AMCTO and Mitacs have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide up to 15 eight (8)-month paid part-time student internships under the Municipal Innovation Internship Program (MIIP). The internships will run from January 1, 2027 to August 31, 2027.
New for 2026-2027, AMCTO has partnered with the University of Waterloo Future Cities Institute to help identify five (5) municipal projects and interns in alignment with the MIIP goals and objectives.
The AMCTO-Mitacs MIIP matches Ontario municipal governments with post-secondary students studying in Ontario who are interested in careers in local government. It is designed to be a cost-effective resource for municipalities to help identify, advance, improve and/or solve important innovation and/or research challenges. It also provides succession planning support to the sector by presenting students with invaluable exposure to life in municipal government in communities across Ontario. Learn more about the current cohort of MIIP interns and the types of exciting projects they are working on this year.
Municipal Project Applications - Intake Now Open
Municipalities are invited to review the 2026 MIIP Program Guide submit up to two (2) project application(s) through the application portal (linked below). The portal is open until Friday, May 8, 2026, at 12:00pm EST.
Note: the intake for MIIP student internship applications will open in mid-May - stay tuned for further information and details to be announced.
Municipal Project Applications Webinar
Wednesday, February 11 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
To learn more about the MIIP application process, interested municipalities are encouraged to register for the upcoming municipal project applications webinar. This webinar will walk participants through the application process, highlight key dates and timelines for the MIIP, and provide an informal Q&A period.
Note: A separate webinar for students and academic institutions will be held in June during the student application period.
About Mitacs
For over 25 years, Mitacs has helped grow the economy and develop the workforce of tomorrow, connecting industry with academia and global partners to solve real-world challenges. We support business-academic research collaboration through internships, co-funded with businesses, for undergraduate to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
As a national innovation connector, Mitacs takes a talent-first approach to strengthen innovation capacity and drive global competitiveness. We serve as an essential research-commercialization bridge, accelerating market entry and growth for new products and services. This is a critical time for Canada to think big and take bold action. Mitacs is ready to help build a strong and resilient Canadian economy, powered by ideas, talent and innovation.
Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, 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.
About the Future Cities Institute founded by CAIVAN (FCI) at the University of Waterloo
Cities drive the global economy and support diverse, vibrant communities, yet they face urgent challenges, from housing affordability and aging infrastructure to climate change, technological disruption, and demographic change. Meeting these pressures requires applied expertise, strong partnerships, and solutions that can be implemented at scale.
Founded by CAIVAN Communities, the Future Cities Institute brings together interdisciplinary research, industry insight and public-sector experience to advance city building. By connecting academia, industry, government, and communities, the FCI delivers practical tools, evidence and talent that support real-world decision-making and measurable outcomes for cities and communities.
Contact
Please direct any questions regarding the MIIP to amcto@amcto.com.