Northern Ontario Development Program
Instructions For Youth Internship Applicants

Note: Applicants seeking support for any project other than a youth internship should consult the Instructions for Applicants.

IMPORTANT: Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their proposal with a FedNor officer serving their area prior to completing an application.

Application Process – Youth Internships

Before completing your application, carefully review the Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP) Guidelines to ensure your organization is an eligible recipient and the proposed activities of your youth internship project fit within the objectives and criteria of the respective NODP priority for which you are applying. FedNor currently has three NODP priorities: Community Economic Development, Business Growth and Competitiveness, and Innovation.

To apply for support for a youth internship project under FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), applicants must:

In addition to this, the following is required for all youth internship applications:

  • A Youth Internship Work Plan and mentoring/supervisory arrangement;
  • Demonstrated networking opportunities for the intern;
  • Post-internship retention plan; and
  • Endorsement by an appropriate or regulatory body, including union concurrence, where applicable; and
  • A fair and transparent recruitment, interview and hiring process.

Applicants must provide a brief summary of how their proposed project will result in the following outcomes, based on the selected priority area under which they are applying:

Community Economic Development:

  • Increased community mobilization to identify and prioritize viable economic opportunities through enhanced decision-making and planning;
  • Strengthened community economic competitiveness through implementation of identified priorities to diversify and stimulate business investment and growth in the short to medium-term (up to five years);
  • Enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to achieve shared regional economic development goals in the short- to medium-term (up to five years).

Business Growth and Competitiveness:

  • Enhanced productivity, competitiveness and business management capacity;
  • Improved trade and export performance and supply chain integration in the short-to medium-term (up to five years);
  • Enhanced level of investment from outside the region that increases the number of enterprises established and/or expanded in Northern Ontario;
  • Diversified traditional industries and emerging sectors producing more value-added and knowledge-based products and services.

Innovation:

  • Strengthened or new alliances and clusters among businesses, research institutions and innovation centres to commercialize applied research and development in the short- to medium-term (up to five years);
  • Increased number of businesses in Northern Ontario engaged in the applied research and innovation process;
  • Increased number of value-added products, processes or services developed and commercialized to enhance productivity and competitiveness in key sectors in Northern Ontario.

Funding Conditions: 

Not-For-Profit Applicants: FedNor may contribute up to the lesser of $31,500 or 90 percent toward employee salary and benefits.

Private Sector Applicants: FedNor may contribute up to the lesser of $31,500 or 50 percent toward employee salary, benefits, and professional/business skills development and associated travel costs.

The salary for intern and employee benefits are eligible costs while there is an Employer-Employee Relationship. Such relationship exists when there is a verbal or written agreement in which an employee agrees to work on a full-time basis for an employer for a specified period of time, in return for salary or wages.

Eligible Youth Internship Criteria

  • Unemployed or underemployed (persons under the age of 30);
  • Have graduated within the last three (3 years) with a degree, diploma or certificate from a recognized post-secondary institution;
  • Legally entitled to work in Canada;
  • Have not previously participated as a youth intern in FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program or in any other federal or provincial internship program with pay for a period of six (6) months or more; and
  • Not related to the directors, officers or managers of the organization.

Evaluation

Applications will be evaluated on their ability to support the objectives of FedNor’s priorities and meet the following criteria:

  • Applicant can demonstrate it has an established track record in the delivery of projects;
  • Applicant has the management, technical, program development and other expertise and resources required to complete the proposed project;
  • Applicants applying on behalf of a sector or industry represent the key project stakeholders;
  • Applicants have established a clearly articulated project governance structure and decision-making process;
  • The project addresses a need identified by end users and will not duplicate existing efforts or projects;
  • Accountability mechanisms are in place to ensure due diligence in administering public funds and the ability to report on performance measures; and
  • Identification of a person and position responsible for project delivery and management along with key officers of the organization who have signing authority.

Furthermore, applications must clearly demonstrate how the proposed project will result in net economic benefits to Northern Ontario, namely short- to medium‑term measurable results leading to the economic development and growth of Northern Ontario communities and businesses.

Reporting Requirements

Funding recipients will be required to report to FedNor on project expenditures and activities, the results/outcomes of the project, and achievement of performance indicators associated with FedNor’s three priorities as identified in the contribution agreement.

Other Considerations

Recruitment advertisements related to the project follow the standard layout and feature the required text as described in FedNor’s Youth Internship Advertising Template.

All projects must comply with the Official Languages Act, specifically where a project involves services to or activities with the public. The Official Languages Checklist on FedNor’s website will assist you in understanding your obligations under the Act.

FedNor requires that all projects conform to the guidelines set out in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). For details of CEAA requirements please visit: www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Applicants cannot presume that financial support will be provided toward their project until written approval is obtained through a signed contribution agreement.

Applicants will receive written or electronic confirmation that their Youth Internship Application has been received. FedNor may contact applicants for additional information or further detail as a review of the information is undertaken.

The results of the FedNor’s review will be communicated to applicants in writing.

Youth Internship Applications are available online and can be completed and sent to the FedNor office nearest you.

Contact Us

For more information on FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program and other services, please contact your local FedNor Officer or call us toll-free at 1-877-333-6673.