Open
Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y)
Money for SMEs and non-profits to hire youth
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 30,000
Timeline
- Closing date : September 15, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
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.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Up to 15% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : September 15, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- 500 employees maximum
Audience
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Higher Education
- Environment
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- Young adults
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Providing internship opportunities for post-graduate students to gain practical experience in digital skills.
- Engaging interns to support organizational projects requiring digital competencies.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Organizations seeking interns to apply digital skills
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
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.
Documents and links
Frequently Asked Questions about the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y). 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.
What is the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y)?
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.
How much funding can be received?
Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) Funds up to 15% of admissible expenses, capped at $30,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) program?
To be eligible for the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) program, you must:
Your organization must be seeking interns to apply digital skills.
What expenses are eligible under Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y)?
Providing internship opportunities for post-graduate students to gain practical experience in digital skills.
Engaging interns to support organizational projects requiring digital competencies.
Where is the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) available?
The Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) program is available across Canada.
Is the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) is a Wage Subsidies And Interns
Who are the financial supporters of the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y)?
Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) is funded by Innovation Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Government of Canada