Where to Get Funding

The School Works Co-op and Apprentice Wage Subsidy programs are open to businesses, non-profit and First Nations organizations, and public bodies with business headquarters located within the Columbia Basin Trust region. The Apprentice Wage Subsidy supports hiring apprentices for full-time employment to complete their first-level work-based training requirements with an $8/hour wage subsidy, and will also support the retention of participating apprentices through their second-level requirements with a $4/hour wage subsidy. The Co-op Wage Subsidy is available for the hiring of students participating in a recognized co-op program, for an $8/hour wage subsidy. Employers are expected to top up wages to the market wage rate for the position. Applications are accepted on first-come, first-served basis.

The PICS Internships program provides support for the hiring of university students at the workplaces pursuing climate change mitigation and adaptation research, planning or implementation. Workplaces can be governments, NGOs, industry and communities in BC. Eligible students must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program at one of the four PICS partner institutions: UVIC, UBC, SFU or UNBC. Students must either be returning to complete their degree programs following the internship, or have completed their programs the semester prior to the start of the internship. PICS will provide $12,000 to hire a student intern for a minimum of 13 weeks. Applications are accepted annually in January.

The British Columbia SR&ED Tax Credit program is designed to encourage research and development in British Columbia that will lead to new, improved, or technologically advanced products or processes. The tax credit is available to qualifying corporations that carry on scientific research and experimental development in B.C. before September 1, 2022 and must be claimed no later than 18 months after the end of the tax year in which the qualified expenditures are incurred.

Through the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), Canadian small and medium-sized businesses can receive funding and other supports to increase their innovation capacity and take ideas to market. Funding is available through technology innovation projects and youth employment strategy programs for incorporated, profit-oriented businesses in Canada with under 500 employees planning to pursue growth and profit by developing and commercializing innovative, technology-driven new or improved products, services or processes in Canada. Inquiries are accepted year-round.

The Mitacs Accelerate program provides support for research partnerships including funding for internships. Organizations partner with academic researchers to develop a project proposal, and must provide a financial contribution of at least $7,500, which is matched by Mitacs. Projects can include multiple interns and span multiple terms. Interns spend about half the term on site working on the research issue in question and collecting data, and the balance of their time at their university further advancing the research under the guidance of a faculty supervisor. Applications are accepted year-round.

The Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program provides support for businesses and nonprofits to implement innovation focused business strategies, which includes funding for internships. Organizations partner with am academic supervisor to develop a project proposal where interns provide technical expertise on everything from operations to finance, to marketing, to intellectual property, and beyond to help businesses develop and implement their innovation roadmap. Organizations must provide a financial contribution of $5,000 or $7,500, which is matched by Mitacs. Projects can include multiple interns and span multiple terms. Interns spend about half the term on site working on the issue in question. Applications are accepted year-round.

Canada Summer Jobs provides funding to help small businesses, public sector employers, and non-profit organizations to hire students under the age of 30 during the summer term. Funding is available to approved employers for up to 50 per cent of minimum wage for private companies and public sector employers, and up to 100 per cent of the minimum wage for non-profit organizations. Applications are accepted in mid January of each year; approval notifications are sent to employers in April.

Canada Green Corps provides support for internships with organizations that are committed to the green economy and contribute to Canada’s commitments on climate and environment. Eligible employers can include non-profit organizations, governments, Indigenous organizations and private companies. This opportunity is not for existing students – interns must be recent students or graduates eligible to work in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) fields and able to work full-time. Applications are accepted year-round.

BioTalent Canada is focused on the growth of Canada’s bio-economy, such as bio-health, bio-energy, bio-industry and agri-biotech. Positions must have a biotechnology focus, or the employer must have a biotechnology focus. For students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) or Business programs.

Growing Opportunities will support positions in the agriculture industry for agriculture and non-agriculture students. Eligible employers include registered Canadian businesses, not-for-profit organizations from the agriculture industry and post-secondary institutions. Positions can include co-op placements, internships, field placements, or applied projects to solve particular problems for employers.

The CCAA works to create work-integrated learning placements in the aviation and aerospace sector. There must be an industry component – the focus of the subsidies is hands-on experience, so a research-only position does not qualify. For students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) or Business programs. Employers do not need to be members of CCAA.

The CMPA’s National Mentorship Program has invested in the next generation of independent producers—and a strong future for our industry—by placing aspiring producers in Canada’s leading production companies. Employers must be members.

The Cultural Human Resources Council is a national not-for-profit arts service organization working with all cultural industries and disciplines in the sector including Digital Media (Content Creators); Film and Television; Live Performing Arts; Music and Sound Recording; Visuals Arts and Crafts; Writing and Publishing; and Heritage. Eligible employers must be a Canadian cultural sector employer, however the student’s field of study does not have to be related to arts and culture. For example, if a Canadian cultural sector employer requires assistance in developing its website, a computer science student could be hired.

Electricity Human Resources Canada’s (EHRC) Empowering Futures Program is Canada’s student work placement initiative for the electricity industry, providing financial incentives of up to $7,000 to employers who create new Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities.

ECO Canada’s program works with employers and post-secondary partners to help students kick-start their career path in the environmental sector, and for employers to hire the brightest minds in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) or Business.

As a preferred partner with the Government of Canada, EMC delivers the Student Work Placement Program subsidy to Canada’s manufacturing industry through their WILWorks Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).

The WILWorks SWPP supports hiring student talent through internships, co-op placements, practicums or applied research projects, in either direct or indirect roles. Eligible students can be enrolled in any program.

The Food Processing Skills Program supports employers in the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing industry to hire students in colleges and universities across the country, across all educational categories from food science to business, engineering and quality assurance.

ICTC’s WIL Digital program aims to develop talent for the emerging ICT sectors. Funding is open to targeted sectors as well as those with a position directly involved in the development or implementation of emerging technology. Students must be enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) or Business.

Magnet brings together employers, students, and post-secondary institution stakeholders to create quality work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities. Registered Canadian businesses or non-profit organizations are eligible for funding. Students from all post-secondary programs are eligible.

Gearing Up is aimed at Canada’s mining sector with a goal to change the way students in mining-related post-secondary programs perceive, pursue and acquire skills needed for mining careers. Employers must be involved in mining or mineral exploration, post-secondary institutions or non-profit organizations. For students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) and Business programs.

Talent Opportunities Program (TOP) is designed to help employers located anywhere in Canada hire college and university students on work placements. Employers must be a registered Canadian business or not-for-profit organization and may operate in any industry sector. Students from all post-secondary programs are eligible.

Career Ready supports businesses that provide meaningful work opportunities that build technical capacity. For students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) or Business programs.

The Propel program can be accessed by businesses from all facets of the visitor economy: accommodations, food and beverage services, recreation and entertainment, transportation, and travel services. Tourism/hospitality employers and/or job functions related to tourism/hospitality are eligible.

Trucking HR Canada advances modern HR solutions for the trucking and logistics workforce. Opportunities must be directly related to the student’s program of study and/or fulfill a trucking or logistics job.

Venture for Canada is open to all industries/sectors, including social enterprises, non-profits, charities and start-ups. Employers are required to provide an internship opportunity that allows entrepreneurial-minded students to contribute to new initiatives or add new value to your organization.