Co-op Funding Information

As a University of Victoria co-op student, there are government wage subsidy programs that may offset some costs of bringing me on. Below is an overview of the two engagement options available, and the funding programs that may apply to each option.

Full-Time Placement

A full-time co-op work term requires a minimum of 420 hours over 12 weeks. This structure makes your organization eligible to apply for the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), a federal wage subsidy that can cover up to 50% of wages to a maximum of $5,000.

Funding through SWPP is not guaranteed and is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. It is intended as a top-up to my salary, not a replacement for it. Eligible organizations include any registered Canadian business, start-up, social enterprise, charity, or non-profit with 1-500 employees offering work-integrated learning roles.

To register a full-time work term, UVic's co-op office will require an official job description and letter of offer containing start and end dates, hours, salary, work location, and supervisor contact details.

For more information on SWPP: swpprogram.ca

Important: SWPP funds must be applied for during the same work term in which I am enrolled.

SF-ELF (UVic-funded) — For nonprofits and charities, UVic's SF-ELF wage subsidy must be applied for before the work term begins. Additionally, students may apply for travel awards for co-ops located outside of Victoria during the same work term they are enrolled in. More information: Co-op Funding Opportunities — UVic

Mitacs Accelerate — Mitacs provides funding to organizations willing to support a research-oriented internship. The standard model requires a partner contribution minimum of $7,500 CAD per internship, resulting in a top-up of $15,000 CAD total, with the intern receiving a minimum $10,000 CAD stipend. Internships start at four or six months and can scale longer. Eligible organizations include for-profit corporations, nonprofits, hospitals, municipalities, and Indigenous governments in Canada. More information: Mitacs Accelerate — mitacs.ca

Shorter-Term or Contract Work

If a shorter engagement or project-based arrangement works better for your organization, I am open to discussing contract terms of any length and scope. Under an entrepreneurial co-op structure, I can work on projects of varying duration while still fulfilling my co-op requirements.

This option offers more flexibility in scope and timeline, and is well-suited to organizations that have a specific project or problem in mind rather than a full-time placement. Additional funding opportunities may be available depending on the term and structure — including options for fall work terms.

Please reach out directly to discuss what arrangement works best for your organization.

Further Resources & Next Steps

UVic's co-op office can help determine the structure that best fits your organization's needs and assist with grant applications. The following pages are a good starting point:

If you have questions or would like to discuss next steps, please get in touch via the contact information in the footer below.