InternshipsVA: Half the Payroll, Twice the Talent Pipeline
If you're a Virginia small business owner who's wanted to bring on an intern but flinched at the payroll line item, the Commonwealth just made the math a lot friendlier. InternshipsVA, launched by Governor Abigail Spanberger in February 2026 and led by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, helps Virginia employers design and launch high-quality, paid internships — with the state picking up part of the tab. Virginia has committed $14.5 million a year to the program, which is funded through the Commonwealth's Innovative Internship Fund and Program.
Here's the part that matters for your budget: the matching grant reimburses employers one-half of the intern's wages, capped at $7,500 per intern per state fiscal year and up to $75,000 for ten interns. To qualify, you need physical operations in Virginia, good standing with the State Corporation Commission, 150 or fewer Virginia-based full-time employees, and an internship that runs at least 120 hours over eight weeks at or above Virginia minimum wage. Interns must be enrolled at a Virginia college or university — or heading there next semester — and not yet holding an undergraduate degree. One caveat worth noting: 1099 contractors don't count, and you can't be reimbursed for more interns than you have employees.
The process is refreshingly light. Complete the required training, then submit your application at least two weeks before the internship starts — and a single application can cover multiple internships across a 12-month window. You pay the intern, then request reimbursement within 60 days of the internship's end; VEDP reviews within a week and disburses funds within 30 days of approval. Recruiting help is baked in, too: VEDP has an exclusive partnership with Handshake so you can post directly to a marketplace of Virginia students, and Regional Internship Managers are on hand to walk you through it.
Employers are already moving. In the program's first four months, more than 250 employers applied for matching grants, creating over 600 internships. Businesses that complete the training and build genuinely strong programs can also earn the "InVAluable Employer Partner" designation to use on career pages and job postings — a real recruiting signal in a competitive market. For a small business, an intern isn't just cheap labor; it's a low-risk way to test a role, grow your bench, and build relationships with talent before your competitors do. Start at vedp.org/internshipsva or email internshipsva@vedp.org.
