Grant
Provincial
Active
OCI Critical Industrial Technologies — Talent Development Internships — Ontario Centre of Innovation
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)
Maximum Funding
Up to $10,000
Open for applications on a rolling basis
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Advance Payment
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
50%
OCI Critical Industrial Technologies — Talent Development Internships — Ontario Centre of Innovation provides Up to $10,000 of matched OCI funding per 4-month internship unit; 2 units maximum per company; total OCI contribution ceiling of $20,000 per company; 1:1 match by SME. Covers up to $10,000 per four-month internship unit for Ontario-based for-profit SMEs hiring recent graduates for critical-technology projects. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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Program Description
Covers up to $10,000 per four-month internship unit for Ontario-based for-profit SMEs hiring recent graduates for critical-technology projects. Requires a 1:1 SME cash match and caps support at two units ($20,000) per company.
Eligibility Requirements
- Ontario-based for-profit small or medium enterprise
- Fewer than 500 staff
- Hiring a recent graduate from an undergraduate or master's program within three years of graduation
- Internship project must involve at least one named critical technology in a key sector
- Must provide 1:1 matching funds for the internship
- Maximum of two four-month internship units per company
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $10,000 of matched OCI funding per 4-month internship unit; 2 units maximum per company; total OCI contribution ceiling of $20,000 per company; 1:1 match by SME
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Open for applications on a rolling basis
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipLine up the intern before you apply, and make sure they are genuinely new to you.
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Rejection Pitfalls 8
- The intern worked for the company in the past six months, in any capacity
+7 more pitfalls
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Success Profile
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Evaluation Criteria
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All 8 pitfalls, the checklist and the reviewer notes are in the Playbook below. See what it includes ↓
What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to win OCI Critical Industrial Technologies — Tal...
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 8 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 7-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 2-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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6 steps
7 docs
Application Steps
1
Submit the client intake form Applications must be initiated in AccessOCI by an OCI Business Development Manager or CIT Sector Manager, so the intake form is the way in. It does not constitute an application for funding.
Required Documents 7
✓ Client intake form
✓ Company profile with a valid nine digit CRA business number, incorporation date and employee counts globally and in Ontario
Eligible Expenses 2
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
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2 partners
Compatible Programs
Industry partners
Other OCI administered programs
Combined Funding Potential
See your total funding potential
Clawback Risk
Low Risk
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How OCI Critical Industrial Technologies — Tal... Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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| OCI Critical Industrial Technologies ... | Up to $10,000 | Moderate | Advance Payment | Open for applications on... |
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| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Between intakes — the... |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about OCI Critical Industrial Technologies — Tal...
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How much does the program pay, and what do I have to put in?
OCI contributes $10,000 per unit, a fixed four month period, up to a maximum of $20,000 for two units. Your match is $10,000 per unit, made up of $5,000 cash and $5,000 in kind.
How much does the intern have to be paid?
Of the total $20,000 unit budget, the intern must receive a minimum cash compensation of $15,000. The remainder may be used for direct project costs.
Who can be the intern?
A recent graduate of an accredited college or university undergraduate or Master's program, within three years of graduation, who is eligible to work in Ontario and has employee status at the company for the internship.
Can I use this for someone who already works for me?
No. The intern may not apply if, at the time of application submission, they are a current or past employee of the company within the last six months, including consultants, contract and part time positions. Students currently in a co-op or equivalent placement program are also excluded.
When does the money arrive?
OCI releases 75 per cent of the award on project activation, and holds back the remaining 25 per cent until the project is complete and the final reports, including proof of payment for the intern, are approved.
Can a company headquartered outside Ontario apply?
A subsidiary can. Company subsidiaries with headquarters outside Ontario are eligible provided the Ontario operations meet all of the eligibility criteria.
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Full Playbook: OCI Critical Industrial Technologies — Tal...
6 steps · 7 docs · reviewer insights