First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector)

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Q: Who is eligible for the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector) program?

To be eligible for the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector) program, you must: • Eligible applicants include First Nations and Inuit governments, organizations, and schools. • Not-for-profit associations and private sector employers may apply. • Organizations must provide opportunities for eligible First Nations and Inuit youth.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector)?

You can contact Indigenous Services Canada by email at pse-eps@sac-isc.gc.ca.

Q: Where is the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector) available?

The First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector) program is available across Canada.

Q: Are youth (under 40) eligible for the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector) program?

Yes, youth under 40 are eligible to apply for the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector) program.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector) program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector) program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Funding to provide work skills to First Nations and Inuit youth

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Up to 100% of project cost

Timeline

Closing date : February 10, 2024

Financing Type

Wage Subsidies And Interns

Eligible Industries

Educational services

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Closed

Overview

Get a contribution to develop projects to help First Nations and Inuit youth acquire essential employment skills and learn about job and career options.

Financing terms and conditions

This program provides financial support to First Nations and Inuit communities, governments, organizations, and not-for-profit associations to facilitate employability and career development for youth. The funding modalities are designed to cover wage and employment-related costs based on the type of organization.

Not-for-profit organizations are eligible to receive funding to cover up to 100% of wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs.
Private sector employers are eligible to receive funding to cover up to 50% of wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs.

Activities funded

The First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program is dedicated to empowering First Nations and Inuit youth by developing their employability skills and exposing them to various career pathways. This program supports an array of activities that enhance employment prospects through hands-on experiences and educational opportunities.

Career promotion activities to introduce youth to diverse job options.
Science and technology activities that engage youth with practical experiments and projects.
Co-operative education placements for students in grades 7 to 12 at federal or band-operated schools.
Internships that provide real-world work experience in various fields.
Mentored work placements offering supervised employment for youth who are not currently in school, unemployed, or underemployed.
National science camps encouraging Indigenous students to consider careers in science and technology.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 160,000

Initiating an environmental technology project for Inuit youth

$ 60,000

Organizing career orientation workshops for First Nations youth

$ 90,000

Establishing a co-operative education program for Indigenous youth

$ 100,000

Providing technology internships for First Nations youth

$ 85,000

Creating mentored work placements for First Nations youth

$ 150,000

Launching a science camp for Inuit youth

Eligibility

Eligible recipients include First Nations and Inuit communities, governments, and organizations, as well as not-for-profit associations, schools, and employers who can offer employment opportunities directly to youth or through agreements with private sector and non-profit sector employers.

First Nations and Inuit governments and organizations
First Nations schools or federal schools on reserve
Not-for-profit associations
Private sector employers
Eligible youth participants:
First Nations youth ordinarily resident on reserve or in a recognized community
Inuit youth who are residents in Canada but reside outside their territory and are no longer eligible to be funded by their territory
Youth legally entitled to work in Canada aged 15 to 30 at the start of the program’s activities
Mentored work placements for youth who are not in school or are unemployed or underemployed
Co-operative education placements for students in grades 7 to 12, or secondary 1 to secondary 5, enrolled in and attending a federal or band-operated school
Youth younger than 15 years old for activities promoting careers and science and technology

Who is eligible?

Yes, there are eligible types of companies for the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program. The program eligible recipients include various organizations and employers that can provide employment opportunities for First Nations and Inuit youth.

First Nations and Inuit governments and organizations
First Nations schools or federal schools on reserve
Not-for-profit associations
Private sector employers

Eligible expenses

Eligible expenses for this grant include wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs. Not-for-profit organizations may receive up to 100% coverage, and private sector employers may receive up to 50% coverage for these costs.

Wage costs
Mandatory employment-related costs

Selection criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Proposals are reviewed and approved by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) Regional office or the First Nations or Inuit organization managing the program for their member communities.

Meet the National First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy Skills Link Program guidelines
Be gender-balanced
Outline the activities to be undertaken and explain how they will meet the program's objectives
Outline the results to be achieved by the project
Demonstrate that the activities will provide assistance only to eligible participants
Provide an estimate of eligible costs, including those assumed by partners

How to apply

Preparing the Proposal

Draft a detailed proposal describing the planned activities.
Ensure that the proposal aligns with the Employment Strategy for Inuit and First Nations Youth: National Guidelines.
Specify the expected outcomes and how the activities will achieve the program's objectives.
Include an estimate of eligible costs, including costs shared with partners.

Criteria and Guidelines

Consult the program guidelines and ensure that all participation criteria are met.

Submitting the Proposal

Submit the proposal via the ISC Services Portal if you have access.
For those without access to the portal, contact your regional ISC office for more information.
Engage the First Nations Education Coordination Committee for applications in British Columbia.

Receiving the Response

Wait for a written response from the regional office of Indigenous Services Canada or your managing organization regarding the approval of your proposal.

Additional information

Here are some additional pieces of information about the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program:

Eligible participants must be legally entitled to work in Canada and aged 15 to 30 at the start of the program’s activities.
Mentored work placements are specifically for youth who are not in school or are unemployed or underemployed.
Co-operative education placements target students in grades 7 to 12 or secondary 1 to secondary 5.
Youth participating in activities promoting careers and science and technology may be younger than 15 years of age.
Recipients who have access to the ISC services portal can access the proposal form by opening a session on the portal.
Eligible recipients may provide employment opportunities directly to youth or collaborate with private sector and non-profit sector employers.
Not-for-profit organizations can receive funding to cover up to 100% of wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs.
Private sector employers can receive funding for up to 50% of wage costs and mandatory employment-related costs.
To learn more or apply, contact your ISC Regional office or email pse-eps@sac-isc.gc.ca.

Contacts

pse-eps@sac-isc.gc.ca

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the First Nations and Inuit Skills Link Program (Not-for-Profit Sector). 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.