Updated June 2026 · Verified against Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement Est. 2012
Grant Federal Active

Youth Internships in Northern Ontario — FedNor

Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)
Maximum Funding
Up to 90% of intern salary/benefits (max $35,000/year or...
Rolling applications — contact local CFDC or FedNor officer
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
90%
Youth Internships in Northern Ontario — FedNor provides Up to 90% of intern salary/benefits (max $35,000/year or $52,500 over 18 months) plus up to $5,000 for equipment/training costs per intern. Subsidizes up to 90% of an intern's annual salary and benefits (to a maximum of $35,000/year, $52,500 over 18 months) for Northern Ontario businesses and organizations that hire recent post-secondary graduates. The program covers up to 90% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

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Real recipient data

Who actually receives this funding

122 organizations received this funding in 2025 — 1,271 awards since 2015. Typical award: $163.7K. Half of all awards fall between $99.3K and $468.2K. 30% of recipients are for-profit businesses. Top sectors among classified recipients: Municipal government, Indigenous governing bodies, Ski resorts. Top provinces: Ontario 100%. Covers: FedNor REGI and Northern Ontario Development Program contributions, which include youth internships (internships are not reported separately). Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure data · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Data through Q3 2026.

The typical Youth Internships in Northern Ontario award is $163.7K — the median of 1,271 awards since 2015. In 2025, 122 organizations were funded.

122funded in 2025
$163.7Ktypical award
1,271awards since 2015
30%for-profit

Award size distribution. Half of awards fall between $99.3K and $468.2K, with a typical award of $163.7K.

Award sizes middle 50% of awards
$163.7K typical $468.2K
Top sectors Municipal governmentIndigenous governing bodiesSki resorts(of classified recipients)
Top provinces ON 100%

Named recipients

Recent recipients include Northern Ontario Angels (Sudbury, ON, 2026), Thessalon First Nation (Thessalon, ON, 2026) and Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (Sault Ste. Marie, ON, 2026).

  1. 2026Northern Ontario AngelsSudbury, ON · Business associations
  2. 2026Thessalon First NationThessalon, ON · Indigenous governing bodies
  3. 2026Sault Ste. Marie Innovation CentreSault Ste. Marie, ON · Crop production
  4. 2026Nord-Aski Regional Economic Development CorporationHearst, ON · Municipal government
  5. 2026Economic Partners-Sudbury East/West Nipissing Inc. / Partenaires dans l’Économie Sudbury-Est / Nipissing-OuestSturgeon Falls, ON · Municipal government
  6. 2026Township of Terrace BayTerrace Bay, ON · Municipal government
  7. 2026MoCreebec EeyoudMoose Factory, ON · Real estate and rental
  8. 2026Curl SudburySudbury, ON · Amusement and recreation
  9. 2026Chukuni Communities Development CorporationRed Lake, ON · Municipal government
  10. 2026Northwestern Ontario Innovation CentreThunder Bay, ON · Machinery manufacturing
Show 29 more recipients
  1. 2026Wahkohtowin Development GP IncChapleau, ON · Management consulting
  2. 2026Discovery North Bay MuseumNorth Bay, ON · Heritage institutions
  3. 2026Peninsula Harbour Port Authority Inc.Marathon, ON · Heavy and civil engineering
  4. 2026Northern Ontario School of MedicineThunder Bay, ON · Educational services
  5. 2026Constance Lake First NationConstance Lake, ON · Indigenous public admin
  6. 2026Thunder Bay Community Economic Development CommissionThunder Bay, ON · Administrative management consulting
  7. 2026Tourism Sault Ste. MarieSault Ste. Marie, ON · Municipal government
  8. 2026Northern College of Applied Arts and TechnologySouth Porcupine, ON · Junior colleges
  9. 2025Keystone Granite Management Ltd.Dwight, ON · Machinery, equipment wholesale
  10. 2025Whitefish River First NationBirch Island, ON · Other amusement and recreation
  11. 2025The Corporation of the Township of SeguinSeguin, ON · Municipal government
  12. 2025Municipality of KillarneyKillarney, ON · Traveller accommodation
  13. 2025Temagami First NationBear Island, ON · Indigenous public admin
  14. 2025Muskoka Rock Company Ltd.Huntsville, ON · Machinery, equipment wholesale
  15. 2025The Walden Cross Country Fitness ClubNaughton, ON · Amusement and recreation
  16. 2025Regional Tourism Organization 12 Parry Sound / MuskokaBracebridge, ON · Business associations
  17. 2025Rainy River Future Development CorporationFort Frances, ON · Other professional services
  18. 2025The Corporation of the Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor FallsSioux Narrows, ON · Administrative management consulting
  19. 2025Paro Centre for Women's EnterpriseThunder Bay, ON · Other business support services
  20. 2025Atikokan Economic Development CorporationAtikokan, ON · Administrative and support
  21. 2025Kap Paper Inc.Kapuskasing, ON · Manufacturing
  22. 2025Kapuskasing Paper MillKapuskasing, ON · Manufacturing
  23. 2025Kivi ParkSudbury, ON · Amusement and recreation
  24. 2025Double Ridge Farm Inc.New Liskeard, ON · Food manufacturing
  25. 2025Science NorthSudbury, ON · Other amusement and recreation
  26. 2025Town of MoosoneeMoosonee, ON · Management consulting
  27. 2025The Corporation of the Township of Pickle LakePickle Lake, ON · Administrative management consulting
  28. 2025The Corporation of the City of North BayNorth Bay, ON · Municipal government
  29. 2021IISD Experimental Lakes Area Inc.Winnipeg, MB · R&D in natural sciences
See how much each recipient received, and how each award compares to the typical one. Included in Premium ↓

