Closed
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The FESTQ program offers up to 100% funding for some CIEC coordinator roles and up to 90% of student wages for summer jobs. It supports student employment and collective entrepreneurship projects, including student hiring, coordination roles, and pre-startup collective enterprise initiatives.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Develop workforce skills
- Start a business
Eligible Funding
- Up to 90% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-financial cooperative
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Youth (<40)
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Hiring students for summer employment in eligible sectors.
- Hiring coordinators for CIEC collective entrepreneurship projects.
- Supporting pre-startup collective enterprise projects.
Documents Needed
- Quebec Enterprise Register information.
- Most recent financial statements.
- Proof of student school attendance from the previous session.
- Employer void cheque.
- Student pay stubs and record of employment.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Private small businesses
- Social economy and community action organizations
- Labour organizations
- Agri-food cooperatives
- CIEC projects
Who is not eligible
- Employers in the private small business, social economy, or cooperative sectors can submit only one project per year.
Eligible expenses
- Student salaries.
- Vacation pay indemnity.
- Coordinator salary funding and a lump sum for a second coordination role.
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Selection criteria
- Project relevance.
- Ability to offer an enriching student experience.
- Potential impact on student skill development.
How to apply
- Step 1: Submit the project
- Register on the Fonds étudiant portal.
- Submit the project by the deadline for your sector.
- Provide the required business documents.
- Step 2: Recruit the student
- Complete student recruitment by the applicable deadline.
- Provide the required student and employer documents.
- Step 3: Request reimbursement
- Submit the final payroll and employment documents by September 30.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by a selection committee after the project deadline.
- Applicants are notified by email of the decision.
- If approved, the process continues with student recruitment and reimbursement.
Additional information
- The program is subject to rigorous project review.
- New applications generally open in late January.
- Applicant inquiries are answered within 48 business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions about the FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2 Program
What is the FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2?
The FESTQ program offers up to 100% funding for some CIEC coordinator roles and up to 90% of student wages for summer jobs. It supports student employment and collective entrepreneurship projects, including student hiring, coordination roles, and pre-startup collective enterprise initiatives.
How much funding can be received?
FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2 Funds up to 90% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2 program?
To be eligible for the FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2 program, you must:
Eligible employer category
Project must fit FESTQ I or II
One project per year for some employers
What expenses are eligible under FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2?
Hiring students for summer employment in eligible sectors.
Hiring coordinators for CIEC collective entrepreneurship projects.
Supporting pre-startup collective enterprise projects.
Where is the FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2 available?
The FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2 program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2 a grant, loan, or tax credit?
FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2 is a Wage Subsidies And Interns
Who are the financial supporters of the FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2?
FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2 is funded by Solidarity Funds (FTQ)