Digital Skills for Youth: Applicant guide

Table of contents

• About the program
  • What is a delivery organization
  • Employers
  • Youth interns/participant
• Application toolkit
  • What are the digital skills?
  • Digital occupations could include
• Deadline to submit applications
• Program requirements
• Eligible recipients (delivery organizations)
  • Employers must
  • Eligible participants: interns
• Eligible activities
• Eligible expenditures
• Ineligible expenditures
• Assessment criteria
  • Application package requirements
  • Required documents
    • Mandatory
    • Optional
• Assessment of applications
• Application form
• Deadline
• Policies and considerations

About the program

Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) is part of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), a Government of Canada initiative that delivers programs, through a network of 12 federal departments, agencies, and Crown corporations. The Strategy is designed to support diverse youth (aged 15 to 30) become job-ready through work experience, training, skills development and wraparound supports that allow them to successfully transition into diverse sectors of the labour market. Through its wide range of programs, the Strategy invests in young people to build a strong Canadian economy while ensuring we continue to support those who may struggle to get ahead.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) supports YESS by delivering DS4Y. This program contributes to YESS by supporting, through wage-subsidy opportunities, youth who are more or less job-ready but who may require a first employment experience and skills development to enter and succeed in the labour market.

DS4Y connects underemployed post-secondary graduates with small businesses and not-for-profit organizations where they can gain meaningful work experience to help them transition to career-oriented employment.

The program supports delivery organizations that have a broad network of small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with up to under 500 employees and not-for-profit organizations that can create employment opportunities to help youth build the digital skills needed for the digital economy. The opportunities should help prepare youth to adapt to the major changes expected in tomorrow's workplace, including in emerging areas where the jobs may not yet exist, such as those related to cybersecurity, the automation of knowledge tasks, big data and artificial intelligence, among others.

As part of the YESS, DS4Y program received a total of $10.47 million per year to support 349 internships per year, starting in 2026-2027, to:

• Increase the employability and marketability of youth
• Help youth transition to career-oriented employment
• Support the development of advanced digital skills needed for the digital economy

The DS4Y program objectives align with YESS and are to help all youth navigate today's labour market and successfully transition into sustained employment.

These objectives are attained by supporting the needs of all youth, especially youth facing barriers, to develop skills, knowledge and networks through education, skills development, and meaningful work experiences.

The DS4Y program outcomes align with YESS and are:

• Youth, especially those facing barriers, have access to wrap around supports, skills training, and employment opportunities they need to obtain employment or return to school
• Youth successfully participate in an inclusive labour market

This guide has been developed to assist applicants to Digital Skills for Youth Call for Proposal (2026-28). It provides information about the requirements of the program, how to apply, how to become a Delivery Organization, and how applications will be assessed.

Application toolkit

In addition to this guide, ISED is providing clarity on what Digital Skills are acceptable to help applicants prepare their Digital Skills for Youth proposal applications.

Deadline to submit applications

Applications must be submitted by May 22, 2026, by 12 noon.

E-mail: digitalskillsforyouth-competencesnumeriquespourlesjeunes@ised-isde.gc.ca

Program requirements

Digital Skills for Youth Call for Proposal applicants must meet the following program eligibility requirements to be considered for funding. Applications that do not meet all of the requirements outlined below may not be assessed.

Eligible recipients (delivery organizations)

The class of eligible initial recipients and eligible ultimate recipients are the same and are listed below:

• Not-for-profit organizations (including voluntary organizations and foundations)
• Municipal governments
• Indigenous organizations (including band councils, tribal councils, and self-government entities)
• For-Profit organizations
• Public health, educational and cultural institutions
• Provincial and territorial governments, institutions, agencies, and Crown corporations

For-profit organizations are eligible employers, if the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and supports program priorities and objectives.

Under the DS4Y program, delivery organizations must have a broad network of employers that have employment opportunities for youth interns. These employers must have legal status in Canada. For the purpose of this program, employers are SMBs with up to 500 employees. Employers under the DS4Y program are also referred to as Intern Host Organizations (IHO).

