline the process.

Who can we contact for help or questions?

Please reach out to:

- Joanne Firth, Industry Liaison Officer – joanne.firth@nscc.ca

- Beth Easson, Student Innovation Coordinator – beth.easson@ns