Work-integrated learning awards

Two students sitting on laptops

About the awards 

Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE) and the Centre for Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) are excited to offer awards for undergraduate and graduate students participating in unpaid work-integrated learning (WIL).  

Funding is available broadly for unpaid WIL and to specific programs through various funding sources. We’ve outlined the application and eligibility requirements for each available award.  

Spring 2024 awards

Award Funder Eligibility Value
WE Accelerate Award CEWIL iHub

Students must meet all the following criteria:

  • Canadian citizen, or permanent resident, or a person to whom refugee protection has been conferred un the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  • Are legally entitled to work in Canada
  • Completed the WE Accelerate program in spring 2024
 $1,775
WE Accelerate Award Enbridge

Students must meet all the following criteria:

  • Are a person who identifies as female
  • Enrolled in a STEM program
  • Completed the WE Accelerate program in spring 2024
 $1,000
Unpaid WIL Award CEWIL iHub

Students must meet all the following criteria:

  • Canadian citizen, or permanent resident, or a person to whom refugee protection has been conferred un the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  • Are legally entitled to work in Canada
  • Completed a minimum of 36 hours in a curricular form of unpaid WIL (i.e. course-based WIL, EDGE milestones, unpaid required practicums, unpaid required internships)

Amount based on the duration of WIL experience:

  • 36-99 hours - $500
  • 100-199 hours - $1,000
  • 200+ hours - $1,500

Selection process

All student applications meeting eligibility requirements will be considered, however, award availability is limited to available funding. If eligible applications exceed available funding, a randomized lottery selection will be used to select award winners.  

Additional requirements

Requirements beyond eligibility may include survey completion, event attendance or other requirements. Specifics will be included in the application form.

Additionally, all applications, other than WE Accelerate Awards, will require verification of hours and industry/community partner(s) by student attestation. Industry/Community partners will be prompted to complete a survey following the award disbursement and may be contacted for additional verification or information.  

How to apply

Apply for an unpaid work-integrated learning (WIL) award by Monday, September 2 at 11:59 p.m. (ET):

  1. Login to WaterlooWorks
  2. From your dashboard, select Submit a form from the navigation menu
  3. Complete the form
    1. Category: Awards and funding
    2. Sub-category: Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Awards Application (5045)
  4. After completing the form, your application will be reviewed by the Centre for Work-Integrated Learning. You will be notified within ten business days by email, following the closing of the applications, with the results of your application. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Centre for WIL.