Strained thin film transistors are described. In an example, an integrated circuit structure includes a strain inducing layer on an insulator layer above a substrate. A polycrystalline channel material layer is on the strain inducing layer. A gate dielectric layer is on a first portion of the polycrystalline channel material. A gate electrode is on the gate dielectric layer, the gate electrode having a first side opposite a second side. A first conductive contact is adjacent the first side of the gate electrode, the first conductive contact on a second portion of the polycrystalline channel material. A second conductive contact adjacent the second side of the gate electrode, the second conductive contact on a third portion of the polycrystalline channel material.