Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Youth Employment Program (YEP)
Canada
Money to hire a student
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJuly 09, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
grant_single|grantors
- National Research Council Canada (NRC)
- Government of Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get financial assistance to help cover the cost of hiring a post-secondary graduate (15 to 30 years old) for 6 to 12 months to work on projects with R&D, engineering, multimedia or market analysis components or the development of a new product or process.
grant_single_labels|projects
This program is accessible to companies based anywhere in Canada, as the initiative is implemented under a national strategy by the National Research Council of Canada.
- Any location within Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$20,000
Developing an AI-driven market analysis tool for small businesses
$25,000
Improving customer service systems for an IT service provider
$30,000
Developing a new mobile app for virtual health consultations
$25,000
Creating an interactive multimedia exhibit about Indigenous cultures
$22,000
Designing a new process for recycling electronic waste
$30,000
Conducting R&D for sustainable packaging solutions's food industry
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for the Youth Employment Program under NRC IRAP requires specific criteria for businesses.
- The business must be a small or medium-sized enterprise with 500 or fewer full-time equivalents.
- The business needs to be incorporated and for-profit.
- The business should be ready to enhance its innovation capacity and willing to partner with NRC IRAP.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Youth Employment Program under NRC IRAP is available to small or medium-sized businesses (500 or fewer full-time employees) that are incorporated and for-profit. These businesses must be ready to enhance their innovation capacity and willing to partner with NRC IRAP.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant overview does not explicitly list any ineligible companies or industries. As such, there are no defined restrictions mentioned for businesses that cannot apply based on their status or primary activity.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant emphasizes the importance of enhancing innovation capacity through collaborative efforts involving young talent. The eligible projects are designed to harness the skills of young Canadians in various business and technology-related sectors.
- Advancement of research and development, engineering, and multimedia activities.
- Development of new products and processes.
- Conducting market analyses for new technology-based products.
- Support in business development related to science and technology activities.
- Improvement of customer services.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers expenses related to the salary costs of hiring young talent for eligible projects.
- Portion of the youth candidate's salary costs.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The Youth Employment Program delivered by NRC IRAP supports small and medium-sized businesses in hiring young talent by providing financial assistance. The selection criteria focus on the eligibility of both the businesses and the youth candidates to ensure they meet specific requirements.
- The business must be a small or medium-sized enterprise with 500 or fewer full-time equivalents.
- The business must be incorporated and for-profit.
- The business must be ready to enhance its innovation capacity and willing to partner with NRC IRAP.
- The youth candidate must be aged 15 to 30 years at the start of the internship.
- The youth candidate must be a post-secondary graduate.
- The youth candidate must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person granted refugee status in Canada.
- The youth candidate must be legally entitled to work according to relevant provincial legislation and regulations.
- The youth candidate must be a first-time participant in a Youth Employment and Skills Strategy work experience program targeted at post-secondary graduates.
- The internship must last a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 12 months with a minimum of 30 working hours per week.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Contact NRC IRAP
- Call NRC IRAP toll-free at 1-877-994-4727 to begin the application process.
- Engage in an initial discussion about your business objectives and readiness to grow through innovation.
- Step 2: Eligibility Assessment
- Discuss with NRC IRAP representatives to determine if your business meets the eligibility criteria.
- If deemed eligible, you will be referred to an industrial technology advisor (ITA).
- Step 3: Consultation with Industrial Technology Advisor (ITA)
- Meet with the ITA to discuss your business strategy, opportunities for growth, and potential project ideas.
- Assess how your development and growth strategies align with the Youth Employment Program.
- Step 4: Develop a Project Proposal
- Work collaboratively with your ITA to create a detailed project proposal.
- Outline project goals, methodologies, and expected outcomes.
- Prepare supporting documentation as required.
- Step 5: Find a Youth Candidate
- Utilize networks and resources to identify eligible youth candidates for your project.
- Step 6: Submit Application
- Submit the completed project proposal and required documents to NRC IRAP for review.
- Ensure all portions are completed and submitted by any designated deadlines.
- Step 7: Await Approval Response
- Expect to hear back within two weeks regarding the approval status of your project.
- Step 8: Post-Approval Requirements
- Once approved, prepare to submit monthly reimbursement claims to NRC IRAP.
- Maintain records and documentation for reporting purposes.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Additional noteworthy details for this grant program include:
- The NRC IRAP offers toll-free communication for inquiries at 1-877-994-4727.
- A respectful and harassment-free workplace commitment is emphasized by the NRC.
- Feedback from participants is encouraged to continually improve the service.
- Participants hire youth candidates for a defined period of 6 to 12 months, ensuring a substantial engagement in business activities.
- The business must be ready to engage with an Industrial Technology Advisor for detailed business evaluation and advisement.
- Final selection involves a project proposal collaboration with an ITA that reflects both business growth and youth engagement objectives.
- Successful projects receive notification within two weeks post-application, with expectations for regular monthly reimbursement claims.
- These programs are part of a larger government strategy to prepare young Canadians for the evolving job market.
grant_single_labels|contact
1-877-994-4727
Apply to this program
Unlock Innovation with NRC IRAP's Youth Employment Program
The Youth Employment Program by NRC IRAP offers financial assistance to Canadian businesses aiming to boost their innovation capacity by hiring young, talented professionals. By integrating fresh perspectives through young talent, companies can enhance their research, development, and market analysis capabilities.
In-depth Overview of the Youth Employment Program
The National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) administers the Youth Employment Program under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy by the federal government. This initiative is specifically tailored to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Canada in augmenting their workforce with skilled young professionals who bring in innovative ideas and energy necessary for modern business challenges.
Acting as a bridge between youths eager to apply their knowledge and companies ready to harness new ideas, the program provides an avenue for recent post-secondary graduates between the ages of 15 to 30 to embark on impactful internships. These internships last from six to twelve months, aligning with the demand for meaningful work experiences that also address gaps within technology and business sectors.
Participating businesses have the flexibility to engage young professionals in a variety of roles including technical projects, market analysis, and technology development. This mutually beneficial arrangement not only aids in the career formation of young Canadians but also provides businesses with fresh insights and new methodologies, driving operational improvements and fostering a culture of innovation.
The program is carefully structured to ensure that every participating company and candidate meets eligibility criteria. For businesses, this means being a for-profit, incorporated SME with fewer than 500 employees and a commitment to innovation. For youths, it requires possession of a post-secondary degree, legal entitlement to work in Canada, and participation in a Youth Employment and Skills Strategy work experience for the first time.
Importantly, the Youth Employment Program's cost-sharing model provides partial salary coverage for the youth hired, assisting firms to manage financial resources while investing in early-career professionals who are poised to make a difference. However, businesses are responsible for non-salary expenses such as benefits and overheads.
The program’s broader goal is not just about improving individual businesses but also strengthening the Canadian economic ecosystem by aligning young talent with innovation-driven companies. By encouraging fresh perspectives and skill enhancement among young workers, the program aims to support a sustainable future where growing enterprises can navigate dynamic market conditions successfully.
Ultimately, the Youth Employment Program serves as a catalyst for innovation, empowering young Canadians to contribute to business growth while preparing them to adeptly navigate the labor market. In doing so, it aligns youthful energy with strategic economic objectives, ensuring a symbiotic relationship between burgeoning talents and forward-thinking businesses.
