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Canadian Government Funding: Top 5 Funding Programs for Hiring in 2013

• Small businesses in Canada have a wide variety of Canadian government grants for hiring new employees to increase and enhance their talent pool. We have chosen the top five readily accessible hiring grants for small business across all areas of focus, including; technical, engineering, marketing, and general programs.

  The Most Popular Small Business Grants for Hiring

  1. MITACS Enterprise: Up to $15,000 Wage Subsidy

  Candidate Focus: Science, Technical, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM)

  This program is slightly different from MITACS Accelerate post-secondary partnership program in so much as the MITACS Enterprise allows companies to hire post-secondary students or graduates that specialize in science, technical, engineering, or math for a 6-month internship. There are three levels of funding:

  • Bachelor Degree Graduate: $10,000 grant over 6 months
  • Graduate Student: $7,500 grant over 6 months
  • Graduate or Post-Doctorate Degree: $15,000 grant over 6 months

  Hiring companies can hire as many interns as they desire through MITACS Enterprise, with a maximum total grant amount of $30,000.  Companies that are interested in receiving MITACS Enterprise Funding can begin the application process by filling out the online MITACS Enterprise Company Initial Application.

  2. Graduate Enterprise Internship – iSTEM Program: Up to $15,000 Wage Subsidy

  Candidate Focus: Science, Technical, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM)

  The Graduate Enterprise Internship – iSTEM Program is available only to companies in Ontario.  The fund allows companies to hire STEM undergraduate students as well as graduates for a 6 month internship.   There are two different tiers of funding available through this program:

  • Graduate with bachelor’s degree: $10,000
  • Graduate with Master’s or PhD: $15,000

  Companies can begin the application process for this Ontario small business grant by visiting the FedDev Ontario’s Graduate Enterprise Internship Webpage and filling out the application form and supplementary documents.

  3. ICTC Career Focus: Up to $12,750 Wage Subsidy

  Candidate Focus: Information & Communication Technology

  Although the 2013 ICTC Career Focus funding round has yet to be released, this wage subsidy is a great option for companies looking to overhaul their online presence through a new website, search engine optimization (SEO), social media, as well as any software development or IT-related projects. Career Focus covers 50% of the successful candidate’s wage, up to $12,750 for a 4-8 month internship. To learn more, please contact Mentor Works or ICTC for more information.

  4. Ontario Exporter’s Fund: Up to $80,000 Wage Subsidy

  Candidate Focus: An experienced export manager

  The Ontario Exporter’s Fund (OEF) government funding for business provided through the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has been established to help small and medium-sized enterprises to gain access to international markets.    Funding will cover 50% of eligible costs associated with hiring an experienced Export Manager, up to $40,000 per year for 2 years, totalling a maximum of $80,000 in grant funding for hiring.  Contact a Canadian government Funding Expert for more information.

  5. IRAP Youth Employment Program (YEP): Up to $15,000 Wage Subsidy

  Candidate Focus: Any new, unique role within your organization

  One of the best Canadian business grants for hiring is the IRAP Youth Employment Program (YEP). This 12-month internship program covers 50% of their hourly wage, up to $15,000 for 1-2 interns’ salaries. The intern must have a post-secondary degree or diploma and be younger than 31 years old. The program is open to candidates of all study disciplines.  Keep an eye on the IRAP Youth Employment Program Website for more updates on the application process.

  Stay Connected with Mentor Works Canadian Government Funding Experts

  Mentor Works Ltd. provides Canadian SMEs with Canadian Government funding advice and application support for Ontario business grants  and small business loans Ontario. Please contact a Mentor Works Canadian Government Funding Expert.  Additionally, subscribe to our Small Business Grants Weekly E-Newsletter or follow us on Twitter for news and updates on a daily basis.

  
  
  February 27th, 2013 | Ryan Weaver | 2 Comments | Tags: FedDev Ontario, Federal Funding, Government Grants, Grants for Hiring Recent Grads, ICTC - Career Focus, IRAP, iSTEM, MITACS Enterprise, Ontario Exporters Fund (OEF), Provincial Funding, Wage Subsidies, Youth Employment Program (YEP)