How much funding can be received?

Your business or non-profit organization can get free help from top post-secondary students to work on projects over the course of an academic semester. Projects are fully-subsidized, 80-hour internships that can be completed online or hybrid.

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This program is available to businesses and non-profits operating within Canada, as it is part of a Canadian government initiative. Eligible entities must be registered in Canada to participate.

Businesses operating anywhere in Canada.
Non-profit organizations registered in Canada.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$9,000

Calgary

Designing a virtual reality training program for healthcare professionals

$6,000

Montreal

Implementing a digital marketing strategy for a local artisanal bakery to increase online sales

$7,000

Toronto

Creating an online platform to connect volunteers with non-profit organizations in need

$6,500

Edmonton

Launching an educational podcast series for financial literacy in young adults

$8,000

Vancouver

Developing a mobile app for local farmers to track crop yields and weather patterns

$7,500

Ottawa

Creating an eco-friendly product line for a local clothing store

grant_single_labels|admissibility

To participate in the Level UP program, companies must meet specific eligibility criteria.

The company must be a registered Canadian business or non-profit organization.
The company must not be a member of the House of Commons or Senate of Canada.
The organization must not engage in partisan political activities.
The organization must not be a federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal government entity.
The organization must not be a publicly funded post-secondary institution.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

To qualify for the Level UP program, applicants must be registered Canadian businesses or non-profit organizations. However, members of the House of Commons or Senate of Canada, political parties, government entities, and publicly funded post-secondary institutions are not eligible. This initiative aims to support qualified employers in benefiting from the skills and ideas of Canada's top students through fully-subsidized internships.

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This grant excludes certain companies and organizations based on their political activity and government affiliation. The restrictions ensure that funds are allocated to eligible Canadian businesses and non-profits.

Members of the House of Commons or Senate of Canada.
Organizations that engage in partisan political activities.
Federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal government entities.
Publicly funded post-secondary institutions.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

This grant funds 60-hour internships for Canadian businesses and non-profits to work collaboratively with top-tier student talent. Eligible projects are designed to address specific business challenges, providing real work experience for students and fresh perspectives for employers.

Design and management of digital marketing campaigns.
Development of market research and analysis reports.
Assistance in software development projects or IT systems upgrading.
Implementation of business process improvements.
Creation of financial planning and analysis models.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The program provides a stipend for students completing internship projects as part of the eligible expenses.

$1,400 stipend per completed project for participating students, paid directly by Riipen.

grant_single_labels|criteria

- Registered Canadian business or non-profit organization - Not a member of the House of Commons or Senate of Canada - Not part of an organization engaging in partisan political activities or a government entity - Not part of a publicly funded post-secondary institution

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for Level UP:

Step 1: Registration
- Visit the Riipen website and create an employer account if you don't already have one.
- Complete the required fields to set up your account, including organization details and contact information.
Step 2: Define Your Project
- Use the template library to convert your business challenges into a 60-hour project.
- Clearly define project objectives, tasks, and deliverables.
- Ensure the project can be completed remotely or in a hybrid format.
Step 3: Posting the Project
- Log in to your Riipen account and navigate to the Level UP portal.
- Create a new project posting with the defined details.
- Submit the project to be listed for student applications.
Step 4: Review Applications
- Receive applications from interested students via the Riipen portal.
- Review student profiles and select those who best meet your project's needs.
- Communicate with selected students to finalize arrangements.
Step 5: Project Execution and Completion
- Track the project's progress through the Level UP portal, using integrations like Google Meet or Zoom as needed.
- Manage documents and communications during the project.
- Mark the project as complete once all deliverables are met.
- Ensure students receive their stipend upon project completion.

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Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Employers can match up to two projects, each involving up to five students.
Students apply directly to projects and employers have the discretion to accept applications.
Projects are fully integrated with Riipen's platform, providing digital tools for tracking progress and communication.
Riipen supports integration with Google Meet and Zoom for remote collaboration.
The employer is responsible for marking the project complete to initiate the student's stipend payment.
There is ongoing support from the Level UP learner community and support team for employers.
Dedicated digital tools are available for managing skills and experience gained through the platform.

grant_single_labels|documents

Riipen — Level UP

grant_single_labels|contact

help@riipen.com

1-833-374-4736

Apply to this program

Level UP: Empowering Canadian Employers with Student Talent

The Level UP program offers Canadian employers an innovative solution to tackle business challenges by providing fully subsidized, 60-hour internships with talented students from top universities. This initiative enables organizations to access fresh perspectives and cutting-edge skills while supporting the next generation of the workforce.

Unlocking Opportunities Through Level UP Internships

The Level UP program is a novel initiative that enables Canadian businesses and non-profits to leverage student talent through fully subsidized internships. With the backing of the Government of Canada’s Innovative Work-Integrated Learning (I-WIL) Initiatives program, Level UP breaks the traditional internship mold by offering a flexible, fully remote or hybrid experience. This setup means that distance and location are no longer barriers for employers seeking to innovate and grow with the help of Canada’s brightest young minds.

Participating businesses must be registered Canadian entities, excluding political parties and government bodies, which opens the door to most private sector companies and non-profits. This grants organizations access to a diverse talent pool, enabling them to tackle a range of projects that align with their business goals. Each Level UP project involves a 60-hour commitment, which can be fulfilled either individually by students or collaboratively with employer approval, providing flexibility based on the needs and scale of the task at hand.

The process of engaging with the Level UP program is straightforward and designed to maximize efficiency and impact. Employers receive access to a comprehensive project library, complete with templates and examples that serve as inspiration for custom project design. This feature streamlines the setup process and helps align employer challenges with potential internship projects, ensuring that businesses can derive maximum value from student contributions.

Upon the successful completion of a project, students receive a stipend of $1,400, directly facilitating financial compensation without administrative burden on part of the employer. This innovative payment process is managed by Riipen, the world's largest experiential learning marketplace, which administers the program. Riipen not only handles remuneration but also provides a digital platform that supports seamless interaction, project progress tracking, and real-time communication between students and employers.

The benefits of participating in the Level UP program extend beyond financial considerations. Businesses gain the opportunity to "test drive" potential future employees, evaluate their skills in real-world scenarios, and potentially onboard the most promising individuals into their teams. This approach mitigates the risks associated with traditional hiring processes and offers a firsthand look at a candidate’s capabilities and adaptability.

Moreover, the Level UP initiative fosters a culture of continuous learning and adaptation within organizations. Engaging with students who bring the latest academic insights and a fresh perspective can invigorate company culture, spark innovation, and accelerate growth. This synergy between experienced professionals and emerging talents champions the transfer of knowledge and skills, bolstering both individual and organizational development.

The program also addresses current challenges in the Canadian labor market, such as regional skill shortages and the pressing need for digital transformation across industries. By facilitating remote and hybrid internships, Level UP bridges the geographical gaps, allows businesses to harness the full spectrum of talent available across the country, and helps build a more agile and future-ready workforce.

In conclusion, Level UP is not just an internship program; it’s a strategic investment in the future of Canadian industries, students, and the broader economy. By joining Level UP, businesses and non-profits position themselves at the forefront of an innovative approach to workforce development while actively contributing to the educational and professional growth of Canada’s next generation of leaders.