Mental health innovation funding for master’s and college students

Mitacs and Mental Health Research Canada partner again to offer internships to improve mental health services

Toronto, ON — Mitacs and Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) are partnering for a second time to support the development of the next generation of mental health researchers. The collaboration will provide funding for master’s and college students from eligible institutions across Canada to engage in innovative and relevant mental health research.

The program is designed to narrow the gap between research and practice and ensure stakeholder engagement. Interns will gain practical experience while having a direct impact on their communities. To accomplish that outcome, they will partner with either a front-line mental health service provider or members of a target community and integrate the insights of people with lived experience into each stage of their projects.

Candidates are eligible for funding of $15,000 for a six-month internship. In addition to the community or service provider, researchers will work with an academic supervisor and a partner organization, such as a business, a not-for-profit organization, or a municipality. The Mitacs-MHRC partnership is fully funded, which means internships will have no cost for other project partners.

Applications are due on August 30, 2021. Please visit the MHRC website to learn more.

Quotes:

Akela Peoples, CEO, Mental Health Research Canada

“We are delighted to partner with Mitacs for three years to build imperative bridges between research and practice. This partnership will support capacity building in mental health research, ensuring student researchers get important front-line, community-based experience. Collaborations in the sector ensure our collective impact is deepened and that we are effectively working together to ensure better mental health for all Canadians at a time when it has never been more important.”

John Hepburn, CEO and Scientific Director, Mitacs

“We believe that strengthening the relationship between mental health service providers, the community, and academia is crucial to produce research with impact. Through this exciting partnership with MHRC, we support the next generation of researchers and contribute to innovation in the mental health system in Canada. This effort wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing financial support of the Government of Canada, as well as the provinces, a territory, and partners across the country.”

About MHRC:

MHRC is a national, charitable organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of the one in five Canadians – over 7 million people – living with mental illness. The impact is profound: mental illness affects their physical well-being, their relationships with family and friends, and their ability to work. MHRC is here to change that. We advance mental health research that is problem-solving, cost-effective and usable in the real world, transforming treatments and prevention in creative and collaborative ways. Because we are committed to building knowledge that will have practical application and deep impact, we begin with those who will use it – people with lived experience. We also consult and partner with other stakeholders, including other mental health organizations, social agencies, entrepreneurs, business and government. www.mhrc.ca

About Mitacs:

• Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation in Canada by solving business challenges with innovative solutions from academic institutions.
• Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada along with the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.

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