Employers must:

• have the appropriate administrative support and capacity to train and mentor the participants to enhance and maximize the participants' experience
• support the participants in the development and implementation of work activities to provide participants with a meaningful digital skills internship described in the key performance indicators

The program intention is to have representation of not-for-profit and SMBs.

Eligible participants: interns

"Eligible participant" for the purposes of the DS4Y Program means a unemployed or underemployed post-secondary graduate (not required for participants who live in Yukon, Northwest Territories or Nunavut) between the ages of 15–30 inclusive who is legally entitled to work in Canada and is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada.

Unemployed or underemployed, meaning they are employed below their level of education (for example someone with a university degree working in a area that does not require their level of education) and/or hold part-time employment.

In the north, eligible participants may be youth between 15 to 30 (inclusive) years who:

• self-assess as underemployed, meaning they are employed below their level of education and/or hold part-time employment
• are legally entitled to work in Canada (i.e. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons who have been granted refugee status)

Eligible activities

Delivery organizations/ eligible activities include:

• Engaging Canadian youth in the development and enhancement of digital skills, including upskilling in cooperation with participants and employers
• Activities designed to provide work experiences
• Activities designed to provide wrap-around services to support youth employment needs, such as mentoring and coaching
• Activities related to promoting the program and partner outreach
• Acting as the sole coordinating body to manage a network of employers for the purpose of providing them with program funding and oversight, monitoring and support, ensuring:
  • timely and accurate reporting
  • internships aligned with DS4Y goals
  • provide support to employers in hiring or retaining youth facing barriers
  • employers that provide interns with the necessary equipment, workspace, workplace related training and mentoring to fulfill their internship duties and obligations
• Developing and implementing an open, fair and transparent application process that is in accordance with their contribution agreement with ISED, to engage employers and to ensure an optimal allocation of youth participants amongst them
• Collaborating with training service providers that will deliver upskilling opportunities for participants when needed

The contribution agreement between ISED and the delivery organization will set the minimum requirements between delivery organizations and the employers.

Employers/ eligible activities include:

• Activities that allow youth to acquire new and enhance existing digital skills and apply them, so that they can successfully transition into the labour market

The duration of a work experience may vary to tailor the internship to the needs of the intern. The maximum duration for a participant is one year.

Employers will sign contractual agreements with the delivery organization to receive funding in support of intern salaries and eligible expenditures. There is no contractual relationship between ISED and the employers.

Eligible expenditures

Eligible expenditures are those incurred by the eligible applicant (i.e. delivery organization) and which are reasonable and required to carry out the eligible activities to deliver on the goals of the DS4Y program. These include the following:

Internship costs (up to a maximum of $30,000):

• Wage subsidy of up to 100% of intern salaries and Mandatory Employment Related Costs (MERCS)
• Training costs up to $4,000 per intern, inclusive of taxes
• Participant costs (such as living expenses, dependent care, scholarships/bursaries, and accommodation)
• Capital costs, including small repairs or renovations to support the participation of youth facing barriers. Capital costs for the construction of a building or the purchase of land or buildings are not eligible

Administrative costs (limited to a maximum of 15% of federal contribution):

• Overhead costs, including costs related to central administrative functions of the recipient organization that are drawn upon to support agreement activities (such as shared postage, telephones, IT maintenance and head office support)
• The costs of materials and supplies
• Staff wages, training and professional development costs
• Honoraria and hospitality costs
• Printing and communication costs
• Travel costs (need to be in accordance with the Travel Directive as developed by the National Joint Council. Incidentals are not eligible costs under the DS4Y program
• Professional fees (such as consultants, IT, technical expertise, facilitation, legal, research, audit, assessment and evaluation)

The funds distributed by the delivery organization to the employers to carry out eligible project activities are also eligible expenditures.

