BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship

Q: How much funding can be received?

BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $25000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Is the BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship a grant, loan, or tax credit?

BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship is a Wage Subsidies And Interns

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship?

BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship is funded by BioTalent Canada

Q: Who is eligible for the BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship program?

To be eligible for the BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship program, you must: • Eligible employers include individuals, for-profit organizations, governmental bodies, post-secondary institutions, and various organizations such as non-profits and Indigenous organizations. • Employers must add the participant to their payroll with mandatory tax deductions (CPP, EI, etc.).

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship?

You can contact BioTalent Canada.

Q: Where is the BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship available?

The BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship program is available across Canada.

Q: Are youth (under 40) eligible for the BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship program?

Yes, youth under 40 are eligible to apply for the BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Subsidized environmental STEM intern

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $25,000
Up to 80% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : August 1, 2019
Closing date : March 1, 2021

Financing Type

Wage Subsidies And Interns

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services
Health care and social assistance

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

Hire an intern for 6 to 12 months for an environmental science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) job and receive a subsidy of up to 80% of their salary (maximum $25,000).

Financing terms and conditions

The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program provides a robust wage subsidy to support the employment of young graduates in environment-related STEM fields. These financing modalities are designed to alleviate financial burdens for employers, thereby fostering employment growth in the bio-economy and healthcare sectors.

Coverage of up to 80% of a participant’s salary to a maximum of $25,000.
Potential eligibility for an additional $5,000 for training, skills development, and wrap-around services.

Activities funded

This grant supports projects that focus on providing youth with valuable work experience in environment-related STEM fields. Eligible activities are designed to benefit both employers and recent graduates by fostering skills development and encouraging participation in the bio-economy.

Engaging young professionals in full-time internships within bio-economy or healthcare organizations.
Providing training and skills development opportunities as part of the internship experience.
Focusing work on innovative projects in green economy sectors.
Offering salaries above the minimum wage to ensure fair compensation for interns.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 25,000

Hire an intern for a wildlife protection project

$ 25,000

Internship program for developing an urban water management system

$ 25,000

Intern to assist in developing environmental education programs

$ 25,000

Hire an intern to assist in developing renewable energy models

$ 25,000

Intern for clean energy research and development

$ 25,000

Internship for developing sustainable agriculture technologies

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program requires that companies or organizations meet specific criteria related to their profile and intended internship activities.

Eligible employers include individuals, for-profit organizations (such as small- or medium-sized enterprises, corporations, or industry associations).
Provincial and territorial, municipal and local governments, including institutions, agencies and Crown Corporations, can apply.
Post-secondary institutions and organizations, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous organizations, and band councils/tribal councils, qualify.
The internship must not be funded by another federally-funded program like IRAP or Mitacs.
The internship must be conducted in a bio-economy or healthcare organization.

Who is eligible?

Eligible employers under the Science Horizons program include individuals, for-profit organizations (small- or medium-sized enterprises, corporations, or industry associations), provincial and territorial, municipal and local governments including institutions, agencies and Crown Corporations, post-secondary institutions, and organizations such as non-governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, and Indigenous organizations including band councils/tribal councils and local organizations. The program is designed to assist employers in hiring young talent eager to work in environment-related STEM fields while helping graduates gain skills and experience.

Who is not eligible

There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program grant:

Companies funded by another federally-funded program like IRAP, Mitacs, etc.

Eligible expenses

The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program provides opportunities for young individuals to gain valuable work experience in the bio-economy or healthcare sectors. It covers a range of activities that align with environment-related STEM fields to equip participants with practical skills.

Internships in bio-economy or healthcare organizations focusing on environmental STEM fields.
Projects that ensure the development and training of interns in scientific and technical roles.
Activities that provide a safe and inclusive work environment adhering to applicable laws.
Experiences that offer potential career advancement and exceed minimum wage requirements.

Selection criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program.

New graduates aged 30 or under, legally entitled to work in Canada, not receiving Employment Insurance benefits, and meeting specific internship requirements are eligible.
Employers must demonstrate the ability to provide a safe and inclusive work environment, offer skills development and training opportunities, and align with the program's goals.
Priority is given to applicants from underrepresented talent groups and organizations that have not previously participated in the program.

How to apply

Verify Employer and Participant Eligibility

Ensure the employer meets eligibility criteria under the Science Horizons program.
Confirm that the internship and participants comply with the program's requirements.

Pre-approval Application

Contact Jennifer Ash, Project Manager, before submitting the application.
Prepare and send necessary information for pre-approval.

Gather Required Documentation

Collect supporting documentation for the participant and the internship.

Submit Claim Form

Download the claim form from the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program Forms section.
Complete the claim form, ensuring all necessary details and documentation are attached.
Submit the completed form to the designated contact for reimbursement.

Approval Process

Wait up to 10 business days for participant approval for program participation.
Ensure the participant does not start the internship until approval is received.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The wage subsidy contribution is 80% of the participant's salary, up to $25,000.
Employers may be eligible for up to an additional $5,000 for training, skills development, and wrap-around services.
Participants must be approved for program participation prior to starting the internship, and this process can take up to 10 business days.
Internships must offer a safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment complying with all applicable laws.
Applications are prioritized for employers who have not previously participated in the program and those hiring from underrepresented talent groups.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the BioTalent — Science Horizons Youth Internship. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.