Mitacs is a national nonprofit that bridges academia, industry, and government to drive research and innovation. With a clear commitment to equity and impact, Mitacs launched a multi-year strategy to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into every part of its internal operations, external programs, and partnerships.
Inclusive Innovation Action Plan
On April 17, 2023, Mitacs launched Stream 1 of its Inclusive Innovation Action Plan (IIAP), is a three-year strategic framework (2023–2026) designed to embed EDI and Indigenous principles across Mitacs’s internal systems, programs, and partnerships. The plan is structured around three key action streams:
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Equitable Systems and Processes
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Access and Support for Equity-Deserving Students
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Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem Through Networks and Partnerships
The IIAP is rooted in the belief that inclusive innovation begins by removing systemic barriers, empowering underrepresented groups, and expanding access through collaboration.
As part of this framework, Mitacs introduced Stream 1, which focuses specifically on internal transformation. Stream 1 aims to ensure that the organization’s people systems and day-to-day operations reflect the values of equity and inclusion from the inside out.
People-first design, policy-level change
Stream 1 of the IIAP included wide-ranging updates to internal infrastructure. The plan prioritized:
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Pay transparency in job postings
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Inclusive hiring and recruitment policies & EDI learning sessions
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Targeted accessibility training for 25 staff across 8 teams with topics such as: accessible event planning, website accessibility, graphic design principles, UAT/PDF accessibility standards
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EDI competency coaching for 11 executives and senior leaders
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Policy reforms covering recruitment & selection, board diversity, & corporate financial equity
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A working group to improve parental leave offboarding, onboarding & overall experience
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Culture Coffee chats to support team connection in a remote-first work environment
To support flexibility, Mitacs also formalized a remote-first working model. Employees have access to in-person office spaces, but are not required to follow a hybrid or in-office mandate. This approach allows staff to work in ways that best meet their needs and improves access across geographies and abilities.
Sustained learning, measurable impact
Mitacs delivers four EDI learning sessions per year across the organization and measures progress using inclusion and engagement data. The organization’s inclusion score rose from 70.5 in 2022 to 72.3 in 2023, consistently outperforming the national benchmark of 60.5 for both years.
These scores reflect the strength of initiatives that prioritize both employee experience and organizational accountability. Feedback from employees highlights the value of ongoing education, updated policies, and flexible work options.
A model for inclusive innovation
Through Stream 1 of the Inclusive Innovation Action Plan, Mitacs has embedded EDI into its culture, operations, and daily employee experience. This internal transformation strengthens employee engagement and builds a foundation for broader impact. As the organization continues its work in academia, government, and industry, it sets a new standard for what inclusive innovation looks like in practice.
