Small Business Internship Program (SBIP)
What is it?
Industry Canada's Small Business Internship Program provides small
and medium-sized businesses with up to $10,000 to hire a post-secondary
student to implement e-business (internet-based) strategies for
greater productivity and competitiveness.
The Small Business Internship Program is available annually until
March 31, 2014.
What is the benefit to your company?
This funding will defray the cost of adopting e-business practices
and technologies that allow your firm to actively market its products
online, reaching new customers in new markets. It could help you
move from a passive internet presence to one that reaches out to
engage customers and increase sales.
The Government of Canada will reimburse you for up to 75 per cent
of the eligible wages and related expenses to hire a post-secondary
student for a total of 12 weeks to carry out your project. Financial
support of up to $10,000 is available .
In addition to growing your business, you will help a student gain
valuable on-the-job experience.
Provincial contributions for this initiative
are subject to availability of funds in each province and territory.
Who Qualifies?
To be eligible for this program, your firm must:
- be a Canadian small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) with less
than 500 employees;
- be incorporated or a sole proprietorship and for-profit;
- have been in continuous operation for a minimum of one year;
- have an existing web site and wish to enhance your e-business
capability; and
- contribute 25 per cent of the student wages and related expenses.
What Qualifies?
Projects must take place between April 1 and March 31st. Many projects
that enhance your e-business capabilities would qualify.
For Example . . .
- Your company wants to develop an on-line order system to market
products regionally and keep inventory stocking cycles up to date.
The SBIP funding allows you to hire a post-secondary student to
build your company's e-business capacity.
- Your company wants to uses your small, but growing, online customer
base as a test market for new products. To do so, you use funding
from the program to hire a post secondary student.
More examples are available on the Small Business Internship Program
website.
How does it work?
Once your project is approved, you can proceed in advertising your
student intern position at universities and colleges or other job
advertisements as appropriate. You negotiate the salary with the
chosen intern, and the benefits they may receive. When the 12-week
internship is over, the Government of Canada will reimburse up to
75 percent of the eligible costs, up to a total of $10,000. The
internship must start on April 1 or later and be completed by March
31.
How do I apply?
Check the website
in March 2012 and click on Application Forms and Guides. You must
submit your application to one of the organizations responsible
for the program under "Where
to Apply".
Where can I find more information?
The
Small Business Internship Program.
