Important notice: The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program has new additional openings for the 2025-2026 year and is now accepting application submissions.
The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program is an employer support program that helps post-secondary graduates acquire hands-on work experience and mentorship in an environment-related STEM field.
The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program gives employers the freedom to:
- Gain access to funds to hire scientific and technical staff with less financial risk
- Grow their business
- Hire talent eager to utilize their skills
- Develop new talent within their company
Long success record
BioTalent Canada has a long track record of managing successful federal employer support programs, helping new talent gain employment in biotech and assisting companies in offsetting the costs of hiring.
For stories and more details on the success of BioTalent Canada employer support programs please see our latest report Growing the bio-economy: youth in focus. Additional reports can be found here.
“This was a great place to land right out of school Having a year-long contract gave me time to settle in and find my role so I could really contribute.” – Juno Garrah
Program Description
The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program covers the cost of a participant’s salary by 80% up to a maximum of $25,000. The program helps bio-economy employers hire the talent they need and help graduates gain skills to secure full-time employment in environmental fields.
In addition to the paid internship contribution, employers may be eligible up to a maximum of $5,000 for training, skills development, and/or wrap-around services; please contact Jennifer Ash, Project Manager, for more details at [email protected].
Pre-approval to be sent to Jennifer before submitting for re-imbursement. Employers will be required to fill out and submit a specific claim form with supporting documentation.
Please note: Employer matching services are not provided through BioTalent Canada’s Science Horizons Youth Internship Program. Youth interested in participating in the program must find a placement before the application process starts. For more information on employers who are currently hiring, please visit the national job board The PetriDish.
Eligibility
Participants must:
- be new (not yet employed) to the organization applying for funding;
- be aged 30 or under at the beginning of the internship;
- be a graduate from a post-secondary institution (does not have to be a STEM grad) – Canadian or International
- a Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons who have been granted refugee status in Canada;
- be legally entitled to work in Canada according to the relevant provincial and Canadian legislation and regulations; and
- not be in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits at the start of the internship.
- agree with in person and virtual midpoints
- have not participated in any of The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Programs targeted at post-secondary graduates.
Guidance for self-identification on the application can be found in this FAQ document.
Please also see the Participant information page for participant eligibility.
The internship must:
- be conducted with a bio-economy organization or environmental organization.
- be in an environment-related STEM field.
- be a minimum of 30 hours per week with a required duration between 4-12 months;
- establish and maintain a process for supervising and mentoring an intern;
- have the employer contribute at minimum 20% of the total cost of the paid internship (not including wrap-around services)
- provide a work environment that is safe, respectful, inclusive, free of harassment, abuse, and discrimination and is in compliance with all applicable laws;
- not be funded by another federally-funded program like IRAP, Mitacs, etc.;
- see the participant added to the employer’s payroll which includes Federal/Provincial tax deductions (CPP, EI, etc.); and
- meet one of the following additional requirements:
- The work experience offers skills development and training opportunities
- The work experience is related to the interests and pursuits of youth
- The work experience offers a salary that is above the minimum wage
- The work experience offers opportunities for advancement
Eligible employers under the Science Horizons program include:
- Individuals;
- For-profit organizations (small- or medium-sized enterprises, corporations, or industry associations);
- Provincial and territorial, municipal and local governments including institutions, agencies and Crown Corporations;
- Post-secondary institutions; and,
- Organization, including but not limited to non-government organizations, including non-profit organizations, Indigenous organizations, including band councils/tribal councils and local organizations.
All applications to the Science Horizons program will be reviewed. Priority will be given to applications from employer who have not previously participated in the Science Horizons program and to those who are hiring from underrepresented talent groups.
How to Apply
Click on the “Apply Now” button below to access and complete the forms. Please follow the steps outlined in the Application Instructions document and submit all fully completed forms and necessary supporting documentation as required.
Please note that program placements must start no later than December 1, 2025.
The application review process can take up to 40 business days.
Uncertain if you qualify? Don’t count yourself out.
Contact Colleen at 1-866-243-2472, ext. 218 or [email protected].
This project was undertaken with the financial support of: 
