
FESTQ - Student Funds 1 and 2
grant_single|update June 7, 2025
QC, Canada
FESTQ grants employers to hire student interns
grant_single_labels_website|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDate January 29, 2024
- grant_single|closingDate April 30, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Solidarity Funds — FTQ
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels_website|preview
The FESTQ program offers up to 90% funding of the student's salary to support employers in hiring students from secondary to university levels, aiming to foster self-discovery, social solidarity, and entrepreneurial skills. Eligible activities include initiating entrepreneurial projects and coordinating roles within various sectors such as small private businesses, social economy, and cooperative agricultural enterprises.
grant_single_labels_website|terms_and_conditions
- FESTQ I: Covers up to 90% of the salary paid to students, with the employer responsible for at least 10% and all applicable social charges.
- FESTQ II: Covers up to 100% of the salary paid to student coordinators (excluding vacation pay and social charges, which are paid by the employer).
- Hourly wage and minimum hours by level: Secondary - $18/h for at least 245 hours; College - $19/h for at least 315 hours; University - $20/h for at least 350 hours (FESTQ I). For coordination positions under FESTQ II: $20/h for at least 420 hours, or $20/h for at least 350 hours with a lump sum of $3,000 for a second coordinator position.
grant_single_labels_website|projects
- Employment of secondary, college, or university students in various business sectors through short-term work placements.
- Hiring student coordinators in collective entrepreneurship initiation co-ops (CIEC) to provide entrepreneurial experiences for secondary-level youth.
- Pre-startup projects in collective enterprises, supported through coordinator employment and specific bursaries.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 7,000
A biotechnology firm seeks to hire university students for innovative project development
grant_single_labels_website|admissibility
- The applicant must be a business or organization from eligible sectors, such as private small businesses, social economy organizations, community action organizations, cooperatives, or labour organizations.
- The applicant must submit a project aimed at hiring students from secondary, college, or university levels (FESTQ I), or hiring coordinators for collective entrepreneurship projects (FESTQ II).
- The applicant can only submit one project per year for sectors including private small businesses, social economy organizations, and cooperatives.
- The company must provide required documentation, including business registration information and most recent financial statements, at the application stage.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Small private businesses
- Social economy and community action organizations
- Agri-food cooperatives
- Labour organizations
- Collective entrepreneurship youth co-ops (CIEC)
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
- An employer in the sectors of small private business, social economy, or cooperative can only submit one project per year.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
- Reimbursement of student salaries, based on fixed hourly rates and minimum hours according to the student’s educational level.
- Payment of the holiday pay allowance (indemnity of 4%).
- For certain coordination positions, a lump sum payment (as specified by the program).
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
- Quebec
grant_single_labels_website|apply
1
Submission of your project (Project submission)
- Prepare the statement of information from the Quebec business register.
- Gather the most recent financial statements.
- Submit the project corresponding to your sector of activity before the deadline.
2
Recruitment of the student (Recruitment)
- Obtain proof of the student's school attendance for the session preceding the employment.
- Have the agreement signed between the employer and the student.
- Provide a specimen check from the employer.
3
Request for reimbursement (Reimbursement)
- Gather the student’s pay slips for the employment period.
- Obtain the student’s statement of employment.
- Provide, upon request, proof of payment of the vacation allowance (4%).
grant_single_labels_website|otherInfo
- Each eligible employer may submit only one project per year.
- All projects are subject to a rigorous review to ensure alignment with FESTQ’s mission and values.
- The website updates annually, with new applications generally opening around late January.
- Responses to applicant inquiries are provided within 48 business hours.
Apply to this program

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Quebec, Canada
Enhancing productivity through food industry automation assistance

Wage Subsidies And Internsgrant_card_status|closed
Quebec, Canada
Quebec internship wage subsidies for diverse student inclusion

Tax Creditsgrant_card_status|open
Quebec, Canada
Tax credit for development of a Quebec e-business

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Quebec, Canada
Workforce Development Program Supporting Employee Training in Québec

Wage Subsidies And Internsgrant_card_status|open
Quebec, Canada
Subsidy to hire people having trouble finding work in Quebec

Wage Subsidies And Internsgrant_card_status|open
Quebec, Canada
Subsidy to hire immigrants and visible minorities in Quebec

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Quebec, Canada
HR management support through Concertation pour l'emploi initiative

Tax CreditsWage Subsidies And Internsgrant_card_status|open
Quebec, Canada
Workplace Apprenticeship pairs experienced workers with apprentices

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Québec, Quebec
Set up qualifying training courses to enable your staff to significantly improve their French skills.

Grant and Fundinggrant_card_status|open
Quebec, Canada
Funding nutritious food development projects in Québec businesses