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Funding Available for Employers

Several programs are available to support the costs of work placements. Full details can be found on the specific agency websites.

Innovation Canada Concierge Service: Find resources around funding subsidies that fit to your needs by entering your company’s details.

  • Co-Operative Education Tax Credit: 25% to 30% tax credit, up to $3,000 per 12 to 16 week work term. Available for Ontario-based co-op employers only.
  • Government of Canada Student Work-Integrated Learning Program (SWILP): The Canadian Government has recently invested $73 million to create 10,000 paid student work placements between 2017 to 2021 in the STEM and business fields. Funding is administered through organizations such as BioTalent Canada and EcoCanada.
  • NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) : $4,500 towards the cost of hiring an undergraduate student in a university research setting in the natural sciences and engineering.
  • NSERC Experience Awards: A cost-sharing program providing $4,500 towards a 12 to 16 week work term for natural sciences and engineering undergraduate students working in a research capacity in industry.
  • OCE Smart Seed Fund: Young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 29 years from across the province of Ontario with technology or innovation based start-ups can earn up to $35,000 in funding.
  • Ontario Innovation Tax Credit: 10% refundable tax credit, up to $300,000 per year. For Ontario corporations that hire students for scientific research and experimental development.
  • Scientific and Experimental Development Program: 20% to 35% investment tax credits. For Canadian corporations that conduct scientific research and experimental development.
  • Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation: List of programs which provide funding for existing and growing sectors in Northern Ontario.
  • Export Market Access: A Global Expansion Program: Grant coverage up to 50% of eligible costs. For operations at least 2 years old, with 5-500 employees and minimum annual sales totaling $500,000.
  • Mitacs: Globalink Partnership Award: A $15,000 research grant in the Canadian professor’s name to support student travel and accommodation expenses, research-related expenses, and student stipend.
  • College and Institutes Canada Clean Tech Internship: If your business is in the science, technology, engineering or mathematics fields, you may be eligible to hire an intern for a new environmental or clean tech position or project. Awards a wage subsidy of up to $15,000.
  • Science Horizons – Youth Internship Program: The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program is a wage subsidy initiative to help recent graduates in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) acquire work experience in STEM positions with an environmental focus. The program provides up to a maximum of $15,000 in wage subsidies to help employers hire the talent they need and help recent STEM graduates gain skills to secure full-time employment in environmental STEM fields.
  • Talent Edge Internship Program: OCE provides a $10,000 contribution for a project-based internship with a clearly defined R&D component.