Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) — Youth Employment Program (YEP)

• This program offers financial assistance to offset a portion of the youth candidate's salary costs for internships lasting 6 to 12 months.
• The company remains responsible for expenses beyond the subsidized salary portion, including benefits and overhead costs.
• Monthly reimbursement claims must be submitted to NRC IRAP for the eligible portion of salary costs.

• 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.

Who is eligible?

• Small or medium-sized businesses (500 or fewer full-time equivalents)
• Incorporated and for-profit companies
• Companies interested in innovation and willing to partner with NRC IRAP

Who is not eligible

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.

Eligible expenses

• Portion of the youth candidate's salary costs.

Eligible geographic areas

• Businesses located anywhere in Canada.

• 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.

• Applicants will receive a response within two weeks after submitting their project proposal regarding approval status.
• Monthly reimbursement claims must be submitted once the project is approved.
• The program only cost-shares a portion of youth salary expenses; employers are responsible for benefits and overhead costs.
• For feedback or improvements, applicants can follow the NRC IRAP feedback process.