Internship Placement Matching Grant for SMEs and Start-Ups (LiKES)
The Internship Placement Matching Grant for SMEs & Start-Ups (LiKES) is a Government incentive by TalentCorp to help Malaysian SMEs and start-ups offer structured, paid internships while easing financial constraints.
LiKES enables businesses to develop talent pipelines, strengthen workforce capabilities, and provide meaningful industry exposure to students all while managing operational costs more effectively.
For 2026, TalentCorp is enhancing the initiative with more flexible funding options to better support employers’ cash flow and hiring needs. As announced by the Minister of Human Resources (KESUMA), eligible employers may receive an upfront grant of RM2,000 under LiKES, effective 1 March 2026.
Supporting Employers to Develop Future Talent
LiKES helps employers to:
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Reduce the cost of hiring interns
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Develop a pipeline of potential future hires
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Provide meaningful, structured workplace experience
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Enable SMEs to play a stronger role in national talent development
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Support students’ transition from education to employment
Funding Options for 2026
LiKES grant/matching grant eligibility depends on the internship activities:
RM2,000 Advance Grant
Receive RM2,000 upfront to ease initial internship costs and support early cash flow. For internships commencing from March 2026, with a minimum duration of 4 months.
50% Matching Grant (Pay & Claim)
Pay the intern's monthly allowance and claim up to 50% reimbursement based on approved rates, capped at RM850 per month for up to 12 months.
For 2026, RM10 million has been allocated under the LiKES Matching Grant to support SMEs and start-ups nationwide.
LiKES Matching Grant Enhanced with RM2,000 Advance Grant
| Advance Grant RM2,000 | 50% Matching Grant (Pay and Claim) |
|---|---|
| RM2,000 is paid in advance to the eligible employer. | 50% reimbursement of monthly allowance paid, capped at RM850 per month. |
| The internship must be for a period of four (4) months and shall commence from March 2026 onwards. | Minimum duration of 2.5 months and maximum of 12 months. |
| Applicable to internship students who have been offered internship placement. | |
| The minimum allowance must comply with RM500 / RM600 according to tier. | |
| Subject to approval and terms and conditions. | |
How Does It Work?
Interns starting in 2025: Subject to the previous Matching Grant (Pay & Claim) mechanism. Employers pay the full monthly allowance upfront and may claim RM250/month (Tier 1) or RM300/month (Tier 2), subject to LiKES 2025 Terms & Conditions.
Interns starting in 2026: Subject to the updated LiKES reimbursement structure — RM2,000 Advance Grant and/or 50% Matching Grant (Pay & Claim).
Maximum claim limits per employer:
- LiKES benefits may be claimed for a maximum of 10 interns in total.
- The RM2,000 Advance Grant is limited to 5 interns, prioritised by earliest internship start date.
- If more than 5 interns are hired, only the first 5 receive the Advance Grant. The remaining (up to 10 total) are eligible under the 50% Matching Grant (Pay & Claim).
Tier Allowance Structure
| Tiering | Minimum Monthly Allowance | Reimbursement by TalentCorp |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 Certificate including Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 1–3, Diploma, or Malaysian Skills Diploma (DKM). |
RM500.00 |
Total monthly claim capped at RM850/month for 12 months. |
| Tier 2 Malaysian Advanced Skills Diploma (DLKM), Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Professional Certificate. |
RM600.00 |
Who Can Apply?
