Hiring young talent in environmental and STEM roles is expensive. This is especially true for small and mid-sized organizations. The Science Horizons Youth Internship (SHI) program helps cover much of those costs by funding a large share of wages. However, both your organization and your hire must meet specific eligibility rules. If you are unsure whether your interns or recent graduates qualify, this guide will help you decide before you apply.
Science Horizons eligibility is strict. The program supports paid internships for youth graduates, not casual student roles or ongoing staff.
To qualify under Science Horizons Youth Internship, the person you hire must meet all of the following criteria at the start of the internship:
If your candidate is still enrolled in school, they do not qualify. Science Horizons is for graduates only, not current students.
Many types of organizations can apply. You must be able to support a real internship experience.
Eligible employers include:
Employers must also:
Internships funded through another federal program cannot be double-funded. This is one of the most common Science Horizons eligibility mistakes.
Under the Science Horizons Youth Internship program, employers can receive:
In some cases, extra funding may be available for training or for hiring youth from underrepresented groups. This depends on intake and funding availability.
GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter wage subsidy programs by age, role type, and province. This is especially useful if Science Horizons does not fit your situation.
Applying for Science Horizons involves several steps. Make sure you have all your documents ready before starting.
Careful preparation increases your chances of success. If you need help, GrantHub offers resources to guide Canadian employers through the process.
Here is how Science Horizons eligibility applies in real situations:
If your role looks more like summer student employment, you may want to explore alternatives such as How to fund summer student hires and youth employment programs in Canada.
Science Horizons is not a student program. If the individual has not graduated, your application will be rejected.
The intern must be new to your organization. Even casual or contract work can make them ineligible.
You cannot stack Science Horizons with another federal wage subsidy for the same role.
The position must clearly relate to environmental or green economy STEM work. Vague job descriptions are a red flag.
(See also: Common Mistakes Employers Make When Applying for Wage Subsidy Grants)
Q: Does Science Horizons cover interns who graduated outside Canada?
Yes. International graduates are eligible if they are legally entitled to work in Canada and meet all other criteria.
Q: Can I apply if my intern is 30 during the internship?
Yes. The intern must be 30 or under at the start date of the internship.
Q: Is Science Horizons first come, first served?
Yes. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis until available funds are exhausted. Early submission improves your chances.
Q: Are Science Horizons funds taxable?
Yes. The funding is considered government assistance and must be reported accordingly in your financial records.
Q: Can non-profits and Indigenous organizations apply?
Yes. Non-profits, Indigenous organizations, and public institutions are all eligible employers.
If your intern is a recent graduate under 30 and your role is tied to environmental STEM, Science Horizons eligibility is likely within reach. Confirm all details before you apply—age, graduate status, hours, and funding overlap.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and wage subsidy programs across Canada. You can quickly see which ones match your hiring plans, industry, and province.
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