Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y)

Q: How much funding can be received?

Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) Funds up to 15% of admissible expenses, capped at $30000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2025-07-09T14:56:08Z.

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y)?

You can contact Innovation Canada.

Q: Where is the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) available?

The Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) program is available across Canada.

Q: Are youth (under 40) eligible for the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) program?

Yes, youth under 40 are eligible to apply for the Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y) program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Money for SMEs and non-profits to hire youth

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

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

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.

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.

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.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 20,000

Hiring a web development intern for upgrading our e-commerce platform

$ 20,000

Bringing on a marketing intern to strengthen our online presence

$ 20,000

Employing an IT support intern to enhance our technical infrastructure

$ 20,000

Hiring a graphic design intern to redesign marketing materials for our organization

$ 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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Documents and links

Digital Skills for Youth Program (DS4Y)

Apply to this program

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.