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Interested in Applying for Cohort 3 in January 2026?
The International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) is a Global Affairs Canada initiative developed to give Canadians aged 18-30, from marginalized groups that commonly face barriers to employment, the opportunity to gain international hands-on experience.
Who Is IYIP For?
Who Is IYIP For?
What do you need in order to join an IYIP Cohort? Take a look at the eligibility (must-have) and priority (preference-given) criteria below. Check your understanding of what an internship is (and is not) and how this aligns to your goals on our What Is An Internship page and try your hand at the self-assessment quizzes on our Join A Future Cohort page for a more personalized reflection.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to become an IYIP intern, you must meet the following criteria:
18-30 years old at the date of travel.
Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
Willingness to commit to a 4-month internship, including a 3-month stay in Ghana/Liberia.
In possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months at the date of travel, with no travel restrictions.
Opportunities are open to both students and community members who are not enrolled in study.
** Please note: You do not need to be a student/graduate to apply.
** Please note: You do not need to be a student/graduate to apply.
Priority Criteria
Priority Criteria
Priority will be given to applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria for equity-deserving groups:
Applicants of black African descent
Members of Indigenous communities and racialized minorities
Applicants with disabilities
Applicants from low-income backgrounds
Participants from other marginalized communities
Why Do We Give Priority To the Applicants Identified?
Why Do We Give Priority To the Applicants Identified?
The report linked to this page gives some insight. The youth identified as primary beneficiaries face significant barriers to successful access to employment and career opportunities in international development, including “barriers at the societal level such as socioeconomic status, differential access to social and financial capital, as well as systemic discrimination and implicit biases.”
(Cukier, W., Ying Mo, G., Karajovic, S., Blanchette, S., Hassannezhad, Z., Elmi, M., Higazy, A. (2023). Labour Market Implications for Racialized Youth. Diversity Institute. https://www.torontomu.ca/content/dam/diversity/reports/Di-FSC-Labour-Market-Implications-for-Racialized-Youth.pdf)
Di-FSC-Labour-Market-Implications-for-Racialized-Youth.pdfProgram Structure
Program Structure
IYIP opportunities will be awarded through 100 internships of up to 4 months in duration, 3 of which will be spent on location in either Ghana or Liberia. These placements will be facilitated across 6 cohorts, with 10-20 internships in each cohort.
IYIP opportunities will be awarded through 100 internships of up to 4 months in duration, 3 of which will be spent on location in either Ghana or Liberia. These placements will be facilitated across 6 cohorts, with 10-20 internships in each cohort.
How To Apply
How To Apply
Applications for each Cohort open roughly 3 months before travel. You can apply for Cohort 3 here.
Find out more about the application process on our Join A Future Cohort page.
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