Source: Government of Canada proactive disclosure

See all Youth Internships in Northern Ontario winners →

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Subsidizes up to 90% of an intern's annual salary and benefits (to a maximum of $35,000/year, $52,500 over 18 months) for Northern Ontario businesses and organizations that hire recent post-secondary graduates. For-profit businesses access the program through Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in their region. The program targets unemployed or underemployed youth (age 30 and under) who have graduated within the past three years, giving businesses a near-full wage subsidy to bring on skilled graduates they couldn't otherwise afford.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Organization must be located in Northern Ontario — FedNor's designated service area, comprising the districts of Algoma, Cochrane, Kenora, Manitoulin, Muskoka, Nipissing, Parry Sound, Rainy River, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Timiskaming, plus the City of Greater Sudbury
  • For-profit businesses must apply through a Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC)
  • Intern must be 30 years of age or under at time of hire
  • Intern must have graduated from a post-secondary institution within the last three years
  • Intern must be unemployed or underemployed
  • Intern must be legally authorized to work in Canada
  • Intern cannot have a family relationship with organizational leadership
  • Intern must not have previously participated as a youth intern in FedNor's programmes, or in any other FEDERAL or PROVINCIAL paid internship programme, for six months or more
  • Project must align with one of the Government of Canada's seven Economic Strategy Tables
  • Eligible organizations: not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous (First Nation/Métis/Inuit) communities and organizations, municipalities and municipal organizations. For-profit businesses must apply through Community Futures Development Corporations (not directly). No minimum employees or revenue. Youth interns must be: aged 30 or under, unemployed or underemployed, graduated within last 3 years from recognized post-secondary institution, no prior federal/provincial paid internship of 6+ months. Youth intern cannot be related to organizational directors/officers/managers. Internship work cannot displace current staff or involve routine administrative/operational duties. Budget is limited — program advises contacting a FedNor officer before applying.
  • FedNor also requires for all youth internships: both the organization AND the youth intern must be physically located in Northern Ontario; a work plan and mentoring/supervisory arrangement; demonstrated networking opportunities for the intern; a post-internship retention plan; endorsement by an appropriate or regulatory body including union concurrence where applicable; and a fair and transparent recruitment, interview and hiring process.
  • Also ineligible: fundraising and lobbying activities; activities primarily related to social, cultural or recreational goals; and activities that do not comply with all applicable labour union agreements.
Provinces
Ontario
Industries
Technology Manufacturing Agriculture Tourism Clean Technology Healthcare +2 more
Business Stage
Startup Growth Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Moderate
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to 90% of intern salary/benefits (max $35,000/year or $52,500 over 18 months) plus up to $5,000 for equipment/training costs per intern
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 90% of eligible costs
Deadline
Rolling applications — contact local CFDC or FedNor officer

