Canada‑Asia Young Professionals Fellowship Program 2025‑26
- Omran Aburayya
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you are a young Canadian professional or graduate student aged between 22 and 30 with a passion for Asia and a desire to advance Canada–Asia relations, the Canada‑Asia Young Professionals Fellowship Program 2025‑26 is a fully funded opportunity you won’t want to miss. Applications are officially open, and the deadline is 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, August 10, 2025
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: Remote participation, with a two‑day in-person retreat at APF Canada headquarters in Vancouver, Canada
Host Institution: Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), a leading Canada–Asia research and policy think-tank
Duration: Mid‑September 2025 to June 2026 (approx. nine months)
Level: Graduate students or young professionals
Target Group: Canadians (citizens or permanent residents) aged 22–30 at program start (circa September 16, 2025)
Fields of Focus: Degrees in political science, international relations, Asian studies, economics, law, business, or related fields; plus proven interest in contemporary Asia and Canada–Asia relations
Value & Coverage: No tuition fee; travel and accommodation costs for Vancouver retreat covered by APF Canada
Schedule Commitment: ~3 hours per week; virtual sessions once or twice monthly (60 minutes each), plus a two-day in‑person retreat in early May 2026
Application Deadline: Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT
Program Start Date: Mid-September 2025; concludes June 2026
Eligibility To: Canadian citizens or permanent residents aged 22–30, with relevant academic background and interest in Asia
🎓 Program Overview
This nine-month, non-residential fellowship is delivered almost entirely online. Fellows join the program virtually, meeting once or twice per month for 60‑minute sessions focused on:
Key issue briefings on Canada–Asia relations and Asia’s strategic importance
Expert Q&A sessions with scholars and practitioners
Group discussions among fellows
Workshops to hone written and oral communication tailored to Canada–Asia analysis
A highlight of the program is the two-day retreat in early May 2026 at APF Canada’s Vancouver office, where fellows meet in person, network with staff and stakeholders, and build community – with travel costs covered by the foundation.
Expected commitment is modest: an average of about three hours per week, balancing other studies or professional obligations
🎁 Benefits
Fellows will:
Deepen understanding of Canada’s strategic positioning regarding Asia
Engage with experts and policy-makers on timely Asia–Canada issues
Join a national cohort of like-minded young professionals
Improve communication skills, especially on public-facing analysis
Attend a fully funded retreat in Vancouver for direct networking opportunities
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents
Be aged 22 to 30 around mid‑September 2025
Hold or be pursuing a degree in ➤ international relations, political science, business, economics, law, Asian Studies, or a related field
Demonstrate interest in contemporary Asia and Canada–Asia relations (via academics, professional/volunteer, or lived experience)
Be available for twice‑monthly virtual meetings (60 minutes each)
Commit to attending the in‑person retreat in Vancouver in early May 2026 (travel funded by APF Canada)
Note: applicants from diverse backgrounds (racial, ethnic, gender, socio-economic, ability, etc.) are strongly encouraged; accommodations are available if required during application or fellowship period
📝 Application Procedure
Submit a single MERGED PDF via the APF Canada BambooHR portal by August 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Include:
Current CV
Official or unofficial transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
Two-page cover letter, structured as follows:
Page 1: Introduce yourself and explain what you hope to gain; highlight any personal context not captured elsewhere
Page 2:
Identify one recent or current event in Asia (over the past 40 years) that interested you and explain its importance to Canadians
Identify two other issues you’d like to explore, why they matter, and 2–3 guiding questions you’d pursue about each
References: Name, title, and email for two referees (academic or professional)
ℹ️ Short-listed candidates will be invited for interviews in early–mid August 2025; final offers will be extended by late August
✅ Quick Application Checklist
CV ☐
Transcripts ☐
Cover Letter (2 pages) ☐
References (2) ☐
Merge into single PDF ☐
Submit by Aug 10, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT ☐
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