Ineligible expenditures

• Any costs incurred before the effective date
• The Minister will not contribute to eligible costs that are incurred between the effective date and the execution date of this agreement in an amount that is greater than 20% of the total estimated eligible costs of the project
• Any costs incurred after the project completion date
• In-kind contributions must be for goods or services. No part of contributions made under the program will be paid on in-kind eligible costs
• Salary costs for non-youth interns working within the IHO
• Salary costs for youth interns working within the recipient organization
• Equipment costs, office supplies and telecommunications fees incurred by the IHO
• Accounting and consulting fees in connection with financial reorganization, security issues, capital stock issues, obtaining of patents and licences and prosecution of claims against the Minister
• Losses on investments, bad debts, and expenses for the collection thereof
• Losses due to bankruptcy
• Losses on other agreements
• Federal and provincial corporate income taxes, excess profit taxes or surtaxes and/or special expenses in connection therewith
• Provisions for contingencies
• Provisions for life insurance on the lives of officers and/or directors where proceeds accrue to the recipient
• Amortization of unrealized appreciation of assets
• Depreciation of assets paid for by the Minister
• Interest charges due to late payments
• Fines and penalties
• Expenses and depreciation of excess facilities
• Unreasonable compensation for officers and employees
• Hospitality and entertainment expenses unless prior approval from the Minister is obtained
• Donations
• Dues, and other memberships other than regular trade and professional associations
• Fees, extraordinary or abnormal for professional advice related to administrative or accounting matters, unless prior approval from the Minister is obtained
• Lobbyist fees; and capital costs for the construction of a building or the purchase of land or buildings

Assessment criteria

Assessment of applications

Applications will be assessed against the following merit criteria:

Impact on youth and reach of the program:

• The extent to which the delivery organizations can demonstrate that they have a broad network that can create employment opportunities that enable youth to build the digital skills needed for the evolving digital economy
• The extent to which the delivery organization will ensure equitable access to internship opportunities
• The breadth and quality of the internship opportunities for training a talent pool that is adaptable and representative of Canada's diverse society

Strength of the internship plan:

• The strength of the plan and its alignment with the objectives of the DS4Y program
• The plan should clearly articulate how the delivery organization will ensure that youth have access to opportunities that allow them to acquire the digital skills, learning experiences and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment
• The plan should provide tactics for partnership engagement

Track record:

• Applicant has demonstrated experience and capacity to deliver (with regard to past experience in similar initiatives, financial situation, human resource capacity, and governance structure)
• The ability of the applicants to attract investment and partnerships with employers to enhance program breadth and reach
• The ability of the applicant to support skill development and work experience
• Demonstration of a sound and effective governance framework that reflects best practices and promotes diversity

Strength of the network:

• Demonstration of support required for success, including a broad network of SMBs and not-for-profit organizations
• Demonstration that the organization has adequate reach to engage, recruit and connect the youth to the opportunities

Merit criteria will be used to establish a priority ranking of eligible projects. Multiple recipients or a single recipient may be selected to deliver on DS4Y's program objectives across Canada.

Application form

Please ensure that all sections of the application form listed below are fully completed and that all required information is provided:

• Contact information
• Project timeline
• Project title
• Digital skills internships opportunities
• Internships program will serve
• Budget summary table
• Total project costs
• Rationale

The funding allocation is based on the number of interns that are requested:

• For each intern there is a maximum subsidy of $30,000. The $30,000 includes wages, benefits, training, other direct costs and administrative costs
• Training costs are capped at a maximum of $4,000 including taxes and are part of the $30,000 for each internship
• Administration costs are capped at a maximum of 15% also part of the $30,000 of the contribution agreement. Special exception for Delivery Organizations supporting the Northern Territories (YK, NT and NU) can request up to 25%
• For the totals under the ISED budget category, it cannot exceed ($30,000 x # of interns). Example 10 Interns x $30,000 = $300,000 all costs included is the maximum amount of funding ISED can support

Name of confirmed and prospective employers (you can add rows by pressing the plus (+)) sign:

• For this section, please list your confirmed prospective list of employers who can hire youth detailing the potential digital fields of work the youth can work in as well as potential name/title of jobs offered to youth during the DS4Y internship
• We understand that this may not be a comprehensive list; however, it will provide us with an overview of your employer network and the types of work opportunities that will be available to youth under your proposal
• Checklist of required documents
• Attestation
• Authorization (Please check the box 'I Agree'* in order to certify that the information and material that is provided on the Application form and all attached supporting documents are accurate and complete. In addition, complete name, title and date, then 'Submit' your full application package to this email address at digitalskillsforyouth-competencesnumeriquespourlesjeunes@ised-isde.gc.ca

Deadline

The Digital Skills for Youth Call for Proposals will accept applications until May 22, 2026, noon PST)

Policies and considerations

1. Conflict of interest policy framework

   Achieving the objectives of the DS4Y involves various types of interactions among stakeholders, some of which may place individuals in positions of potential, apparent or actual conflict of interest.

