Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y)
Last Update: June 12, 2025
Canada
Money for SMEs and non-profits to hire youth
Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $30,000
- Up to 15% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : July 10, 2023
- Closing date : July 9, 2025
Financing Type
Wage Subsidies And Interns
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Grant Providers
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)
- Government of Canada
- Innovation Canada
Status
Open
Overview of the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) program
Get a subsidy of up to $30,000 to cover the wages and associated training costs when you hire a post-secondary graduate 15 to 30 years old. You must provide the intern with digital and soft-skills experiences that will prepare them for the workplace.
Financing terms and conditions
Up to $30,000 per youth internship to cover 100% of wages, mandatory employment costs, training, and eligible admin costs.
Some delivery organizations cap funding slightly lower, e.g.:
- Up to $25,500 (e.g. Innovate BC).
- Up to $24,000 with an 80% wage subsidy (e.g. BioTalent Canada).
$10.68 million federal investment in 2023 created 356 placements, implying an average of ~$30,000 per project.
Eligible projects & activities
- Providing internship opportunities for post-graduate students to gain practical experience in digital skills.
- Engaging interns to support organizational projects requiring digital competencies.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 20,000
Employing an IT support intern to enhance our technical infrastructure
$ 20,000
Hiring a web development intern for upgrading our e-commerce platform
$ 20,000
Hiring a graphic design intern to redesign marketing materials for our organization
$ 20,000
Bringing on a marketing intern to strengthen our online presence
$ 20,000
Engaging a data analysis intern to support our research initiatives
$ 20,000
Hiring a software development intern to work on a mobile app project
Eligibility criteria of the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) program
- The organization must be seeking interns interested in applying digital skills.
Who is eligible?
- Organizations seeking interns to apply digital skills
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
How to apply to the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) program
1
Preliminary Registration
- Visit the websites of the designated DS4Y delivery organizations, such as BioTalent, Communautique, or others listed.
- Create an account or profile on the organization’s online platform if required.
- Review the specific requirements and guidelines for the Digital Skills for Youth program provided by the organization.
2
Prepare Application
- Gather necessary documents such as your resume, proof of post-graduate status, and any certifications related to digital skills.
- Prepare a cover letter or statement explaining your interest in the program and your skills in the digital economy.
- Identify the internship opportunities you are interested in within the organization’s offerings.
3
Submit Application
- Log in to the designated organization’s platform where applications are accepted.
- Fill out the online application form including personal information and your chosen internship role.
- Upload all required documents, ensuring they meet the organization’s format and criteria.
- Review the application for completeness and errors.
- Submit the application through the organization’s online system.
4
Confirmation of Submission
- Receive a confirmation email or notification once the application is successfully submitted.
- Keep a copy of the confirmation for your records and follow any further instructions provided.
Additional information
- Internship opportunities are facilitated through multiple delivery organizations across Canada.
- The DS4Y program is supported by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
- The program period covers 2023-2025, aligning with the listed delivery organizations.
- Delivery organizations may have dedicated program resources such as FAQs available on their websites.
Apply to this program
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