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
This scenario applies to companies that hired interns at any time in 2025. Hence, the reimbursement shall be subject to LiKES 2025 Terms & Conditions.
For instance, Company A hired a Degree-level intern with a monthly allowance of RM800 per month. The internship commenced in September 2025 and end in February 2026.
| Months | Sept 2025 | Oct 2025 | Nov 2025 | Dec 2025 | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Mechanism | Pay & Claim (Matching Grant capped at RM300) |
|||||
| Company pays to Intern | RM800 | RM800 | RM800 | RM800 | RM800 | RM800 |
| TalentCorp Reimburse to Company (claimable amount) | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 |
| Reimbursement Matching Grant | ||||||
| Total actual cost incurred by the company to intern | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 | RM300 |
Clarification
- Total claimable amount by Company A for the Intern is RM1,800.00 only.
- For companies whose interns commenced their internship in 2025, the company must pay the full allowance first and may claim the Matching Grant, capped at RM300 per month, throughout the internship period (limited to RM3,000 per intern per year if the monthly allowance is RM500, and RM3,600 per intern per year if the monthly allowance is RM600 and above).
SCENARIO B
This scenario applies to companies hiring internships starting between January 2026 or February 2026, with a total duration of below four (4) months. Hence, companies are eligible for the 50% Matching Grant (Pay & Claim).
For instance, Company B hires a Degree-level intern with a monthly allowance of RM800. The internship commenced in January 2026 and end in March 2026.
| Months | Jan 2026 | Feb 2026 | March 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant Mechanism | Pay & Claim : 50% Matching Grant | ||
| Company pays to Intern | RM800 | RM800 | RM800 |
| TalentCorp Reimburse to Company (claimable amount) | RM400 | RM400 | RM400 |
| Reimbursement 50% Matching Grant | |||
| Total actual cost incurred by the company to intern | RM400 | RM400 | RM400 |
Clarification
- Total claimable amount under 50% Matching Grant is RM1,200.
- Interns start from January 2026 (below 4 months) are applicable for 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.
LiKES 2026
Get an estimate of how much you can be reimbursed
Use the LiKES Calculator to quickly estimate your eligible grant based on your intern's start date, duration, allowance, and tier — all in just a few clicks.
Try the LiKES Calculator →Intern tierTier 2 (Degree)
Monthly allowanceRM 1,200
Start dateMarch 2026
Duration6 months
Estimated grantRM 4,400
LiKES End-to-End Operational Process Overview
1
Company Registration
Register your company through the LiKES portal and complete the registration form. Upload your SSM with Certificate True Copy (CTC) / Digital Certificate True Copy (DCTC) for verification.
https://www.talentcorp.com.my/our-initiatives/for-employers-partners/likes/
⏱ 10 Working Days2
Registration Approval
Within 10 working days, Admin will approve and your company will receive a registration approval notification via the MyNext portal.
⏱ 10 Working Days3
Intern Management
Submit your intern information, internship details, and the required supporting documents through the MyNext portal:
- Offer Letter
- Acceptance Letter
- Copy of Student Card
- Payment Proof
4
Intern Approval
Within 14 working days, the LiKES Secretariat will review the submitted information and supporting documents. Additional documents may be requested if required.
⏱ 14 Working Days5
Reimbursement & Payment Successful
Once the application is approved, the reimbursement will be processed. Companies can view the payment advice through the MyNext portal after the payment has been successfully completed within 14 working days.
✅ CompleteNote:
MECHANISMS AVAILABLE:
A = Advanced RM2,000
M = 50% Matching Grant
A + M = Advanced RM2,000 + 50% Matching Grant
Internship Duration according to the Mechanisms
A (= 4 Month) – Claim can be submitted for internships with a duration of 4 months.
M (< 4 Month) – Claim can only be submitted upon completion of the internship.
A+M (> 4 Months) – “A” covers the first 4 months of the internship. “M” can be claimed upon completion of the internship.
Apply 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