| Company | Intern |
|---|---|
| SMEs and Start-ups registered with Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) or other valid business registration bodies accepted in Malaysia. | Malaysian Citizen studying full time at tertiary institutions in Malaysia or abroad. |
| Provide internship placement for a minimum of 2.5 months and maximum of 12 months. | Secure an internship offer with a LiKES Company. |
| Pay intern a minimum monthly allowance according to tier. | Undergoing internship in Malaysia. |
| Complete the internship module structure and job description. | Completed registration on MyNext Talent at talent.mynext.my. |
| Registered and approved by TalentCorp. | Complete the internship before the end of the study programme. |
Definition of Small Medium Enterprise (SME)
An enterprise qualifies as an SME if it meets either the sales turnover or full-time employee criteria:
| Type of Company | Manufacturing Sector | Services & Other Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Microenterprises (all sectors) | Sales turnover < RM300,000 OR < 5 employees | |
| Small | Sales turnover RM300,000 – < RM15 million OR 5 – < 75 employees | Sales turnover RM300,000 – < RM3 million OR 5 – < 30 employees |
| Medium | Sales turnover RM15 million – ≤ RM50 million OR 75 – ≤ 200 employees | Sales turnover RM3 million – ≤ RM20 million OR 30 – ≤ 75 employees |
For more information on SME verification, visit smecorp.gov.my.
Definition of Start-Up
- Company must be incorporated in Malaysia for more than two (2) years but not exceeding five (5) years.
- Revenue and/or investment size of less than RM20 million.
- Innovation-driven and disruptive, technology-enabled business.
Scenario Examples Based on Internship Activities
SCENARIO A
Companies that hired interns at any time in 2025. Reimbursement is subject to LiKES 2025 Terms & Conditions.
Example: Company A — Degree-level intern, RM600/month, Sept 2025 – Feb 2026.
| Month | Sept 2025 | Oct 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Mechanism | Pay and Claim — Matching Grant capped at RM300 | |||||
| Company pays to Intern | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 |
| TalentCorp reimburses Company | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 |
| Total actual cost to Company | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 |
- Total claimable by Company A: RM1,800.00
- Companies whose interns started in 2025 must pay the full allowance first and may claim the Matching Grant capped at RM300/month (limited to RM3,000/intern/year for RM500 allowance; RM3,600 for RM600 and above).
SCENARIO B
Companies hiring interns starting January or February 2026, for 4 months or less. Eligible for 50% Matching Grant (Pay & Claim).
Example: Company B — Degree-level intern, RM600/month, Jan – Apr 2026.
| Month | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | Apr 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Mechanism | Pay and Claim — 50% Matching Grant | |||
| Company pays to Intern | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 |
| TalentCorp reimburses Company | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 |
| Total actual cost to Company | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 |
- Total claimable under 50% Matching Grant: RM1,200
- Interns starting January 2026 for 4 months or less are eligible for the 50% Matching Grant (Pay & Claim).
SCENARIO C
Companies hiring interns from March 2026, for more than 4 months, with an allowance above RM1,100. Eligible for RM2,000 Advance Grant + 50% Matching Grant.
Example: Company C — Degree-level intern, RM1,200/month, Mar – Oct 2026.
| Month | Mar 2026 | Apr 2026 | May 2026 | Jun 2026 | Jul 2026 | Aug 2026 | Sep 2026 | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Mechanism | Advance Grant: RM2,000.00 | Pay and Claim: 50% Matching Grant | ||||||
| Company pays to Intern | RM1,200 | RM1,200 | RM1,200 | RM1,200 | RM1,200 | RM1,200 | RM1,200 | RM1,200 |
| TalentCorp pays to Company | RM500 | RM500 | RM500 | RM500 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 |
| Advance Grant RM2,000 — assumed divided over 4 months | Reimbursement 50% Matching Grant | |||||||
| Additional reimbursement to Company | RM100 | RM100 | RM100 | RM100 | — | — | — | — |
| Reimbursement of balance allowance — claimable only after internship ends | ||||||||
| Total Actual Cost incurred by the Company | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 |
- RM2,000 Advance Grant is disbursed upon approval. The company pays the balance of RM100/month to ensure the intern receives the minimum RM600/month.
- Once the Advance Grant is fully utilized, the company pays the full allowance and claims the 50% Matching Grant. Total claimable: RM2,400.
- Company may also claim an additional RM100/month reimbursement from Mar–Jun 2026, upon completion of the first 4 months, to reach RM600 (50% of RM1,200).
