13 youth grant programs for Ontario employers and young entrepreneurs. Canada Summer Jobs, Futurpreneur, Digital Skills for Youth, and more — covering hiring subsidies, co-op placements, and young founder financing.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to 100% wage subsidy (minimum wage)
Provides wage subsidies to help Ontario employers create summer job opportunities for youth (students aged 15–30) returning to school in the fall. Non-profit employers can receive 100% of the minimum hourly wage; small businesses and public-sector employers receive 50%.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $25,000
Helps Ontario employers create quality work experiences for youth facing barriers to employment, including wage support and training costs. Applied through program delivery organizations in Ontario.
Organization: Futurpreneur Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $75,000 (loan + BDC co-loan)
Provides startup financing of up to $20,000 plus a BDC co-loan of up to $55,000 for Canadian entrepreneurs aged 18–39. Includes up to two years of structured mentorship from an experienced business professional. Ontario is the most active province for Futurpreneur applications.
Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $15,000 per intern (wage subsidy)
Provides wage subsidies for Ontario employers who hire underemployed post-secondary graduates (under 30) into digital internships. The intern gains real-world digital skills; the employer covers only a portion of wages. Delivered through intermediary organizations.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $7,000 per placement
Supports work-integrated learning for post-secondary students by providing wage subsidies to Ontario employers who create co-op placements in STEM and business fields. Delivered through recognized post-secondary institutions and partner organizations.
Organization: Mitacs
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $15,000 per internship (matched)
Connects Ontario companies with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for R&D internships. Mitacs and the employer share costs equally, making high-calibre research talent accessible to SMEs. Strong presence in Ontario's Toronto-Waterloo corridor.
Organization: Government of Ontario (via SBECs)
Level: provincial
Amount: Up to $5,000
Ontario's Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBECs) deliver this provincial micro-grant for new and early-stage entrepreneurs. No age requirement — open to any age. Includes business training and mentorship. Find your nearest SBEC at ontario.ca/sbec.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $5 million (organization level)
Supports training and skills development for green economy jobs, with a strong emphasis on creating opportunities for youth and equity-deserving groups in clean technology and environmental sectors in Ontario.
Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $200,000 per year (50% of costs)
Supports under-represented groups in agriculture — including youth — to develop skills, gain knowledge, and grow their businesses. Relevant to Ontario youth pursuing careers in farming, agri-food, and food processing.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $5 million (organization level)
Funds organizations to deliver foundational and transferable skills training (literacy, numeracy, digital literacy, communication) for Canadians — including youth entering the workforce for the first time in Ontario.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports skills development and employment training for Indigenous youth and adults through funding agreements with Indigenous service delivery organizations across Ontario. Includes culturally appropriate training pathways.
Organization: Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund
Level: private
Amount: Up to $99,999 (individuals)
Provides non-repayable contributions and loans to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario — including young founders — for start-up, expansion, marketing, and technology adoption. Strong support for First Nations and Metis youth entrepreneurs.
Organization: City of Ottawa
Level: municipal
Amount: $5,000 – $50,000
Supports Ottawa-area non-profits running projects that help youth, newcomers, and persons with disabilities overcome barriers to employment and entrepreneurship. Relevant to youth-serving organizations in the Ottawa region.
Ontario youth grants serve two very different users: employers hiring young people and young entrepreneurs starting or growing a business. The right program depends entirely on which side of the equation you're on.
If you're an employer hiring summer students: Canada Summer Jobs is the go-to program. Applications open each fall for the following summer — non-profit employers can receive up to 100% of minimum wage; private-sector employers receive 50%. Set a reminder for October each year.
If you're hiring a recent grad into a digital role: Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) provides wage subsidies of up to $15,000 for 6-month digital internships. The process is indirect — you apply through a DS4Y delivery partner, not ESDC directly. Eligible roles include digital marketing, software development, data analysis, and e-commerce.
If you're a young entrepreneur aged 18–39: Futurpreneur Canada is the flagship program. It offers up to $75,000 in combined financing with two years of mentorship. Ontario is Futurpreneur's most active market, with advisors in every major city. For small amounts without an age cap, Starter Company Plus (up to $5,000) through your local SBEC is faster and easier to access.
If you need a post-secondary student for R&D work: Mitacs Accelerate covers up to $15,000 per internship on a cost-sharing basis with Ontario universities and colleges. It's the strongest option for tech-intensive roles requiring graduate-level research skills.
| Program | Amount | Best For | Who Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Summer Jobs | Up to 100% wage | Summer student hires | Employer |
| Futurpreneur | Up to $75,000 | Young founders (18–39) | Young entrepreneur |
| Digital Skills for Youth | Up to $15,000 | Digital intern hire | Employer (via partner) |
| Mitacs Accelerate | Up to $15,000 | R&D with grad student | Employer + university |
| Starter Company Plus | Up to $5,000 | Early-stage founders | Entrepreneur (via SBEC) |
Ontario businesses can access the full suite of federal programs plus Ontario-specific options. The strongest federal programs are Canada Summer Jobs (100% wage subsidy for non-profits), Youth Employment and Skills Program (up to $25,000), Futurpreneur (up to $75,000 for ages 18–39), and Digital Skills for Youth (up to $15,000 per digital intern). Ontario-specific options include Starter Company Plus (up to $5,000 through local SBECs) and the NADF Business Financing Program for Indigenous youth in Northern Ontario.
Yes. A common combination: Canada Summer Jobs covers the student's summer wages, then the Canada-Ontario Job Grant covers the cost of sending that same student to a third-party training course in the fall. SWILP (co-op wage subsidies) can also be stacked with COJG for training costs. Always disclose all government funding sources in your application and confirm stacking rules with each program officer.
Canada Summer Jobs applications typically open in mid-October for the following summer employment period (May–August). Applications are submitted online through the Canada.ca Grants and Contributions Online Services portal. Ontario employers should apply as early as possible — popular regions and sectors fill quickly. Successful applicants are notified in March or April before the employment season begins.
Yes. The Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund provides up to $99,999 in non-repayable funding for Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario, with a strong track record of supporting young First Nations and Metis founders. The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program funds culturally appropriate training across all regions of Ontario. Futurpreneur also has Indigenous-specific outreach through its national network.
The definition varies by program. Canada Summer Jobs defines youth as 15–30 years old. The Youth Employment and Skills Program uses 15–30. Futurpreneur requires applicants to be 18–39. Digital Skills for Youth targets post-secondary graduates under 30. For Starter Company Plus, there is no upper age limit — it is available to entrepreneurs of all ages. When in doubt, check the specific eligibility criteria of the program you're applying to.
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