Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) Global Leadership Program 2026 — Applications Now Open for Mid-Career Canadian Professionals
- Omran Aburayya
- Apr 23
- 5 min read
If you are a Canadian professional who has spent years building expertise in your field but feels the growing pull to look beyond borders, to understand the forces reshaping the world and your role in addressing them, then the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) Global Leadership Program 2026 was designed with you in mind. Applications for the 2026 cohort are now open, and the deadline is May 19, 2026. This fully funded, immersive leadership development program brings together a select group of mid-career professionals from across Canada and across sectors — from government and civil society to private enterprise and academia — to explore the defining challenges of our time and emerge as more purposeful, globally minded leaders.
🌐 Program at a Glance
Location: Virtual (pre- and post-residency) + Ottawa, Canada (in-person residency)
Host Institution: Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
Program Level: Professional / Leadership Development (mid-career)
Target Group: Mid-career Canadian citizens and permanent residents from any professional sector
Focus Areas: Global leadership, pluralism, climate change, international development, economic transformation, sustainable development, and Canada's role in the world
Award Value and Coverage: Fully funded — travel from anywhere in Canada, accommodation in Ottawa, and all meals during the residency are covered. A nominal participation fee of $100 CAD applies upon selection (waivable for financial need).
Program Duration: September 2026 through ongoing post-residency engagement
Application Deadline: May 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET
In-Person Residency Dates: November 1 to 6, 2026, Ottawa
Eligible Candidates: Canadian citizens or permanent residents, fluent in English
📚 Program Overview
The Aga Khan Foundation Canada is a registered Canadian charity and part of the global Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a family of development agencies committed to addressing the social, economic, and cultural dimensions of development. Since 1980, AKFC has worked to improve millions of lives in Africa and Asia, in partnership with the Government of Canada and diverse Canadian institutions.
The AKFC Global Leadership Program is a flagship leadership development initiative designed to equip mid-career Canadian professionals with the perspectives, skills, and collaborative mindset needed to respond to an increasingly interconnected world. The program is built on the understanding that global challenges require shared solutions and leaders who can operate effectively across sectors, cultures, and systems.
It brings together professionals from diverse sectors to explore the social, political, economic, and environmental forces shaping contemporary societies. Through facilitated discussions and practical exercises, participants examine how these issues intersect and how leadership can influence meaningful change.
Now in its third cohort year, the program has already generated a notable alumni community. Past participants have described it as genuinely transformative — not simply in a professional sense, but in how they see themselves as actors in a complex world. One 2025 participant noted that it reaffirmed their commitment to creating positive impact while giving them fuel for sustainable leadership in volatile, complex times. Another described being in the presence of leaders from diverse backgrounds as a platform for continued growth long after the program ended.
🧩 Program Structure
The Global Leadership Program combines three interconnected phases:
Phase 1 — Pre-Residency Virtual Engagement (September to October 2026)
Participants are onboarded into the cohort through virtual group coaching and learning sessions. This phase builds foundational knowledge, establishes peer connections, and prepares participants for the depth of the in-person residency. Participants commit to joining virtual learning and coaching sessions before and after the in-person program.
Phase 2 — Ottawa In-Person Residency (November 1 to 6, 2026)
This is the centerpiece of the program — a five-day immersive residential experience in Canada's capital. These themes are explored through a combination of lectures, discussions, simulations, and collaborative exercises. The 2026 residency includes one additional day compared to prior years, concluding on the Friday afternoon — a signal of the program's expanding ambition.
Learning is guided by global thought leaders, practitioners, and senior policymakers. Confirmed faculty and speakers include:
Khalil Z. Shariff, CEO, Aga Khan Foundation Canada
Fatema Z. Sumar, Executive Director, Center for International Development, Harvard University
Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General, Global Centre for Pluralism
Celina Caesar-Chavannes, Managing Director, CCC & Co. and Founder, The Awakened Leadership Institute
Roland Paris, Director, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa
Chris MacLennan, Deputy Minister, International Development, Global Affairs Canada
Rohinton Medhora, Professor of Practice, McGill University
Mohannad Obaido, CEO, Aga Khan Foundation Syria; Najmuddin Najm, CEO, Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan; and Nancy Booker, Dean, Graduate School of Media and Communication, Aga Khan University (joining virtually) Akfc
Pedagogical approaches include guided learning, case study review, peer-to-peer and collaborative learning, immersive reflective exercises, energizing simulations, networking, and group coaching. A notable highlight is the G20 simulation session, which places participants in the role of global decision-makers navigating real geopolitical and development challenges.
Phase 3 — Post-Residency Virtual Learning and Alumni Engagement (Ongoing)
The program does not end in Ottawa. Participants continue through virtual sessions, and are welcomed into a growing alumni network of Canadian global leaders committed to sustained collaboration and impact.
Thematic Focus Areas include:
Climate change and environmental sustainability
Pluralism and inclusive societies
Global economic transformation
International development and Canada's role
Geopolitics and global governance
Ethical and purposeful leadership
🎁 Benefits & What Is Covered?
Full coverage of return travel from anywhere in Canada to Ottawa
Hotel accommodation for the full residential period (November 1 to 6, 2026)
All meals during the in-person residency
Access to world-class faculty, thought leaders, and global practitioners
Peer learning alongside a carefully selected cohort of approximately 40 professionals from across Canada
Lifetime membership in the AKFC Global Leadership Program alumni network
Virtual group coaching sessions before and after the residency
A nominal participation fee of $100 CAD upon selection — waivable upon request for those facing financial barriers
✅ Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the 2026 cohort, applicants must:
Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
Be fluent in English
Be available to attend the full in-person residential program in Ottawa from November 1 to 6, 2026
Demonstrate a clear desire to learn from others and contribute to meaningful dialogue
Be committed to joining virtual group coaching sessions both before and after the residency
Be committed to staying engaged as an alumnus — contributing to a growing network of leaders dedicated to a more peaceful, prosperous, and pluralist world
Note: Students already enrolled in the program or previous alumni may not be eligible to reapply for the same cohort
The program actively values diversity of background, profession, and perspective. Ideal candidates are individuals who demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to addressing global challenges. The program values diversity of experience, background, and perspective, bringing together a cohort of leaders from varied professional and cultural contexts.
📝 Application Procedure
The application is submitted entirely online through the Submittable platform, in the following steps:
Visit the official application portal at: https://akfc.submittable.com/submit/353322/global-leadership-program-2026
Create a free Submittable account using your email address and a password
Complete the online application form in full, answering all questions within the specified word limits
Provide your personal information and address details
Upload all required supporting documents
Submit before the deadline: May 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET
Supported browsers: Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and Mozilla Firefox. For technical issues, contact Submittable support directly via their help portal.
Important note: AKFC requests that applicants complete their application without the use of AI tools, to ensure the authenticity and individuality of each submission.
For questions about the program, contact: AKFC-GlobalLeadershipProgram@akdn.org
🚀 A Final Word
In a world defined by compounding crises — from climate disruption and geopolitical fragmentation to growing inequality and democratic backsliding — the need for leaders who think beyond the immediate and the local has never been greater. The AKFC Global Leadership Program 2026 offers a powerful opportunity for mid-career professionals to grow as leaders, expand their global perspective, and contribute meaningfully to solving some of the world's most pressing challenges. With the deadline of May 19, 2026 drawing close, Canadian professionals who are ready to invest in their growth — and in a more equitable world — should act without delay.
