Geran LiKES TalentCorp 2026: RM2,000 Grant & 50% Reimbursement for Intern Hiring

Hiring and retaining talent continues to be a challenge for many businesses, especially SMEs and start-ups operating with limited budgets.

One cost-effective way to build a future talent pipeline is through internship programmes. However, providing structured training and paying monthly intern allowances can still place additional pressure on company finances.

To support Malaysian businesses, TalentCorp introduced the Geran Padanan Latihan Industri untuk PKS & Syarikat Pemula (LiKES). This initiative helps companies offset internship costs while giving students valuable industry experience.

Starting from 2026, eligible companies may receive:

RM2,000 Geran Pendahuluan
Up to 50% reimbursement of intern allowances through the Bayar & Tuntut mechanism
Support for up to 10 interns per company

If your company plans to hire interns in 2026, understanding how LiKES works could help you reduce hiring costs while developing future talent.

What Is the TalentCorp LiKES Grant?

Image source: TalentCorp

The Geran Padanan Latihan Industri untuk PKS & Syarikat Pemula (LiKES) is a government-funded initiative managed by TalentCorp.

The programme encourages companies to provide structured and paid internship opportunities by helping cover internship-related costs.

For 2026, the government has allocated RM10 million under the LiKES programme to support eligible SMEs and start-ups across Malaysia.

Key Benefits at a Glance

Benefit	Details
Geran Pendahuluan	RM2,000
Allowance Reimbursement	Up to 50%
Maximum Monthly Claim	RM850 per intern
Maximum Internship Duration Covered	12 months
Maximum Number of Interns	10 interns per company

Why Should Companies Consider the LiKES Grant?

The LiKES programme offers more than just financial support.

Companies can:

Reduce internship-related costs
Improve cash flow through upfront funding
Build a pipeline of future employees
Evaluate potential hires before offering permanent positions
Support graduate employability
Strengthen workforce planning

For SMEs and start-ups, the programme provides an opportunity to access young talent while reducing recruitment expenses.

Who Can Apply for the LiKES Grant?

Both companies and interns must meet the programme requirements.

Company Requirements

To qualify, companies must:

Be registered with SSM or another recognised business registration authority in Malaysia
Qualify as an SME or start-up
Offer internship placements lasting between 2.5 months and 12 months
Provide a structured internship programme
Prepare internship job descriptions and training frameworks
Pay the required minimum monthly allowance
Receive approval from TalentCorp

Intern Requirements

Interns must:

Be Malaysian citizens
Be enrolled as full-time students at a higher education institution in Malaysia or overseas
Complete their internship in Malaysia
Register through MyNext Talent
Complete the internship before graduation

SME & Start-up Eligibility Criteria

What Qualifies as an SME?

A company may qualify as an SME if it meets either annual sales turnover or employee headcount requirements.

Manufacturing Sector

Category	Annual Sales Turnover	Full-Time Employees
Micro	Below RM300,000	Fewer than 5
Small	RM300,000 to below RM15 million	5 to below 75
Medium	RM15 million to RM50 million	75 to 200

Services & Other Sectors

Category	Annual Sales Turnover	Full-Time Employees
Micro	Below RM300,000	Fewer than 5
Small	RM300,000 to below RM3 million	5 to below 30
Medium	RM3 million to RM20 million	30 to 75

What Qualifies as a Start-up?

A business may qualify as a start-up if it:

Has operated in Malaysia for more than 2 years but less than 5 years
Has annual revenue and/or investment below RM20 million
Uses technology-enabled or innovation-driven business models

LiKES Funding Options

TalentCorp offers two funding options under the LiKES programme.

1. RM2,000 Geran Pendahuluan

Companies may receive RM2,000 upfront to support internship-related expenses.

Requirements:

Internship starts from March 2026 onwards
Internship duration is at least 4 months

2. Bayar & Tuntut (50% Reimbursement)

Under this option:

The company pays the intern allowance first.
TalentCorp reimburses up to 50% of the allowance paid.
Claims are subject to programme requirements.

Maximum reimbursement:

Up to RM850 per intern per month
Up to 12 months

How the LiKES Grant Works

Internships Starting in 2025

Interns who started their internship in 2025 remain under the previous Geran Padanan mechanism.

Companies pay the allowance first and claim reimbursement according to the approved rates.