SCENARIO D
Companies hiring interns between January and February 2026, for more than 4 months, with an allowance above RM1,100. Eligible for 50% Matching Grant then RM2,000 Advance Grant.
Example: Company D — Degree-level intern, RM1,200/month, Jan – Jun 2026.
| Month | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | Apr 2026 | May 2026 | Jun 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Mechanism | 50% Matching Grant | Advance Grant: RM2,000 | ||||
| Company pays to Intern | RM1,200 | RM1,200 | RM1,200 | RM1,200 | RM1,200 | RM1,200 |
| TC Reimbursement to Company | RM600 | RM600 | RM500 | RM500 | RM500 | RM500 |
| Additional reimbursement | — | — | RM100 | RM100 | RM100 | RM100 |
| Total actual cost incurred by the company | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 | RM600 |
- Company paid full allowance for the first two months (January and February).
- May claim 50% Matching Grant for those two months together with the Advance Grant Claim in March.
- Upon approval, company receives the RM2,000 Advance Grant including RM1,200 Pay & Claim reimbursement.
- Eligible for an additional RM100/month reimbursement from March–June upon internship completion, to reach RM600 (50% of monthly allowance).
SCENARIO E
Companies hiring interns between January and February 2026, for more than 4 months, with an allowance below RM1,100. Eligible for 50% Matching Grant then RM2,000 Advance Grant.
Example: Company E — Degree-level intern, RM800/month, Jan – Jun 2026.
| Month | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | Apr 2026 | May 2026 | Jun 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Mechanism | 50% Matching Grant | Advance Grant: RM2,000 | ||||
| Company pays to Intern | RM800 | RM800 | RM800 | RM800 | RM800 | RM800 |
| TC Reimbursement to Company | RM400 | RM400 | RM500 | RM500 | RM500 | RM500 |
| Additional reimbursement | — | — | RM0 | RM0 | RM0 | RM0 |
| Total actual cost to Company | RM400 | RM400 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 |
- Company paid full allowance for the first two months (January and February).
- May claim 50% Matching Grant for those two months together with the Advance Grant Claim in March.
- Upon approval, company receives the RM2,000 Advance Grant including RM800 Pay & Claim reimbursement.
- Company is not eligible for additional monthly reimbursement from March–June, as the monthly reimbursement already exceeds 50% of monthly allowance.
How to Apply and Claim for LiKES 2026
1
Register LiKES at www.talentcorp.com.my & fill up the registration form
*For non-eligible companies, they are encouraged to apply for the National Structured Internship Programme (MySIP).
⏱ 10 Working Days2
Company receives confirmation email & completes all details
UPLOAD:
- Acceptance Letter
- Copy of Student Card
- Offer Letter issued to the interns
- Intern Details
- Internship Framework & Job Description
- Banking details
- Surat Aku Janji
3
Company receives approval email & Employer Evaluation Form
Payment process starts upon completion of Evaluation Form.
Intern must register on MyNext Talent. Interns are encouraged to participate in the video competition.
⏱ 5 Working Days4
Company receives reimbursement email with intern's name & amount
*Company will only receive 14 days as reimbursement period upon finance approval. For any payment-related issues, the company is required to provide the additional documents requested by TalentCorp within five (5) working days
⏱ 14 Working Days5
Company receives payment advice once payment is successfully processed
6
Company receives payment confirmation & Intern Evaluation Form will be provided
Interns are required to complete the Intern Evaluation Form.
✅ CompleteApply Now!
Complete the registration form via the REGISTER NOW button below.
TalentCorp may request certified documents during registration to verify the employer's incorporation or registration with relevant authorities.
The internship reimbursement claim submission must be made not more than 3 months from the date of completion of internship (per assessment year).
Interns must sign up on MyNext Talent at talent.mynext.my upon receiving an internship placement offer from a LiKES company.
For more information, please contact:
For more information, please contact: likes@talentcorp.com.my
