Apply to NYA

Applications now closed 

Applications for the 2024 NYA Canadian Program and NYA Next Program are now closed. If you would like to apply beyond the deadline, email nya@nya.ca

Referral Forms 

Referral Forms are due November 21st, 2023.

Fill out a Referral for an NYA Applicant at this link https://form.jotform.com/NYA1/2024-referral

What is the NYA Canadian Program? What is NYA Next? 

The NYA Canadian and Next Programs are for youth from Nunavut and the NWT that gives opportunities to travel, gain work experience, earn high school credits and more! They are both 10-months long and are highlighted by a summer placement in Southern Canada. Over 580 young people from Nunavut and the NWT have completed an NYA Program. 

As an NYA Program Participant, youth will:

  • Work on assignments in their home community between February and June with the help of a Mentor. These assignments help prepare youth for a summer placement in the south. 
  • Attend a five-day Orientation program in Ottawa. 
  • Attend Re-Orientation after placements are finished before returning home. 
  • Complete a series of fall assignments after returning home. 

Additionally, Canadian Program Participants will: 

  • Stay with a Host Family in southern Canada. 
  • Travel and live with another NYA Participant (who we call a placement buddy) during the summer. 
  • Volunteer full-time at a work placement and gain work experience. 
  • Gain independence. 

Additionally, Next Program Participants will: 

  • Live with a group of other Participants in a college residence. Complete a construction trades course.  
  • Experience living in a city, 
  • Learn about post-secondary and plan their next steps 

Who Can Apply? 

  • Any youth between the ages of 15 and 20 (as of June 1, 2024) living in Nunavut or the Northwest Territories can apply to the Canadian Program. 
  • Any youth between the ages of 15 and 22 (as of June 30, 2024) living in Nunavut or the Northwest Territories can apply to the NYA Next Program. 
  • Youth do not need to be attending school to participate. 

How to Apply

  • Interested youth should fill out an application online, using the “Apply Now” button above.
  • Youth can also send in a paper application by email to nya@nya.ca or fax to 613-232-2121. 
  • Youth need to find a Mentor, who is an adult that can help the Participant complete and send in assignments and support them as they get ready for travel. A Mentor can be a teacher, a boss, an NYA Alumni, a rec coordinator etc. A Mentor can’t be a family member or someone who lives in the same house as you.  
  • Each youth needs 2 referrals forms. 1 is completed by their Mentor, and 1 is from another adult who does not live in the same house as the Applicant )called a second referral).  

Print Applications

Contact Us

If you need to reach out to us, you can can contact us by phone (1-866-212-2307) text (1-867-888-4001) or email (nya@nya.ca)