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Source verified July 6, 2026
BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)
Wage subsidies for student placements in biosciences
Latest source updateLast Update: July 6, 2026Latest change: Changed: timeline and deadlines, eligibility, application process.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: July 6, 2026
Latest change: Changed: timeline and deadlines, eligibility, application process.
Grant changed: timeline and deadlines, eligibility
We detected changes to timeline and deadlines, eligibility, application process, contact or portal details, funding terms, scope and target audience.
Funding available
$ 5,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The Student Work Placement Program supports bioscience and eligible healthcare employers across Canada in hiring post-secondary students through paid work-integrated learning placements. It offers wage subsidies for student wages, with placements lasting 4 to 16 weeks and multiple terms available for longer placements.
/100
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
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 99 employees maximum
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Paid work-integrated learning placements for post-secondary students.
- Placements in biotechnology/biosciences or healthcare settings with overlap into the bio-economy.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Bioscience employers.
- Healthcare employers with an overlap with the bio-economy.
- Employers creating a work-integrated learning opportunity.
Who is not eligible
- Post-secondary institutions acting as the employer of record.
- International students.
- Students who are not actively enrolled or have not started their program.
Eligible expenses
- Student wages.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Wages funded by other Federal grants such as CIHR, NSERC, Canada Summer Jobs, or by another federally-funded program such as IRAP or Mitacs.
- Placements funded through a stipend, scholarship, or bursary.
- Participants hired as contractors.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
How to apply
- Sign in to your BioTalent Canada user account.
- On your dashboard, click My Applications under Employer Support Applications.
- Click Start Program Application to begin.
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
- Applications are accepted year-round and are prioritized by term.
- Employers with 99 or fewer employees are no longer required to demonstrate that student placements are incremental or net new from the previous year of hiring with no government funding.
- Employers who complete BioTalent Canada’s Workplace Sexual Harassment training may be eligible for priority review of up to five SWPP applications.
- BioTalent Canada accepts applications only through its online portal; PDFs are no longer accepted.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) Program
What is the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)?
The Student Work Placement Program supports bioscience and eligible healthcare employers across Canada in hiring post-secondary students through paid work-integrated learning placements. It offers wage subsidies for student wages, with placements lasting 4 to 16 weeks and multiple terms available for longer placements.
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:
The employer must create a work-integrated learning opportunity.
The employer or the position must have a biotechnology, biosciences, or healthcare focus with an overlap with the bio-economy.
Medium and large employers with 100+ employees must show placements are over and above their historical baseline.
What expenses are eligible under BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)?
Paid work-integrated learning placements for post-secondary students.
Placements in biotechnology/biosciences or healthcare settings with overlap into the bio-economy.
Who can I contact for more information about the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)?
You can contact BioTalent Canada by email at askme@biotalent.ca or by phone at 1-866-243-2472.
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