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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.
Documents and links
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)?
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