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Moderate
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
5/5

Very accessible — simple application

Competition
3/5

Moderate competition — prepare a strong application

Difficulty
3/5

Moderate — standard requirements

Approval Rate
Processing Time
Budget Trend
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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

For-profit businesses must go through their regional CFDC — they cannot apply directly to FedNor.

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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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How Youth Internships in Northern Ontario — Fe... judges your application

What the reviewer scores, what gets applications rejected, and what to write.

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Written answers15≈1.5k words from the funder’s limits
Judged on5 criteria
Can reject you19 rules
To attach1 document

Distilled from 6+ source documents on fednor.canada.ca, condensed into one brief. Sources as of 2026-09-11.

6 of the sources

What Youth Internships in Northern Ontario — Fe... favours

Write for a reader who knows nothing about you◦

“Assume that the reader has no knowledge of your project, even if you have discussed the project with a FedNor Officer.”

2 more, in their words

The form2 prompts shown

Organization1 section
  1. 1Organizationyes/no + writtenno limit

    On this page, you are presented with your registered organization’s legal name, business number, business type, and business and mailing addresses. If the information presented is not correct, select “No” under the confirmation message.

Profile8 sections · ≈350 words
  1. 2Total number of employeesshort answerno limit
  2. 3Total number of full-time employeesshort answerno limit
  3. 4Total number of part-time and seasonal employeesshort answerno limit
  4. 5majority-owned (for-profit organizations only)checkboxesno limit
  5. 6majority-led (not-for-profit organizations only)checkboxesno limit
  6. 7Official language(s) of serviceselectionno limit
  7. 8Brief description of your organizationwritten answer · 1,000 characters

    * Provide a brief description of your organization, or, review and update the existing description, if applicable. Include details on the mandate, ownership/governance, products/services and key activities (max. of 1,000 characters). Provide a description of your organization that is sufficient for someone unfamiliar with your organization to understand what you do and how you operate.

  8. 9Brief history of your organizationwritten answer · 1,000 characters
Contact1 section
  1. 10Contacttableno limit
Project9 sections · ≈600 words
  1. 11Project titleshort answer · 250 characters
  2. 12Primary location of the projectshort answerno limit
  3. 13Region or geographic area (multiple locations)short answer · 250 characters
  4. 14Description of the project and key activitieswritten answer · 2,000 characters
  5. 15Estimated project start dateshort answerno limit
  6. 16Estimated project end dateshort answerno limit
  7. 17Economic benefits associated with this projectwritten answer · 1,000 characters
  8. 18Number of jobs created (full-time equivalents)tableno limit
  9. 19Number of jobs maintained (full-time equivalents)tableno limit
Youth internship8 sections · ≈600 words
  1. 20The intern will be physically located and working in Northern Ontarioyes/no + writtenno limit
  2. 21The internship will be a new position within your organizationyes/no + writtenno limit
  3. 22Union concurrenceselectionno limit
  4. 23Fair and transparent hiring processyes/no + writtenno limit
  5. 24Describe the proposed hiring processwritten answer · 1,000 characters
  6. 25Detailed job descriptionwritten answer · 2,000 characters
  7. 26Supervisor/mentor role and qualificationswritten answer · 500 characters
  8. 27Post-project retention or networking supportyes/no + writtenno limit
Costs and funding8 sections · ≈50 words
  1. 28Cost descriptiontableno limit
  2. 29Cost amounttableno limit
  3. 30Costs or legal commitments incurred prior to approvalyes/no + writtenno limit
  4. 31Details of incurred or planned costs or legal commitmentswritten answer · 250 characters
  5. 32Project funding sourcestableno limit
  6. 33Funding source detailswritten answerno limit
  7. 34Amount ($)short answerno limit
  8. 35Confirmedselectionno limit
Attachments2 sections
  1. 36Document typetableno limit
  2. 37Descriptionshort answerno limit
Review and certification2 sections
  1. 38Reviewcheckboxno limit
  2. 39Certificationcheckboxesno limit

