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Source verified September 21, 2026
Venture for Canada — Internship Program
Wage support for student internships
Latest source updateLast Update: September 19, 2026Latest change: Venture for Canada updated the internship program to a 2026/2027 intake with rolling hiring requests through February 28, 2027 and revised employer application guidance.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 19, 2026
Latest change: Venture for Canada updated the internship program to a 2026/2027 intake with rolling hiring requests through February 28, 2027 and revised employer application guidance.
VFC Internship Program timeline and application flow updated
Venture for Canada changed the internship program from a Fall 2026 intake to a 2026/2027 intake, and hiring requests are now accepted on a rolling basis until February 28, 2027. The new guidance also says the window may close earlier if funding is fully allocated. The employer application pages were rewritten to say new employer applications are open and the hiring-request form now adds a job bulletin board submission step, plus revised instructions, required prerequisites, and updated contact/link destinations. The Eligible Employer Guide also now includes two application-process guides and a recurring webinar listing.
Funding available
$ 7,000
Deadline
February 28, 2027
Location
Canada
Who can apply
Small or medium-sized businesses, start-ups, social enterprises, nonprofits, charities, and band councils can apply as employers.
See full eligibility
Overview
Venture for Canada Internship Program offers eligible Canadian employers a 50% to 70% wage subsidy, capped at $7,000, to hire student interns in Canada. It supports small and medium-sized businesses, start-ups, social enterprises, nonprofits, charities, and band councils for safe internships focused on innovation or entrepreneurial skill-building, including hourly wages and contributions.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop workforce skills
- Strengthen organizational capacity
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 7,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Safe and supportive internships that develop innovation or entrepreneurial skill-building opportunities.
- Full-time or part-time internships, including remote or work-from-home placements.
Documents Needed
- Proof of enrolment.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small or medium-sized businesses, start-ups, social enterprises, nonprofits, charities, and band councils can apply as employers.
- Full-time or part-time post-secondary students enrolled in an accredited Canadian college or university can apply as interns.
- Student applicants must hold Canadian citizenship, Permanent Residency, or refugee status and remain enrolled for at least the first 30 days of the internship.
Who is not eligible
- International students.
- Recent graduates.
- Employers based exclusively in Ontario.
- Government departments and crown corporations.
- Credit unions and post-secondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and polytechnics.
Eligible expenses
- Hourly wages and contributions for eligible internships.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Applications are evaluated on a first-come-first-serve basis.
How to apply
- Complete the interest form to make sure the program is a good fit.
- Receive the link to the full application and submit it.
- New employers must watch the pre-recorded Onboarding Webinar and complete a Knowledge Assessment.
- Once you have a fit, submit the Hiring Request form.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed within 5 business days.
- Funding can only be allocated to employers who are fully eligible and have completed the application, the onboarding webinar, and third-party business verification.
- To submit a Hiring Request and secure a place in the funding queue, the student must have already verbally accepted the job offer.
- Once the Hiring Request is submitted, the program provides the next steps within 15 business days.
Additional information
- Students who self-identify in underrepresented categories may qualify for a 70% subsidy, subject to availability.
- The 70% subsidy level cannot be disclosed to the employer until the student has been hired.
- The same student-employer match can be funded for a maximum of two consecutive terms, up to a total of 8 months.
- The same student can be hired by the same employer for a maximum of four cohorts in total, whether consecutive or not.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Venture for Canada — Internship Program Program
What is the Venture for Canada — Internship Program?
Venture for Canada Internship Program offers eligible Canadian employers a 50% to 70% wage subsidy, capped at $7,000, to hire student interns in Canada. It supports small and medium-sized businesses, start-ups, social enterprises, nonprofits, charities, and band councils for safe internships focused on innovation or entrepreneurial skill-building, including hourly wages and contributions.
How much funding can be received?
Venture for Canada — Internship Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $7,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the Venture for Canada — Internship Program program?
To be eligible for the Venture for Canada — Internship Program program, you must:
The employer must be a small or medium-sized business, start-up, social enterprise, nonprofit, charity, or band council.
The employer must have fewer than 500 employees.
The internship must be safe and supportive and build innovation or entrepreneurial skills.
What expenses are eligible under Venture for Canada — Internship Program?
Safe and supportive internships that develop innovation or entrepreneurial skill-building opportunities.
Full-time or part-time internships, including remote or work-from-home placements.
Who can I contact for more information about the Venture for Canada — Internship Program?
You can contact Venture for Canada (VFC) by email at internemployers@ventureforcanada.ca.
Where is the Venture for Canada — Internship Program available?
The Venture for Canada — Internship Program program is available across Canada.