Get tuition-free mid-level cybersecurity training and Fortinet NSE certifications starting November 30, 2026, if you are an IT professional in AB, BC, MB, NS, or ON.
Published by G Paul · last checked September 24, 2026
This program is completely tuition-free, meaning there is no cost for you to apply or participate. Because it is funded by generous donors, you do not have to pay anything back. This is for you if you are an IT professional with a degree or diploma who wants to move into a mid-level security role and is currently facing unemployment or financial barriers. The next cohort starts on November 30, 2026, and ends on March 26, 2027. No specific application deadline is posted publicly — before you start, check NPower Canada's program page or call their office to confirm when applications close for this cohort. Selection criteria aren't published, though NPower Canada notes that they prioritize certain groups based on funder requirements. Ask NPower Canada how participants are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Since the program is tuition-free, there is no money sent to you; instead, NPower Canada covers the full cost of your training and certifications. Confirm with them if there are any other stipends available during the 15-week term. Renewal conditions aren't listed because this is a 15-week certification program rather than a multi-year scholarship. Confirm with NPower Canada if you can take further advanced cohorts after you finish this one.
You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, or Ontario. If you live in Ontario, you must be in Cambridge, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Kingston, Kitchener, Hamilton, London, Waterloo, Windsor, Gananoque, or Ottawa. Note that programs are indefinitely paused in Quebec, and residents there cannot apply. You must hold a high school diploma, GED, CAEC (Canadian Adult Education Credential), or equivalent, and be eligible to work full-time in Canada with a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). Financially, your annual household income must be below $105,000 and your individual income below $50,000. You must also be facing unemployment, underemployment, or financial barriers to employment or post-secondary education. Non-native English speakers must have an intermediate to advanced level, specifically a minimum CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) level 7-8 score. Professionally, you need a bachelor’s degree or post-secondary diploma in a related field like cybersecurity, computer science, information technology, or networking. You must have at least one year of prior internship or professional experience in cybersecurity, information security, networking, computer science, or computer engineering. You should be familiar with GUI (Graphical User Interface), CLI (Command Line Interface) diagnostic commands, PuTTY, basic Linux, documentation literacy, and logging fundamentals. Finally, you must not already hold Fortinet NSE 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 certifications, nor the GCDA (GIAC Certified Detection Analyst) or GCIA (GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst) certifications. You cannot apply if you are currently enrolled in, or confirmed for, full-time post-secondary study, or if you are studying IT or tech part-time or full-time at a post-secondary school. You also cannot be currently employed in IT, be an international student holding a study permit, or have already graduated from one of NPower Canada's Core programs.
This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
We don't have a confirmed date for this round. The award's official page will have it.
Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.
We don't have a confirmed deadline for this one. Check the award's official page for this year's date.
No. You need to be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
FundMyCourse.ca · checked Sep 24, 2026
Varies. Check the official page
fundmycourse.ca/scholarships/npower-canada-network-security-professional-program-fortinet-nse