bar = length the funder allows, from its stated limits

37 more prompts, in the funder’s words

Judged against4 questions · 5 criteria

  1. 1

    Does the project qualify and fit priorities?

    Show them Describe the project concretely, name the economic strategy table it relates to, and quantify the economic benefits in numbers.◦

    In the funder’s words · 1
    • This information is used to assess project eligibility and alignment with funding priorities, so be as detailed and specific as possible.
  2. 2

    Does the money add up?

    What to show, and the funder’s 1 criterion behind it in Premium

  3. 3

    Can this organisation deliver the internship?

    What to show, and the funder’s 2 criteria behind it in Premium

  4. 4

    Is there still budget for this?

    What to show, and the funder’s 1 criterion behind it in Premium

Where applicants failin Youth Internships in Northern Ontario — Fe...’s words

“The program currently has limited budget availability due to a high demand.”
“Completing an application does not guarantee funding approval.”
“If the project would not move forward without FedNor support, it is recommended that you select a date at least four months into the future to allow time for completion of the Detailed Application (if applicable), due diligence, and decision-making in line with FedNor’s service standards.”

5 more, in the funder’s words

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See all 19 rules that can reject you and every criterion you are judged on. Then we draft your application for you.

11 more rules that can reject you · 4 more criteria · 37 more prompts

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Do you pass?19 checks

Each one can rule you out. Tick the ones you meet.

You

  • Not-for-profit, Indigenous or municipal

    Eligible applicants include: Not-for-profit organizations; Indigenous (First Nation/Métis/Inuit) communities and organizations; and Municipalities and municipal organizations.

Your business

  • Not a for-profit business

    For-Profit Youth Internships are currently being administered by the Community Futures Development Corporations in Northern Ontario.

Your organisation

  • Endorsement and union concurrence

    Endorsement by an appropriate or regulatory body, including union concurrence, where applicable;

  • Fair and transparent hiring process

    A fair and transparent recruitment, interview and hiring process.

The project

  • Not fundraising or lobbying

    Fundraising and lobbying

  • Work plan and mentoring arrangement

    A work plan and mentoring/supervisory arrangement;

  • Post-internship retention plan

    Post-internship retention plan;

The trainee

  • Networking opportunities for the intern

    Demonstrated networking opportunities for the intern;

11 more checks

3 things this funder says you do NOT need, in Premium.

Documents to attach1

Ticks are kept on this device.

The money

Salary and benefitsUp to 90%, max $35,000/year

FedNor may contribute up to 90 percent to a maximum contribution of $35,000 annually toward the eligible costs of salary and employee benefit expenses in a full-time position for the internship period for up to 18 months (for a maximum contribution of up to $52,500 towards the salary and benefits of the intern).

Equipment and trainingUp to 90%, max $5,000

FedNor may also contribute up to 90 percent to a maximum contribution of $5,000 toward eligible ancillary costs such as equipment and training (for a total contribution of up to $57,500 towards the salary, benefits, and ancillary costs of the intern).

Reimbursement basisReimbursement of incurred costs

For the majority of recipients, FedNor reimburses eligible project costs that the recipient has incurred, in line with their signed contribution agreements.

