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BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) - Canada

BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

Last Update: July 22, 2025
Canada
Funding to hire co-ops in healthcare or bio-economy

At a glance

Eligible Funding
  • Max. $7,000
  • Up to 70% of project cost
Timeline
  • Open Date : December 1, 2024
  • Closing date : March 31, 2025
Financing Type
Wage Subsidies And Interns
Eligible Industries
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Educational services
  • Health care and social assistance
Funds Providers
Unspecified
Program status
Opening Soon

Overview

If you’re in the business of healthcare or bioscience, you could get connected with a post-secondary student to work with you on a project up to 16 weeks and a subsidy to cover 70% of their salary, up to $7,000.

Activities funded

This grant is available to companies located throughout Canada, as it is a national program. Eligible companies must be able to offer work-integrated learning opportunities in biotechnology or healthcare sectors across the nation.
  • Companies located in any province or territory in Canada.
  • Organizations conducting biotechnology or healthcare-related work across Canada.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 4,500
Hire a pharmacy student to improve medication management systems
$ 7,000
Hire a biotechnology student for research in cancer cell biology
$ 7,000
Provide a work-integrated learning opportunity in pediatric healthcare
$ 5,000
Support a psychology student in mental health outreach initiative
$ 6,000
Engage a student from UBC for healthcare data analytics project
$ 5,600
Engage a business student for a healthcare startup’s financial analysis

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined based on the employer's ability to create a suitable work-integrated learning opportunity and adherence to the program's distinct criteria.
  • The employer must be creating a work-integrated learning opportunity that meets the program criteria.
  • The employer should be a biotechnology or healthcare organization, or the position should have a biotechnology or healthcare focus.
  • The employer must ensure the student placement is additional to the baseline number of students previously hired and not funded by other Federal grants.
  • Students must be added to the employer’s payroll with Federal/Provincial tax deductions.

Who is eligible?

The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is available to Canadian employers that meet specific criteria related to biotechnology or healthcare and are looking to create work-integrated learning opportunities for students.
  • Employers must provide work opportunities in biotechnology or healthcare fields.
  • Employers can be any organization with a biotechnology or healthcare focus.
  • Students hired must be enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution full- or part-time.
  • Students must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugees legally entitled to work in Canada.

Who is not eligible

This grant does not specify restrictions related to certain companies or industries based on status or main activities. Eligibility is instead focused on meeting certain conditions related to bio-economy and healthcare functions.

Eligible expenses

The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) supports projects that aim to enhance the job-readiness of students enrolled in various programs at Canadian post-secondary institutions. The eligible activities are focused on providing work-integrated learning opportunities within the bio-economy and healthcare sectors.
  • Hiring students for roles with biotechnology or healthcare focus.
  • Creating net new student placements that align with bio-economy or healthcare job functions.
  • Engaging in projects aimed at developing business, technical, and essential skill sets of students.
  • Offering part-time or full-time work opportunities for students, ensuring they meet the minimum duration and hour requirements.
  • Utilizing wage subsidies to offset costs associated with hiring students from under-represented groups.
  • Ensuring student placements contribute to the employer’s workforce strategy, developing talent for future recruitment needs.

Eligible geographic areas

The grant covers the wage subsidy for student placements to support work-integrated learning opportunities.
  • Wage subsidies covering 50% of a student's salary up to $5,000.
  • Wage subsidies covering 70% of a student's salary up to $7,000 for first-year students and under-represented groups.

Selection criteria

Below are the evaluation and selection criteria for the Student Work Placement Program grant:
  • Demonstrated need for funding to support student work placements
  • Alignment of the proposed work placement with the program's objectives
  • Clear plan for integrating the student into the organization and providing valuable work experience
  • Commitment to support the student's learning and development
  • Capacity to provide a safe and inclusive work environment for the student
  • Potential for the work placement to lead to future employment opportunities

How to apply

1

Create an Account

  • Log into the BioTalent Canada website.
  • If you don't have an account, create a new one providing necessary details.
2

Access Dashboard

  • Sign in to your BioTalent Canada user account.
  • Navigate to the 'My Applications' section under Wage Subsidy Applications.
3

Submit New Application

  • Click on the 'Submit new wage subsidy application' button.
  • Complete the application form with details about your placement opportunity.
  • Ensure all required fields are filled accurately and submit the application.
4

Confirmation and Follow-up

  • Receive an email confirmation verifying the submission of your application.
  • If placed on a limited-capacity waitlist, await further communication via email.

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.

Documents and links

BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)?

Who is eligible for the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) program?

Who can I contact for more information about the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)?

Where is the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) available?

Are startups eligible for the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) program?

Are women eligible for the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) program?

Are youth (under 40) eligible for the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) program?

Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) program?

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