Internships Starting in 2026

Interns beginning their placements in 2026 may qualify for:

RM2,000 Geran Pendahuluan
50% allowance reimbursement
Or both benefits, depending on eligibility

Image source: TalentCorp

Maximum Claims Per Company

The LiKES programme limits claims according to the following rules.

Maximum of 10 Interns

Each company may claim LiKES benefits for up to 10 interns.

RM2,000 Geran Pendahuluan Limited to First 5 Interns

The RM2,000 Geran Pendahuluan is available only for the first five eligible interns.

If Your Company Hires More Than 5 Interns

Interns 1–5

Eligible for:

RM2,000 Geran Pendahuluan
50% allowance reimbursement

Interns 6–10

Eligible for:

50% allowance reimbursement only

Internship Allowance Requirements & Funding Entitlement

To qualify for LiKES, companies must provide the minimum monthly allowance based on the intern's academic qualification.

Category	Qualification Level	Minimum Monthly Allowance	Funding Available
Tier 1	Sijil termasuk Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) Tahap 1–3, Diploma, atau Diploma Kemahiran Malaysia (DKM)	RM500	RM2,000 Geran Pendahuluan (minimum 4-month internship) and/or 50% reimbursement. Maximum claim of RM850 per month for up to 12 months.
Tier 2	Diploma Lanjutan Kemahiran Malaysia (DLKM), Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, atau Sijil Profesional	RM600	RM2,000 Geran Pendahuluan (minimum 4-month internship) and/or 50% reimbursement. Maximum claim of RM850 per month for up to 12 months.

LiKES Calculator

TalentCorp provides a LiKES Calculator that helps companies estimate the amount of funding they may receive.

The calculator considers:

Internship start date
Internship duration
Monthly allowance
Academic qualification level

Example Calculation

Item	Value
Qualification	Bachelor's Degree
Monthly Allowance	RM1,200
Duration	6 Months
Potential Reimbursement	Up to RM3,600
Geran Pendahuluan	RM2,000
Total Potential Benefit	Up to RM5,600

How to Apply for the LiKES Grant

Image source: TalentCorp

Step 1: Register With TalentCorp

Submit your registration through the TalentCorp LiKES portal.

Estimated processing time: 10 working days.

Step 2: Upload Supporting Documents

Required documents may include:

Internship offer letter
Acceptance letter
Student identification documents
Internship details
Training framework
Internship job description
Company bank details
Declaration forms

Estimated processing time: 14 working days.

Step 3: Approval & Assessment

Approved companies will receive official confirmation and further instructions.

Interns should also complete their MyNext Talent registration.

Estimated processing time: 5 working days.

Step 4: Reimbursement Notification

TalentCorp will notify companies regarding approved reimbursement amounts.

Estimated processing time: 14 working days.

Step 5: Receive Payment

Approved funds will be transferred directly into the company's registered bank account.

Step 6: Internship Completion

Interns must complete the required evaluation process after finishing their internship placement.

Additional Information

For enquiries and further information about the Industrial Training Matching Grant for SMEs & Start-ups (LiKES), please refer to:

TalentCorp Portal
TalentCorp Malaysia Facebook Page
Email: likes@talentcorp.com.my / info@talentcorp.com.my
Telephone: +60 3-7839 7000

Downloads

Image source: TalentCorp

FAQs

What Is the LiKES Grant?

The LiKES Grant is a TalentCorp initiative that helps SMEs and start-ups reduce the cost of offering paid internship programmes.

How Much Funding Can Companies Receive?

Eligible companies may receive:

RM2,000 Geran Pendahuluan
Up to 50% reimbursement of internship allowances
Up to RM850 per month per intern

Which Companies Are Eligible?

Eligible SMEs and start-ups registered in Malaysia may apply, subject to programme requirements.

How Long Must the Internship Last?

Minimum 4 months for RM2,000 Geran Pendahuluan
Between 2.5 and 12 months for reimbursement claims

Is the RM2,000 Paid to the Intern?

No. The RM2,000 Geran Pendahuluan is paid directly to the company.

Can Companies Claim for Multiple Interns?

Yes. Companies may claim benefits for up to 10 interns under the programme.

Looking to Hire Interns?

A structured internship programme can help companies identify future employees while reducing recruitment costs.

Post your internship opportunities on AJobThing and connect with students and fresh graduates across Malaysia.