Hiring a recent graduate can help your business move faster on innovation. But salaries add up, especially for small and mid-sized companies. The NRC IRAP youth hiring programs help by reimbursing a portion of the wages you pay to eligible young graduates working on innovation-focused projects.
The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) delivers this federal funding. It offsets salary costs. This support lets you add new talent to your team with less financial risk.
NRC IRAP’s youth hiring support is part of the federal Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. It is designed for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working on technology and innovation activities.
Here is how the reimbursement model works in practice.
To qualify for reimbursement, the person you hire must meet NRC IRAP’s youth criteria:
NRC IRAP does not reimburse salaries for general admin roles. The graduate must work on activities tied to innovation, such as:
NRC IRAP youth hiring programs use a cost-sharing model:
This funding is non-repayable. You do not pay it back as long as you meet the program terms and reporting requirements.
GrantHub provides tools to identify eligible programs by province and industry, including NRC IRAP.
Reimbursements are typically calculated using:
You may need to submit payroll records or progress updates to receive reimbursement, depending on your agreement with NRC IRAP.
Understanding eligible costs upfront helps avoid surprises later.
Typically covered:
Typically not covered:
NRC IRAP will confirm which costs are eligible when your project is approved.
Assuming NRC IRAP pays 100% of wages
NRC IRAP shares costs. Your business must still cover the remaining salary portion.
Hiring before approval
Salary reimbursement usually applies only to costs incurred after NRC IRAP approves the project.
Using the graduate for non-eligible work
If the role drifts into general admin or sales, those hours may not be reimbursed.
Double-dipping on the same wages
You cannot claim the same salary costs under multiple programs unless stacking is explicitly allowed.
For a broader look at employer errors, see Common Mistakes Employers Make When Applying for Wage Subsidy Grants.
Q: How much of a salary does NRC IRAP reimburse?
NRC IRAP reimburses a portion of eligible salary costs through cost-sharing. The exact amount depends on your project scope and is approved in advance.
Q: Is NRC IRAP youth hiring funding repayable?
No. The funding is non-repayable as long as your business meets all program terms and reporting requirements.
Q: How long can a youth placement last?
Placements must be between 6 and 12 months, with at least 30 hours of work per week.
Q: Can I combine NRC IRAP youth hiring with other wage subsidies?
Sometimes, but you cannot claim the same salary expenses twice. Stacking rules depend on the other program and must be approved.
Q: What type of businesses qualify for NRC IRAP youth hiring programs?
Canadian SMEs working on innovation, technology, or R&D-related activities are the primary target group.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada—see which ones match your business profile.
If you are planning to hire a young graduate, understanding how NRC IRAP youth hiring programs reimburse salaries can shape your staffing budget early. The next step is identifying whether your project and role fit NRC IRAP’s criteria and what other youth hiring grants may stack alongside it. GrantHub lets you compare active programs and focus on the ones that align with your business goals.
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