Your shareUp to 90% for both cost types

Up to 90 percent from FedNor for both salary/benefits and ancillary costs

What it pays for · 2
  • FedNor may contribute up to 90 percent to a maximum contribution of $35,000 annually toward the eligible costs of salary and employee benefit expenses in a full-time position for the internship period for up to 18 months (for a maximum contribution of up to $52,500 towards the salary and benefits of the intern).
  • FedNor may also contribute up to 90 percent to a maximum contribution of $5,000 toward eligible ancillary costs such as equipment and training (for a total contribution of up to $57,500 towards the salary, benefits, and ancillary costs of the intern).
What it does not pay for · 1
  • any refundable portion of HST for your organization is ineligible for support and should not be included in your project budget

From application to money

  1. Call a FedNor officerDiscuss project with officer first
  2. Submit in the FedNor PortalComplete nine stages and submit
  3. Decision on your applicationeighty (80) working daysAcknowledgement in 3 days; decision in 80
  4. Sign contribution agreementSigned agreement unlocks portal project
  5. Start the internshipChoose start date four months out
  6. Claims and reportsSubmit claim with Payment Workbook
In the funder’s words · 6
Call a FedNor officer
You are strongly encouraged to discuss your proposed project with your local FedNor Officer prior to submitting a funding application.
Submit in the FedNor Portal
Work the nine stages from Organization through Certification and submit the Youth internship application.
Decision on your application
Acknowledgement of receipt comes within three (3) working days of receiving a signed funding application.
Sign contribution agreement
Once an application has been approved for funding and a Contribution Agreement has been signed by both parties, the project will be available in the Projects section of the FedNor Portal.
Start the internship
If the project would not move forward without FedNor support, it is recommended that you select a date at least four months into the future to allow time for completion of the Detailed Application (if applicable), due diligence, and decision-making in line with FedNor’s service standards.
Claims and reports
A claim/advance request cannot be submitted without an attached Payment Workbook.

Quoted lines are word for word from the source documents; lines marked ◦ are our reading of them.

What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win Youth Internships in Northern Ontario — Fe...

Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

Premium 5 steps 6 docs

Application Steps

1 Contact FedNor or local CFDC Call FedNor at 1-877-333-6673 or contact your regional Community Futures Development Corporation to discuss your internship project before applying. For-profit businesses must apply through a CFDC.

Required Documents 6

✓ Completed application form (via FedNor client portal or CFDC)
✓ Business/organization profile and registration documents

Eligible Expenses 4

Ineligible Expenses 5

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit Canada Summer Jobs Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

Premium See which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get.

How Youth Internships in Northern Ontario — Fe... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Youth Internships in Northern Ontario... up to $5,000 Moderate Reimbursement Rolling applications —...
Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Cr... 25–30% Easy Tax Credit Offset Ongoing — claimed...
Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... Minimum $10 million contribution Hard Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Ongoing — continuous...
CanExport SMEs Up to $50,000 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Between intakes — the...
Innovative Solutions Canada up to $150,000 Hard Milestone-Based Challenge-specific — new...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Youth Internships in Northern Ontario — Fe...

Free
Can sole proprietors apply directly?
No — sole proprietors must apply through a Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) in their region. FedNor does not accept direct applications from sole proprietors.
What's the realistic subsidy amount?
Typical subsidy: $27,000–$31,500 per intern over 12 months (90% of $30,000–$35,000 salary). Maximum total cost including equipment: $57,500 for 18 months.
Do I need to pre-consult FedNor?
Yes — FedNor strongly recommends contacting a local CFDC or FedNor officer before applying due to limited budget and high demand.
Why do applications get rejected?
Common rejections: intern over 30, graduate more than 3 years old, project not aligned with Economic Strategy Tables, or for-profit business applying directly (not through CFDC).
Can I stack with other grants?
Only Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit (if intern is on co-op). Canada Summer Jobs and Apprenticeship Incentive Grant are not stackable.

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