NEXT 36 Program 2027: Get $30,000-Worth of Entrepreneurship Training for Free in Toronto
What if you could get access to an entrepreneurship program valued at roughly $30,000 — without paying tuition?
- Who can applyThe Next 36 program primarily targets Canadian citizens and…
- Application fee$0
Overview
The NEXT 36 Program gives promising student and recent-graduate entrepreneurs access to intensive business education, mentorship and venture-building support, with program costs covered by NEXT Canada donors and corporate partners.
The 2027 cohort combines four months of virtual learning with a full-time summer intensive in Toronto.
NEXT 36 is an intensive entrepreneurship program designed to help promising young entrepreneurs develop their ideas, build ventures and strengthen their entrepreneurial skills.
The program is structured around two phases.
Phase 1 — Virtual
January–April 2027
Participants take part remotely on a part-time basis, allowing students to continue their academic terms while developing their entrepreneurial ideas.
You’ll work on areas such as venture development, business strategy and building a stronger foundation for your startup.
Phase 2 — Toronto Intensive
May–August 2027
The program moves to Toronto, Canada, where participants take part in a full-time summer entrepreneurial intensive.
This is the most demanding part of the program and requires participants to be able to commit to the in-person residency.
At a glance
About
- Opportunity type
- Entrepreneurship & Venture-Building Program
- Location
- Toronto, Canada + Virtual
- Cohort
- 2027
- Program value
- Approximately $30,000 per entrepreneur
- Phase 1
- January–April 2027, virtual and part-time
- Phase 2
- May–August 2027, in-person and full-time
- Target audience
- Undergraduate students, master’s students and recent graduates
- Academic discipline
- Any field
- Venture stage
- Early-stage ideas and existing ventures can be considered
- Living costs
- Self-funded
Funding
- Application fee
- $0
- Tuition
- Fully covered
- Relocation/housing
- Self-funded
Eligibility
- Eligible nationalities / residency
- The Next 36 program primarily targets Canadian citizens and permanent residents, or individuals holding valid Canadian study or work permits.
Who can apply
NEXT 36 is designed for:
- Undergraduate students
- Master’s students
- Recent graduates
- Entrepreneurs from any academic discipline
- Applicants with an early-stage business idea
- Applicants who already have a pre-existing venture
You don’t need to come from a traditional business or entrepreneurship background.
The program primarily targets applicants who can legally participate in Canada, including:
- Canadian citizens
- Canadian permanent residents
- Students with valid Canadian study or work authorization, where applicable
Canadian citizens studying at universities outside Canada may also be eligible, provided they can make the required commitment to the Toronto summer intensive.
Important: Your ability to participate in the program’s in-person phase depends on having the appropriate legal status to be in Canada.
How to apply
Apply online through the official NEXT Canada application portal before the deadline.
When preparing your application, focus on:
- Your entrepreneurial idea or existing venture
- The problem you’re trying to solve
- What you’ve built so far
- Your motivation as a founder
- Your academic or professional background
- Your potential to grow the venture
Do You Need an Existing Startup?
Not necessarily.
NEXT 36 can consider applicants who are still developing an early-stage idea as well as entrepreneurs who already have a venture.
This makes it relevant both to aspiring founders and students who have already started building something.
How Much Does It Cost?
Tuition: $0.
The program’s educational and curriculum costs are covered by NEXT Canada donors and corporate partners, with the overall program value reported at approximately $30,000 per entrepreneur.
However, $30,000 is the value of the program, not a cash award paid to participants.
Costs You Should Budget For
Participants are responsible for their own:
- Housing in Toronto
- Daily living expenses
- Personal expenses
- Relocation costs
- Other expenses associated with attending the summer intensive
So while the program itself is tuition-free, you should plan financially for the May–August Toronto residency.
Application Fee
Free — $0.
There is no application fee to apply.
Don’t Miss the Next Hidden Gem
A $30,000-worth entrepreneurship program with $0 tuition is the kind of opportunity most students don’t come across while searching for traditional scholarships.
If you’re a student or recent graduate with a startup idea — even an early one — NEXT 36 could give you the training, network and environment to take it much further.
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Frequently asked questions
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