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By Émile Audet
December 8, 2025

Who Can Apply for the Riipen Level UP Program

Riipen's Level UP program offers Canadian organizations an excellent opportunity to collaborate with top student talent on short-term projects. These fully subsidized internships are designed to help businesses and non-profits tackle specific challenges while providing students with valuable work experience.

Overview of the Riipen Level UP Program

Level UP internships are made possible through funding from the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Initiatives program. These projects connect organizations with students from top Canadian universities and colleges, allowing them to work remotely or in a hybrid model. Each project is completed over 60 hours, and students receive a stipend paid directly by Riipen.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Organizations

Most Canadian businesses and non-profit organizations can participate in the Level UP program. To qualify, your organization must be:

  • A registered Canadian business or non-profit organization.

  • Not a member of the House of Commons or Senate of Canada.

  • Not engaged in partisan political activities.

  • Not a federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal government entity.

  • Not a publicly funded post-secondary institution.

For complete eligibility requirements, see the complete program guide.

Eligible Projects

Level UP projects should be structured to fit within the 60-hour timeframe and be meaningful for both the student and the organization. These projects are ideal for addressing specific business challenges, and Riipen provides templates and examples to guide project development.

Benefits of Participation

Participating in Level UP offers several benefits:

  • Access to Top Talent: Engage with students from leading Canadian institutions who bring fresh perspectives and skills.

  • Cost-Effective Solutions: Projects are fully subsidized, minimizing financial risk.

  • Flexible Collaboration: Projects can be completed entirely remotely, offering flexibility in how and where work is done.

Special Considerations

While most organizations will find themselves eligible, it is important to consider specific project types and organizational structures that might impact eligibility. For detailed information on these considerations, refer to the complete program guide.

Conclusion

The Riipen Level UP program provides a unique opportunity for Canadian organizations to access top student talent and tackle business challenges with minimal financial investment. To ensure your organization is eligible and to maximize the benefits of participation, consult the complete program guide for detailed information.

About the author

Émile Audet - Canadian grants specialist

Émile Audet

Canadian grants specialist
Working at helloDarwin for some time now, I'm in charge of providing you with the information you need on government aid. Dedicated to helping companies in Quebec and Canada reach their full potential, I write on the helloDarwin blog about the various programs, allowances and funding available to enable organizations to make their digital transformation through access to federal and provincial support.

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