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Venture for Canada — Internship Program
Canada
Interns for startups and SMEs
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMay 1, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateJune 15, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Venture for Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Access wage subsidies to hire interns from Canadian universities and colleges.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The Venture for Canada Internship Program offers wage subsidies to support the integration of student interns into small and medium-sized businesses across Canada. These subsidies alleviate payroll expenses, enabling businesses to focus on fostering innovative and entrepreneurial skill-building environments for interns.
- Up to $7,000 wage subsidy per student, per term, with a subsidy rate of 50-70% depending on the intern's background.
- Employers must pay interns at least $18.00 per hour.
- The subsidy is distributed in two installments: the first half within 45 days of the intern's start date, and the second half upon completion of the internship.
- Funding requirements include adherence to payment through payroll and maintaining a safe and supportive internship setting.
- Remote internships are eligible as long as there is adequate virtual supervision and coaching.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant offers funding opportunities to businesses interested in hosting interns, supporting entrepreneurship, and fostering skill development. Eligible activities focus on integrating interns while providing them with work-readiness training and support.
- Hiring and integrating interns into the company workflow.
- Providing a supportive work environment that promotes innovation or entrepreneurial skills.
- Offering part-time or full-time internships with flexible terms and remote working options.
- Participating in entrepreneurial and work-readiness training through VFC programs, ensuring interns contribute effectively to company projects.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 5,600
Hire a financial analysis intern to support our cooperative's budgeting and financial reporting
$ 7,000
Engage two marketing interns to enhance digital content and social media presence
$ 5,250
Hire an engineering intern to assist with renewable energy projects
$ 4,550
Employ an HR intern to help with recruitment and staff training programs
$ 7,000
Hire three IT interns to develop a new mobile application for our company
$ 7,000
Engage a graphic design intern to develop new branding materials
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the type and location of the business, as well as the nature of the internship provided.
- The company must be a small or medium-sized business, start-up, social enterprise, nonprofit, or charity.
- The business must be registered in one of the following Canadian provinces or territories: BC, AB, SK, MB, QC, NB, NS, PE, NL, YT, NT, or NU.
- The company must employ fewer than 500 people.
- The business must provide a safe and supportive internship that develops innovation or entrepreneurial skill-building opportunities.
- Employers based exclusively in Ontario are not eligible.
- Government departments, crown corporations, credit unions, and post-secondary institutions are not eligible to apply.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Small or medium-sized businesses, start-ups, social enterprises, non-profits, or charities registered in Canadian provinces or territories outside of Ontario, employing fewer than 500 people, and providing safe, supportive internships that develop innovation or entrepreneurial skills opportunities can apply for this grant.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant is not applicable to certain types of employers to ensure alignment with its objectives of supporting eligible sectors. Specific restrictions are designed to streamline support towards small and medium-sized businesses in Canada.
- Employers based exclusively in Ontario.
- Government departments and crown corporations.
- Credit unions.
- Post-secondary institutions (universities, colleges, and polytechnics).
- International students cannot participate as interns.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
There are eligible expenses for this grant. Employers can receive a 50-70% wage subsidy (up to $7,000) per student per term. The eligible expenses include:
- Hourly wages for interns
- Training costs for interns
- Virtual supervision and coaching for remote internships
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The Venture for Canada Internship Program is aimed at supporting businesses located in various provinces and territories across Canada. These eligible locations have been identified to facilitate regional innovation and entrepreneurship.
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan
- Manitoba
- Quebec
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Prince Edward Island
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Yukon
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Businesses and internships must meet the following criteria:
- Be a small or medium-sized business, start-up, social enterprise, nonprofit, or charity
- Registered in specific Canadian provinces or territories
- Employ fewer than 500 people
- Provide a safe and supportive internship that develops innovation or entrepreneurial skill-building opportunities
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to apply for this grant:
- Step 1: Check if You Qualify & Apply
- Complete the preliminary information form to verify eligibility for the program.
- Receive a link to the full application upon qualification.
- Step 2: Attend an Employer Onboarding Session
- Participate in a webinar where VFC will provide guidance and recommendations for the hiring process.
- Ensure attendance is mandatory to align expectations.
- Step 3: Multiple Ways to Find a Student
- Post job opportunities on the VFC Bulletin Board.
- Alternatively, recruit students through your personal networks, ensuring they meet program criteria.
- Step 4: Hire & Request Funding
- Submit a Hiring Request form upon finding a suitable student candidate.
- Await confirmation of funding eligibility, which will be provided within 15 business days.
- Step 5: Get Paid
- Receive the subsidy in two installments: the first within 45 days from the start and the second within 45 days upon completion.
- Step 6: Meanwhile, Interns get Training
- Ensure the interns receive continuous VFC training during their placement.
- Step 7: Hire Again
- If previously eligible, bypass initial steps for future hires, subject to conditions.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- VFC Interns come from a diverse range of over 108 universities and colleges across urban and rural centers in Canada.
- The program is designed to have minimal administrative burden on employers, using digital forms and fast approval processes.
- A preliminary internship subsidy of up to 50% is offered, with potential to increase to 70% when hiring from underrepresented groups.
- VFC provides ongoing entrepreneurial training to interns during their internship to enhance their work-readiness and capacity.
- The program requires that employers pay interns at least $18.00/hour through payroll, supporting both part-time and full-time roles.
- Remote internships are fully supported, provided there is virtual supervision.
- Interns can work with organizations in typical roles such as Sales, Marketing, and Development; employers are encouraged to consider other types of entrepreneurial roles as well.
- Hiring multiple interns is possible depending on the number of staff in the organization and their participation history in the program.
- Regular webinars and onboarding sessions are conducted to assist employers with best practices and recommendations for the hiring process.
- The internships and funding adhere to the timelines and dates specified for semester-based cohorts, like the Summer Cohort's specific application and hiring deadlines.