FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mitacs and CPCoE Partnerto Build Capacity in Veteran Chronic Pain Research
Montreal, QC - September 15, 2026 – On the occasionof the CPCoE’s 6th annual workshop, the Chronic Pain Centre ofExcellence for Canadian Veterans (CPCoE) and Mitacs are highlighting theprogress of their national partnership to build research capacity and advancesolutions in Veteran health and chronic pain research across Canada.
Mitacs connects research talent with organizations to delivera return on innovation, helping turn research expertise into solutions thataddress real-world challenges.
Through a coordinated two-year initiative, Building Capacityin Veteran Chronic Pain Research, CPCoE and Mitacs are supporting thedevelopment of the next generation of researchers and changemakers.
With 250 internship units approved, the partnership willprovide undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral fellows,with research collaboration opportunities that enable vital work responding tothe needs of Canadian Veterans living with chronic pain.
“The partnership reflects a shared commitment to connectingresearch talent, expertise and investment to challenges that matter to Veterans,”said Dr. Abhimanyu Sud, Chief Scientific Officer at CPCoE. “Chronic pain andrelated health challenges require sustained, multidisciplinary research, whileemerging researchers need opportunities to work on meaningful problemsalongside organizations connected to the communities they serve.”
Since announcing theMitacs partnership in June 2026, CPCoE has seen a remarkable increase inresearch capacity-building activity, with 11 initiatives and postdoctoralfellowships already underway, compared with 12 initiatives supported over theprevious five years. These include four doctoral, three master’s, one FrançoisDupéré Master’s, and three postdoctoral fellowship opportunities, involving sixinstitutions across three provinces and representing $590,000 in committedfunding. By helping mobilize this research activity across Canada, Mitacs isenabling CPCoE to support more emerging researchers, accelerate projects inareas such as chronic pain, mental health, digital health, peer support, andVeteran well-being, and grow the national network of expertise working toimprove the lives of Veterans and their families.
For CPCoE, the partnership strengthens its ability toconnect research priorities, expertise and relationships needed to advanceVeteran health. It also creates stronger pathways for knowledge exchange andimpact by connecting researchers, institutions, government, healthorganizations, policymakers and community partners across the country.
“Mitacs is committed to advancing research that deliversmeaningful outcomes for Canadians, and our collaboration with CPCoE is animportant part of that effort,” said Derek Newton, Senior Vice-President,Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Mitacs. “By supportingemerging researchers and translating knowledge into action, we can help improvethe health, well-being, and quality of life of Veterans.”
Together, Mitacs and CPCoE are building a national communityof practice that connects investment, research talent and expertise to createmeaningful impact for Veterans. The initiative is designed to expand Veteranhealth research opportunities, build new collaborations across sectors anddisciplines, develop the next generation of research talent and connectexpertise from coast to coast.
About CPCoE
The Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veteransadvances research, knowledge translation, and collaboration to improve theprevention and management of chronic pain among Canadian Veterans. Working withpartners across the country, CPCoE supports evidence-informed solutions thatenhance care, policy, and quality of life for Veterans and their families.
About Mitacs
Mitacsdelivers the return on innovation Canada needs now by connecting big ideas,people, and ambition to turn potential into results. Mitacs co-funds innovationpartnerships that get Canada’s businesses and researchers where they need to go.
Mitacspartners innovate faster. Commercialize sooner. Compete globally. Scale andgrow stronger. We open the door to opportunity, creating jobs and equippingstudents and postdoctoral researchers with skills, industry experience, andprofessional networks.
Anot-for-profit organization founded in 2001, Mitacs is funded by the Governmentof Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia,Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government ofNewfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government ofOntario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government ofSaskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.
