LAB Career Spark is a subsidy meant to ease our students' employment and to support their integration into working life outside their home country.

You can apply for the subsidy for an internship or other work period that is aligned with your studies and supports your professional development, or for completing your thesis. 

The work period must be paid and the minimum wage paid to the student must be no less than 1430 €/month for full time working hours (work requirement minimum wage in 2025). If the contract is part-time, your pay must match the portion of 1,430 € that corresponds to your working hours.

The subsidy is granted when both the student and the employer meet the required terms. The student applies for the subsidy, and the payment is made directly to the employer after the work period is done. In practice, the university covers part of the employer’s wage costs.

Subsidy Amount:

The subsidy is a fixed amount and does not depend on your salary:

💶 1-month working period: 600 €
💶 2-month working period: 1200 €
💶 3-month or longer working period: 1800 €

How to apply for the subsidy?

1. Before Applying

• Find a suitable position.
  When contacting employers, mention that you can apply for the LAB Career Spark subsidy.

• Make sure your work period meets the LAB Career Spark subsidy criteria.

• If you are applying for the subsidy for your thesis, please contact your thesis supervisor to confirm that the position is suitable for your thesis project.

2. Before Starting 

• Sign a written employment contract with your employer before you begin.

• Apply for the subsidy at least TWO (2) weeks before the employment starts.
  Fill out the application form here. You will receive a decision within five working days. The contract for the subsidy needs to be signed before the working period starts.

3. During and After 

• Enjoy your work experience and learn about a new working culture!

• If you want to include the work period in your degree, remember to apply for approval.

Eligibility Criteria for Students

You can apply for the LAB Career Spark subsidy if:

• You are studying for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at LAB University of Applied Sciences and you are present for the entire working period.
  Exchange students are not eligible.

• The work period takes place in a country where you are NOT a citizen.

• The work period clearly supports your professional development.

• You have not previously received LAB Career Spark support during the same degree, and you will not receive other mobility support granted by LAB for the same working period. Please note that Erasmus+ mobility grant is the primary option for internships taking place outside of Finland. 

Terms for the Employer

The employer must meet the following requirements:

• The employer can be any organization, except your own company or a private person.
  The employer may also be LUT University or LAB University of Applied Sciences.

• The work must be done on-site or in a hybrid format.
  The subsidy is not granted for fully remote work.

• The internship must equal at least 1 month of full-time work.
  The period may be longer than 3 months, but the subsidy does not increase.
  Part-time work is allowed, but the total workload must correspond to one month of full-time employment.

• The employer must sign the subsidy agreement electronically with LAB University of Applied Sciences.

• The employer must provide adequate supervision and follow labor laws and any applicable collective agreements.

• The employer signs the employment contract with the student.

Remember to utilize Career Services support in the process (more information here).

More information about the subsidy: careerservices@lut.fi  or Mays Sweidan Mays.Sweidan@lut.fi