
JEDI — Indigenous Internship Program
Last Update: July 22, 2025
Canada
Wage subsidy to hire Indigenous graduates
At a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $45,000
- Up to 100% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : May 11, 2021
Financing Type
Wage Subsidies And Interns
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Funds Providers
Unspecified
Program status
Open
Overview
Get up to $45,000 to cover 100% of the wages when you hire a recent Indigenous post-secondary graduate for a maximum of 2 years.
Activities funded
The Indigenous Internship Program (IIP) facilitates job placements for recent Indigenous post-secondary graduates to help them gain work experience and skills in their field of study. Businesses and organizations interested in hosting interns can apply to participate in this program.
- Submit a letter expressing interest in hosting an intern.
- Provide an orientation plan for the intern.
- Submit a work plan detailing anticipated knowledge and skill outcomes for the intern.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 45,000
Hire an Indigenous Marketing Intern to develop a digital strategy
$ 45,000
Provide an Indigenous post-secondary graduate a real estate internship
$ 45,000
Engage an Indigenous graduate for a community outreach role
$ 45,000
Offer a job placement for an Indigenous IT support specialist
$ 45,000
Recruit an Indigenous graduate as a graphic design intern
$ 45,000
Incorporate an Indigenous finance assistant into our team
Eligibility
Organizations eligible to host an intern for the Indigenous Internship Program must meet specific criteria.
- Provincial and Federal government departments and agencies.
- Crown Corporations.
- Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs).
- Not-for-profit organizations.
- Indigenous communities and organizations.
- JEDI's industry partners.
Who is eligible?
Provincial and Federal government departments and agenciesCrown CorporationsCommunity Business Development Corporations (CBDCs)Not-for-profit organizationsIndigenous communities and organizationsJEDI's industry partners
Eligible expenses
This grant supports organizations in providing valuable internship experiences for recent Indigenous post-secondary graduates. The eligible activities focus on planning, hosting, and managing interns to facilitate their transition into full-time employment.
- Development and submission of a letter expressing interest in hosting an intern.
- Creation of an orientation plan tailored for the intern's integration into the host organization.
- Formulation of a detailed work plan outlining the intended knowledge and skill outcomes for the intern.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant's geographical eligibility information is not explicitly detailed in the provided context. As such, the specific eligible regions for companies applying remain unspecified.
Selection criteria
Evaluation and selection criteria for the Indigenous Internship Program (IIP) include:
- Demonstrated interest in hosting an intern
- Clear orientation and work plan for the intern
- Potential knowledge and skill outcomes for the intern
- Relevance to the organization's objectives
- Preference for applicants with post-secondary degrees
- Graduation within the last 3 years
- Legally eligible to work in Canada
How to apply
1
Prepare Host Organization Documents
- Write a letter describing your organization’s interest in hosting an intern.
- Draft an orientation plan for the intern.
- Develop a work plan, detailing anticipated knowledge and skill outcomes for the intern.
2
Identify and Include Potential Intern
- If you've identified a potential Indigenous post-secondary graduate, include their name and resume in your application.
- Prospective interns should also prepare an up-to-date resume and a cover letter explaining their interest in the program.
- If no specific employer is involved, potential interns should list possible employers they are interested in working with.
3
Application Submission
Submit the application to JEDI’s Provincial Indigenous Employment Coordinator, Nisa Kennedy via email at: Nisa.Kennedy@jedinb.ca.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Funds for the program are limited, making timely application submission crucial as they are reviewed on a first come, first served basis.
- Not all employer applications will be approved, indicating a competitive selection process.
- JEDI oversees the IIP with input from the IIP Working Group, highlighting the collaborative nature of the program management.
- The IIP Working Group and JEDI meet at least twice annually to monitor the program and provide insights, showcasing ongoing oversight.
- Applicants should be proactive in identifying potential matches between graduates and host organizations to enhance their application.
Frequently Asked Questions about the JEDI — Indigenous Internship Program Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the JEDI — Indigenous Internship Program. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the JEDI — Indigenous Internship Program?
How much funding can be received?
What is the deadline to apply?
Is the JEDI — Indigenous Internship Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Who are the financial supporters of the JEDI — Indigenous Internship Program?
Who is eligible for the JEDI — Indigenous Internship Program program?
Who can I contact for more information about the JEDI — Indigenous Internship Program?
Where is the JEDI — Indigenous Internship Program available?
Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the JEDI — Indigenous Internship Program program?

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