2025–2026 Youth Fellows Program

If you’re a passionate student aged 18–25 and enrolled in a Canadian undergraduate program, the 2025–2026 Youth Fellows Program is now open for applications! Hosted by the Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy at McGill University, this is a unique opportunity to lead youth discourse on AI and digital policy across Canada.

🎓 Fellowship Summary

• Location: Canada (Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Halifax) + final event in Ottawa

• Host Institution: Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy, McGill University

• Level: Youth leadership fellowship (non-degree)

• Target group: Canadian-based undergraduate students, ages 18–25

• Fields of focus: AI & Privacy, AI & Information Integrity, AI & Age Assurance, youth digital rights governance

• Coverage: CAD 20,000 honorarium + fully covered travel and accommodation

• Duration: September 2025–April 2026 (forums and final event)

• Deadline to Apply: August 6, 2025 (rolling review process)

• Eligible to: Canadian undergraduate students ages 18–25, based in Canada only

✨ Program Structure Overview

• National Youth Forums: Lead one of three forums (AI & Privacy, AI & Information Integrity, AI & Age Assurance) held in major Canadian cities:

  • Toronto (Sept 27–28 or Oct 3–4, 2025)

  • Montreal (Oct 22–24, 2025 and Jan 30–31, 2026)

  • Vancouver (Feb 27–28, 2026)

  • Halifax (Mar 27–28, 2026)

• Reporting & Publication: Co-author two reports – one per forum and a national synthesis on youth and AI trust

• Final Launch Event: Present findings at a major event in Ottawa in April 2026

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

• CAD 20,000 Honorarium: Paid in installments as project milestones are completed

• Full Travel & Accommodation Coverage: Covers all forums and the Ottawa final event

• Leadership & Mentorship Training: Weekly coaching, public speaking workshops, media exposure, and networking with youth policy partners (e.g. Young Peoples Alliance, NoSo, 5Rights)

• Platform & Visibility: Opportunity to speak at the 2025 Attention Forum on Digital Governance and network with key actors in youth digital policy

✅ Eligibility Criteria

• Aged between 18 and 25

• Enrolled as an undergraduate student in Canada

• Based in Canada (international students are not eligible)

• Demonstrated interest or experience in digital policy, AI ethics, youth engagement, advocacy, activism, or community organizing

• Strong communication skills; bilingual proficiency (English/French) is a bonus

• Willingness to travel across Canada for forum events

📝 Application Procedure

1. Submit materials via email to Helen Hayes at HelenHayes@mcgill.ca by August 6, 2025.

2. Include:

   • A one-page cover letter detailing your interest, experience, and preferred forum topic

   • CV/resume

   • Optional: a 30‑second introductory video (self‑shot)

3. No application fee

4. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until the deadline

   
   

🗓️ Timeline

• Early September 2025 — Fellowship begins

• Toronto Forum: Sept 27–28 or Oct 3–4, 2025

• Montreal Forums: Oct 22–24, 2025 and Jan 30–31, 2026

• Vancouver Forum: Feb 27–28, 2026

• Halifax Forum: Mar 27–28, 2026

• Final Launch Event (Ottawa): April 2026 (exact date TBC)

• Honorarium delivered through project milestones across duration