How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 25% of admissible expenses.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program?

Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program is funded by Government of Nova Scotia

What are Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program's eligibility criterias?

Employers must be a small business with fewer than 100 employees, a start-up company incorporated within 2 years of the application, or a social enterprise, non-profit organization, or registered charity with recognized standing. For GTO Innovate, employers must operate a for-profit business with no more than 200 full-time employees. Employers are not eligible if receiving other government wage funding for the position.

Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program

Last Update: January 24, 2025

Halifax, NS

Subsidy for Nova Scotia graduate salaries

Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 25% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Wage Subsidies And Interns

Eligible Industries

All industries

Grant Providers

Government of Nova Scotia

Status

Open

Overview of the Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program program

This funding covers up to 35% of the annual salaries for new graduate hires.

Financing terms and conditions

The Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program provides specific salary subsidies to employers hiring recent graduates in Nova Scotia, with additional incentives for certain groups. These subsidies are aimed at easing the financial burden of hiring and supporting workforce development in the province.

GTO Grow provides employers with 25% of the first year's salary and 12.5% of the second year's salary.
GTO Innovate offers eligible employers 30% of the first year's salary and 15% of the second year's salary when hiring recent master's or PhD graduates for innovation-focused roles.
An additional 10% subsidy in the first year is available if the hired graduate self-identifies with certain underrepresented or minority groups.
Both Grow and Innovate streams stipulate minimum salary conditions for eligibility.

Eligible projects & activities

The Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) program encourages activities focused on hiring recent graduates in Nova Scotia, aiming to strengthen the workforce and promote innovation. The eligible activities are centered on creating new, full-time, permanent roles tailored to recent graduates and supporting innovation-focused positions.

Hiring recent graduates for new, permanent, full-time positions that align with their field of study.
Creating innovation-focused jobs for recent masters or PhD graduates, ensuring that at least half of their work time is dedicated to innovation activities such as applied research and product development.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 18,848

Improving customer service efficiency through a new CRM system implementation

$ 21,175

Conducting a technical feasibility study for a new AI-based healthcare solution

$ 17,836

Pilot project for the launch of an organic skincare product line

$ 16,800

Developing an advanced data analysis tool for financial market predictions

$ 15,516

Conducting a market analysis for the launch of an eco-friendly packaging product

$ 15,799

Improving product quality through innovative material engineering processes

Eligibility criteria of the Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program program

Eligibility for the Graduate to Opportunity grant is determined by specific requirements related to the employer's profile and hiring practices.

The employer must be a small business with fewer than 100 employees, a start-up company incorporated within 2 years of the application date, or a social enterprise, non-profit organization, or registered charity.
For GTO Innovate, the employer must operate a for-profit business with no more than 200 full-time employees.
The hired graduate must not have been working for the employer on a permanent basis before the GTO application is approved.
The employer cannot receive other government wage funding for the position, although they may receive funds for related projects.
The employer must not be hiring an apprentice in a registered trade for the program; they should apply for the START program if applicable.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) program include Nova Scotia employers who fall into specific categories. Applicants can apply under either the GTO Grow or GTO Innovate streams, depending on their circumstances.- For GTO Grow: - Small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. - Start-up companies incorporated within two years of the application date. - Social enterprises, non-profit organizations, or registered charities with recognized standing. - Employers must hire a recent graduate into a new, permanent, full-time position paying at least $37,500 annually, related to the graduate's field of study.- For GTO Innovate: - For-profit businesses that employ no more than 200 full-time employees. - Employers must hire a recent master's or PhD graduate for an innovation-focused job paying at least $60,000 annually.Both streams offer an additional 10% subsidy in the first year if the graduate hired belongs to certain underrepresented or minority groups. Graduate candidates must have completed a post-secondary program within one year prior to starting work, and the position must not receive other government wage funding. Apprentices in registered trades are not eligible for this program.

Who is not eligible

The GTO program guidelines specify certain restrictions on eligibility primarily related to the status of the company and receipt of other funding. However, specific types of companies or industries that cannot apply are not explicitly listed beyond these conditions.

Employers receiving other government wage funding for the same position.
Employers intending to hire apprentices in registered trades, as a separate START program is available for apprentices.

Eligible expenses

The Graduate to Opportunity program provides financial assistance towards the salaries of newly hired graduates in specified roles.

Salaries for recent graduates hired into new, permanent, full-time positions.
Additional subsidies for eligible graduates who belong to designated groups (e.g., Mi'kmaq or Indigenous, African Nova Scotian, visible minority, person with a disability, 2SLGBTQIA+ community, under-represented female occupations, international students).

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies and organizations located within the province of Nova Scotia. Its primary aim is to bolster local workforce development and retain young professionals in the region.

Businesses located in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program program

The Graduate to Opportunity program in Nova Scotia has specific evaluation and selection criteria for applicants.

The graduate you hire must have completed a post-secondary program within 1 year of their first day of work.
The program can't consider graduate-employees who have been working for the employer on a permanent basis before the GTO application is approved.
Employers must not be eligible for other government wage funding for the position.
Apprentices in registered trades are not eligible for the program.

How to apply to the Graduate to Opportunity (GTO) Program program

Review Eligibility

Check if your organization meets the eligibility criteria for either GTO Grow or GTO Innovate.
Ensure the graduate you plan to hire meets the necessary conditions.

Gather Required Documents

Prepare a detailed job description for the position you are hiring for.
Obtain a T4 Summary for your organization.

Pre-Application Preparation

Download and familiarize yourself with the Graduate to Opportunity Program Guidelines (PDF).
Describe your organization and the role you wish to fill in detail.

Create a LaMPSS Account

Submit Application

Choose either the GTO Grow or GTO Innovate application link based on your eligibility.
Fill out the online application form thoroughly, ensuring all information is accurate.
Submit the completed application and any required documents through the LaMPSS system.

Wait for Decision

Allow up to two weeks for the application review process.
Receive notification of whether your application has been approved.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The program provides an additional 10% salary subsidy in the first year for hiring graduates from certain underrepresented groups.
The graduate must not have been employed by the employer on a permanent basis before the GTO application approval.
The application review process usually takes about 2 weeks.
Employers must create or access a LaMPSS Account to apply online.

Contact Government of Nova Scotia

yepinfo@novascotia.ca

902-424-6000

Apply to this program

Marine research facility in Ketch Harbour, Nova Scotia