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 01, 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|projects
This grant is available to companies located in certain provinces and territories in Canada. The eligible geographical areas have been selected to support a broad range of entrepreneurial activities across different regions.
- British Columbia (BC)
- Alberta (AB)
- Saskatchewan (SK)
- Manitoba (MB)
- Quebec (QC)
- New Brunswick (NB)
- Nova Scotia (NS)
- Prince Edward Island (PE)
- Newfoundland and Labrador (NL)
- Yukon (YT)
- Northwest Territories (NT)
- Nunavut (NU)
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 grant provides wage subsidies for student interns to support small and medium-sized businesses in Canada.
- Wage subsidy covering 50-70% of student intern wages, up to a maximum of $7,000.
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.
Apply to this program
Unlock the Power of VFC's Internship Funding Program
The Venture for Canada's (VFC) Internship Program offers substantial support to Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing a wage subsidy of up to $7,000 for hiring eligible student interns. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering business growth and student development through pragmatic work experiences.
A Detailed Overview of VFC's Internship Funding Opportunity
The VFC Internship Program is an esteemed initiative supported by the Government of Canada's Student Work Placement Program. Designed to accommodate the vibrant entrepreneurial landscape of Canada, this program has been pivotal for numerous small businesses by offering financial relief and driving workforce development. It provides a seamless entry point for businesses to engage with aspiring professionals from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds.
Venture for Canada's approach is tailored to the real-world demands of startups and small enterprises, which often lack the resources to effectively manage internship programs. This program cuts through the red tape by streamlining the hiring process through digital platforms and support mechanisms. With a wage subsidy covering between 50-70% of intern wages, capped at $7,000, the financial burden on businesses is alleviated, allowing for more funds to be allocated to growth and innovation.
An advantageous aspect of the VFC program is its inclusivity. It pulls from a wide array of students across 108 universities and colleges in Canada, thereby ensuring a diverse pool of talent. The program specifically encourages diversity with enhanced subsidies for hiring students from underrepresented groups, such as women in STEM fields and Indigenous students. This focus not only aids businesses in meeting their CSR objectives but also fosters a diversified workplace environment.
The VFC program structure also acknowledges the dynamics and varying scales of Canadian business operations. Whether businesses opt for part-time or full-time roles, or remote-only positions, the program's flexibility ensures that internship opportunities are customized to fit specific company needs. This adaptability extends to the timing and structure of the internships themselves, allowing businesses to schedule internships around their operational demands.
For those companies participating in the program, the process begins with an easy qualification check and application submission. Once accepted, employers are guided through onboarding sessions that clarify the program specifics and expectations, paving the way for a successful placement. Employers benefit from a quick review process, ensuring that potential delays that might impact their business operations are minimized.
Venture for Canada's support does not stop at just the payment of subsidies. The program is devised to ensure continuous development for interns who undergo entrepreneurial training alongside their work. Such training encompasses areas like coachability, productivity, and resilience, which are critical to thriving in modern business environments. This dual focus on work-readiness training and business operational involvement significantly reduces the risks associated with hiring students who are new to the professional world.
The figures associated with the program attest to its success and acceptance within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. With over 1,677 interns supported in 2022 alone, and a 98% employer recommendation rate, VFC has demonstrated its value. Companies align with the program's mission by playing an integral role in shaping the future workforce while simultaneously gaining from the fresh perspectives and skills of interns.
Therefore, whether you're a budding business owner looking to integrate fresh talent or a well-established enterprise aiming to innovate and expand, VFC's Internship Program offers a path to both immediate and sustainable growth. This seamless blend of financial incentive, talent development, and business impact makes it an indispensable part of Canada's economic toolkit, driving forward a resilient and forward-thinking business ecosystem.
