The International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) is a unique collaboration between McMaster University (Office of the International Affairs, Student Success Centre, Black Student Success Centre, and the African-Caribbean Faculty Association of McMaster), Empowerment Squared, and Schools of Dreams. Funded by Global Affairs Canada, this exciting, culturally immersive international internship program offers a four-month, funded internship in Liberia and Ghana for 100 individuals, divided into six cohorts. Participants gain professional skills and global perspectives and engage in community-driven projects.

Eligibility Requirements

• 18-30 years old at the date of travel (September 2025).
• Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
• Have a passport with at least 6 months’ validity at the date of travel.
• Willing to commit to a 4-month program, including a 3-month stay in the destination country.

Applications are now open! Applications for Cohort 4 will be accepted from Thursday October 16 until January 23, 2026, however you will be able to apply for future cohorts on an ongoing basis.

To learn more, visit the Empowerment Squared page.

Mitacs Accelerate creates dynamic collaborations that partner for-profit and not-for-profit organizations with Canada’s brightest academic minds. This research award provides leveraged funding of $15,000 CAD per four- or six-month internship, where interns will work collaboratively with their academic supervisor and partner organization on a research project.

To learn more, visit the Mitacs page.

Contact bd@mitacs.ca