   The applicant must adopt a code of conduct to prevent or manage real or perceived conflicts of interest.

2. Official languages

   The applicant is required to:

   • Ensure that any communication, announcements or documents for the general public concerning activities, projects, services and programs are provided in both official languages (English and French)
   • When delivering services, programs, projects or activities to the general public, to do so in both official languages, and provide services to official language minority communities, when appropriate, in such a manner that they may participate in these services on a basis comparable to the majority language community
   • Ensure that consultations with stakeholders regarding activities, projects and programs encourage participation in both official languages, as well as representatives from official language minority communities when appropriate
   • Implement any other measures that the ISED may identify including, without limitation, the inclusion of official languages provisions in the recipient's agreements for further distribution of funding

   In addition, applicants should strive to communicate with individuals in the official language of their preference.

   Please note that all applicants based in Quebec must complete Form M-30 concerning Bill M 30, An Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif, R.S.Q., c. M-30.

   The Quebec National Assembly adopted An Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (M-30). The provisions of this Act impose certain conditions on Quebec government bodies and certain other entities wanting to contract with the federal government. You may wish to consult the provisions of M-30 on the LégisQuébec website prior to submitting your Application for Funding to ensure compliance with the Act respecting the Ministère du Conseil exécutif (M-30). Any entity that is subject to the Act is responsible for obtaining such authorization before signing any agreement with the Government of Canada

3. Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act

   The applicant is subject to the federal Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

   "The Access to Information Act, (the "Act") governs the protection and disclosure of information, confidential or otherwise, supplied to a federal government institution. This Act is a law of public order; as such the Government of Canada, including ISED, cannot contract out of it.

   Privacy and confidentiality: Any personal information collected by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, whether in print or electronic format, is protected under the Privacy Act.

   Confidential information supplied to ISED will remain confidential to the extent that the applicant protects said confidential information.

4. Gender balance

   ISED will encourage in its contribution agreement the consideration of gender balance. Therefore, with respect to activities, the applicants will be required to demonstrate on an ongoing basis how its internship selection criteria encourage inclusion and diversity.

   Prospective applicants are encouraged to develop and propose activities that make their opportunities accessible to a wide variety of audiences (e.g., technology demonstration and training).

5. Indigenous identity

   ISED will encourage in its contribution agreement the consideration of Indigenous identity. Therefore, with respect to activities, the applicants will be required to demonstrate on an ongoing basis how its internship selection criteria encourage inclusion and diversity.

6. Racial balance

   ISED will encourage in its contribution agreement the consideration of racial balance. Therefore, with respect to activities, the applicants will be required to demonstrate on an ongoing basis how its internship selection criteria encourage inclusion and diversity.

7. Persons with disability balance

   ISED will encourage in its contribution agreement the consideration of persons with disability balance. Therefore, with respect to activities, the applicants will be required to demonstrate on an ongoing basis how its internship selection criteria encourage inclusion and diversity.

   Prospective applicants are encouraged to develop and propose activities that make their opportunities accessible to a wide variety of audiences (e.g., technology demonstration and training).

8. Lobbying Act

   The applicant must comply with the Lobbying Act throughout the application process and the life of any DS4Y-funded project. Prior to communicating with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada about an application please review the provisions of the Act. For more information on lobbying and the Lobbying Act, consult the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying of Canada.

Monitoring, guidance and support: Successful delivery organizations

ISED officials will work with each successful delivery organizations for the negotiation of the contribution agreement, followed by ongoing monitoring and compliance.

As part of its administration, ISED will closely liaise with the selected/successful delivery organizations on an ongoing basis including reviewing quarterly performance reports, quarterly lists of internship host organisations ("employers)" and participant information forms to attest the beginning and the end of an internship. Regular and frequent contact will facilitate the sharing of information between both parties to the contribution agreement.