Open
BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)
Wage subsidies for student placements in biosciences
Last Update: May 7, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000
Timeline
- Open Date : May 7, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
The program offers wage subsidies to help employers hire students for work-integrated learning placements in biosciences and healthcare across Canada. It covers up to 70% of a student’s salary to a maximum of $7,000 for first-year students and under-represented groups.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : May 7, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Sole proprietorship
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Other Racialized Persons
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Research
- Hospitals and Rehabilitation
- Other Health Services
- Employment and Training
- Business Associations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Young adults
- Indigenous peoples
- New immigrants & refugees
- People with disabilities
- Women & girls
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Paid student work placements.
- Work-integrated learning opportunities.
- Student placements in bioscience or healthcare settings.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Bioscience employers
- Healthcare organizations with bio-economy overlap
- Employers offering work-integrated learning placements
Who is not eligible
- Post-secondary institutions acting as employer of record.
- International students.
- Students between programs.
- Contractors instead of payroll employees.
Eligible expenses
- Student wage subsidies for eligible placements.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Wages funded by other federal programs or grants.
- Placements paid through stipends, scholarships, or bursaries.
- Contractor placements.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by BioTalent Canada after submission.
- Incomplete or unclear applications may be returned for updates.
- Applicants are notified by email once a decision is made.
- Approved applicants must sign a contract in PandaDoc.
- Monthly online claims are required for reimbursement.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Applications may be placed on a limited-capacity waitlist due to overwhelming demand, especially for summer-term placements.
- BioTalent Canada offers free access to new training programs once the placement is approved.
- The program is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program.
- Placements funded through stipends, scholarships, or bursaries do not qualify for this program.
- Student work placements must be considered net new hires, beyond a company's baseline hiring records.
- Employers must add students to their payroll including Federal/Provincial tax deductions.
Frequently Asked Questions about the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) Program
What is the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)?
The program offers wage subsidies to help employers hire students for work-integrated learning placements in biosciences and healthcare across Canada. It covers up to 70% of a student’s salary to a maximum of $7,000 for first-year students and under-represented groups.
How much funding can be received?
BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) program?
To be eligible for the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) program, you must:
Work-integrated learning placement required
Biotech or healthcare focus
Student on payroll
What expenses are eligible under BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)?
Paid student work placements.
Work-integrated learning opportunities.
Student placements in bioscience or healthcare settings.
Where is the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) available?
The BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) program is available across Canada.
Is the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is a Wage Subsidies And Interns
Who are the financial supporters of the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)?
BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is funded by BioTalent Canada