After you apply
This section outlines the key steps and timelines after an application has been submitted, including when you can expect a funding decision, and your next steps and responsibilities.
You can find a summary of the key steps on the Canada Summer Jobs project overview page.
On this page
- How funding is decided
- When you will get a funding decision
- What happens after an application is approved
- What happens if an application is not approved
How funding is decided
Once all eligible applications are reviewed:
- we score and rank them within each constituency
- a list of recommended projects is created based on these scores
- each member of Parliament (MP) receives the list of eligible projects for their constituency and can give feedback based on local needs and priorities
- funds are then allocated to successful applicants based on the results of our assessment of applications, and feedback from MPs
When you will get a funding decision
We will start letting applicants know the status of their application in April 2026, and continue through the summer. You will receive an email confirming whether your application is eligible and if it will receive funding. Funding is limited, so not all applications will be approved. Each year, we receive more applications than we can fund. Even if your project is eligible, it may:
- not be selected for funding
- receive less funding than requested
- receive less funding than in previous years
- be approved for fewer weeks than requested
To support quality jobs, we aim to fund positions that last about 8 weeks and offer 35 hours per week.
Before your project starts
You cannot be reimbursed for any activities that happen before your project is officially approved and a signed agreement is in place between your organization and Service Canada.
Submitting an application does not mean your project is approved. You must wait for written confirmation from Service Canada before making any commitments.
Final decisions
All decisions are final. There is no appeal process.
What happens after an application is approved
If your application is approved
We will send you an email with:
- a document called "Calculation of Approved Canada Summer Jobs Contribution Amount", signed by an authorized representative of Canada
- the forms you need to complete your agreement
The email will also include the contact information for a Service Canada representative who can help if you have questions about your agreement.
Inspections and audits
Please note: Some approved employers may be randomly selected for inspections or audits, as outlined in subsection 21.2 of the Articles of Agreement.
If selected, your organization may be asked to provide financial documents such as:
- payroll records
- pay stubs
- CRA remittance forms
We may also interview participants in the Canada Summer Jobs program. If we find any financial issues, we may verify information with the Canada Revenue Agency.
What happens if an application is not approved
All applicants will receive a written decision by email, whether their application is approved or not.
To keep the process fair and consistent, we do not share individual assessment scores.
However, we encourage you to review the program objectives and assessment criteria on our website. This can help you understand how applications are evaluated and how to strengthen future submissions.