Career Focus Program

• Objectives
• Available Funding
• Program Delivery
• Administrative Guidelines

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is one of several federal departments participating in the Career Focus Program.

The program will help create some 80 agricultural internships for graduates across the country. Each internship may last up to 12 months. The minimum duration is four months, but internships must last long enough to provide meaningful experience to the employee.

Objectives

The program will help create some 80 agricultural internships for graduates across the country.

Available Funding

At AAFC, the Career Focus Program will contribute $864,000 annually to projects that employ recent graduates in agriculture, agri-food, agri-food science and veterinary medicine. Each approved project will be eligible to receive 50% of total eligible costs, up to a maximum of $20,000 in matching funds. Applications are processed through rounds and on a first come, first served basis pending availability of funds.

Program Delivery

The program is administered by the Renewal Division of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and its five regional offices. Organizations that want to sponsor an internship must submit project proposals to AAFC as per the deadlines, recruit graduates and share the cost of each project. Please note: the Career Focus Program is not a summer employment program.

Administrative Guidelines

For projects of less than eight months, AAFC will issue 100 per cent of approved funding at the end of the internship, upon receipt of the final reports, proof of salary payment to the employee, and Financial Claim form.

For projects of eight to 12 months AAFC will issue 50 per cent of approved funding after the first half of the internship, only upon receipt of the Financial Claim form and proof of salary payment to the employee. The payment of the last 50 per cent is made at the end of the internship, upon receipt of the final reports, the Financial Claim form and proof of salary payment to the employee.

Career Focus Program funds may only be allocated for salaries and employment benefits. The employer is responsible for paying the employee.