Open
Source verified April 10, 2026
Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive
Tax credit for hiring co-op graduates
Latest source updateLast Update: April 10, 2026Latest change: The program page now points employers to CRA support and the registry was refreshed with updated approved programs and date information.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: April 10, 2026
Latest change: The program page now points employers to CRA support and the registry was refreshed with updated approved programs and date information.
Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive updated
The Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive page now directs employer questions to the Canada Revenue Agency instead of Manitoba Finance, and the contact phone number shown on the page has changed. The approved program registry was also refreshed, with updated program listings and the date changing from October 2022 to April 2026. The page structure is narrower than before, and the registry content now shows additional or revised co-op program coverage across institutions. No change is visible to the core funding rate or maximum amount on the graduates incentive page.
Funding available
$ 5,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened January 1, 2003
Location
Manitoba, Canada
Overview
Employers who hire and retain graduates from registered co-operative education programs in full-time employment can claim 15% of wages and salaries, up to a maximum of $2,500 in each of the first two years of employment. The program supports full-time jobs in Manitoba that are related to the graduate’s field of study.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 15% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Manitoba
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Higher Education
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- Young adults
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Hiring and retaining co-op graduates in full-time employment in Manitoba.
- Creating work placements and employment opportunities linked to a graduate’s field of study.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Private companies
- Co-operatives
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Unincorporated employers
- Corporations and other income tax-exempt organizations
Who is not eligible
- Provincial government departments
- Federal government departments
Eligible expenses
- Wages and salaries paid to eligible co-op graduates.
Eligible geographic areas
- Manitoba
Selection criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for the Co-op Students Hiring Incentive and Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive in Manitoba include:
- Employers must hire students or graduates from registered co-operative education programs
- Employers can claim 15% of wages and salaries, up to a maximum of $5,000 per student
- Eligible employers include taxable corporations or exempt corporate entities
- Crown corporations and other provincial government entities are not eligible for this credit
How to apply
- Step 1: Complete the co-op program approval application
- Provide the institution, program, and contact details.
- Answer the co-op program eligibility and monitoring questions.
- Step 2: Sign the declaration
- Obtain the required signatures from the program director and a dean or other authorized official.
- Step 3: Submit the form
- Send the completed form to PSI@gov.mb.ca.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are submitted by completing the co-op program approval form and sending it to PSI@gov.mb.ca.
- The form is reviewed by the Department of Education and Training.
- The program must confirm it meets the eligibility requirements in Section 3.
- The applicant must certify the information is true and complete.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Both COS-HI and COG-HI are fully refundable credits.
- Unincorporated employers can claim the refundable credit on the individual income tax return.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive Program
What is the Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive?
Employers who hire and retain graduates from registered co-operative education programs in full-time employment can claim 15% of wages and salaries, up to a maximum of $2,500 in each of the first two years of employment. The program supports full-time jobs in Manitoba that are related to the graduate’s field of study.
How much funding can be received?
Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive Funds up to 15% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive program?
To be eligible for the Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive program, you must:
Hire a co-op graduate
Full-time employment in Manitoba
Work related to field of study
What expenses are eligible under Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive?
Hiring and retaining co-op graduates in full-time employment in Manitoba.
Creating work placements and employment opportunities linked to a graduate’s field of study.
Who can I contact for more information about the Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive?
You can contact Government of Manitoba by email at tao@gov.mb.ca or by phone at 204-945-1833.
Where is the Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive available?
The Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive program is available the province of Manitoba.
Is the Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Co-op Graduates Hiring Incentive is a Tax Credits