Ctnext Technology Talent Bridge Internship Application Guidelines

CTNext Technology Talent Bridge Internship Application Guidelines

1. General Information

Background

Connecticut’s Technology Talent Bridge Internship Program (TTB)is a grant opportunity for Connecticut small businesses to provide funding for the hire of student interns.The program’s primary objective is to develop a talent “bridge” between the small business and the student, with the downstream objective of creating jobs. The program enhances industry anduniversity collaboration and helps strengthen our workforce and retain talent in our state.

The program is designed to:

• stimulate job creation through innovation;
• provide stronger links between Connecticut companies and university students, reducing the likelihood that graduates will leave Connecticut, and
• facilitate post-graduation hiring of students by Connecticut companies.

2. Process

Applications

Interested companies that already have a hire selected, should submit an Application and Budget Form with the intern(s) identified. Companies will be notified by email regarding the decision to fund/not fund the project. Contracts are subject to available funds. The project will not be funded until an appropriate agreement between CTNext and the proposing company is in place.

Companies are encouraged to have a hire selected prior to applying for a TTB grant. If the company has not yet identified an intern, they will need to complete the Internship Job Description. These job descriptions will be posted at local colleges and universities and on the Connecticut Innovations website on behalf of the business. Matches through this process are not guaranteed.

Any materials submitted in response to this solicitation will be considered non-proprietary, unless otherwise specified and mutually agreed.

Eligibility

Participating businesses must be at least one year old, registered in Connecticut, and have fewer than 500 employees.Companies that receive the grant must be based in Connecticut and willing to maintain residence for the duration of the project contract.

Companies are required to be in compliance with all applicable employment and other laws and regulations. Prior to the execution of a standard agreement, the company will be required to provide letters of good standing from the Connecticut Department of Labor, Department of Revenue Services, and Secretary of State.

Returning applicants must meet current eligibility and will be awarded no sooner than 12 months from the date of original contract.

For the purposes of this program, intern is defined as a student working for the company with the objective of learning the trade and gaining work experience. Interns should be actively enrolled students at a higher education institution, and eligible for full-time hire within two years of the conclusion of the internship. The company is responsible for ensuring this student iscurrently enrolled in the higher education institution and eligible to work in the state of Connecticut.

Evaluation and Selection

Proposals will be evaluated using the program objectives and guidelines. There is no commitment by CTNext to make any awards, to make a specific number of awards, or to be responsible for any monies expended by the company before the award.

Project Period

Project duration must be a minimum of 320 hours (equivalent of 8 weeks Full Time or 22 weeks Part Time).

3. Funding

Technology Talent Bridge funds of up to $25,000 are available to cover the hourly costs of student interns at the rate of $15/hour for undergraduates and $25/hour for graduate students.A 50% company match (up to $12,500) is required.

Transmittal of Funds

Grant funds will be provided only after the date of execution of a standard agreement between the company and CTNext, and will cover agreed-upon project costs. The specific payment schedule (including payment amounts) for each grant will be incorporated into the funding agreement between CTNext and the company.

Disbursements will occur in accordance with the agreed-upon payment schedule;half of grant funds advanced upon grant execution, half or balance of grant funds paid at conclusion of project after receipt and acceptance of the final progress and financial reports and surveys.

Project Reporting

For internships lasting longer than 8 weeks, the company is required to fill out mid-contract status report.

All companies are required to complete a final report for each project 20 days after the project completion date. CTNext will provide a template to capture project objectives, work performed, results, and estimates of technical feasibility. A budget versus actual dollars spent with receipts must accompany the final report.Surveys from both the company and the intern(s) must be completed within 20 days after the project concludes.

Proprietary Rights and Information

Should any intellectual property be developed with funding from this program, it will remain the sole and exclusive property of the proposing company unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the participating organizations (university and company(s)). Parties are encouraged to negotiate any variances from this standard arrangement directly, as appropriate.

This solicitation is intended for informational purposes and reflects current planning. If there is any inconsistency between the information contained herein and the terms of any resulting funding agreement, the terms of the agreement are controlling.

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