Deadline: January 30, 2026
The Cadieux-Léger Fellowship 2026–2027: Research Affiliate Program is a prestigious, fully funded research and policy fellowship hosted by Global Affairs Canada. This competitive programme offers doctoral candidates a unique opportunity to contribute directly to international policy research while gaining first-hand experience within Canada’s foreign policy ecosystem.
The Cadieux-Léger Fellowship 2026–2027: Research Affiliate Program is designed for emerging scholars who are passionate about global affairs, evidence-based policymaking, and interdisciplinary research.
Overview of the Fellowship
The Cadieux-Léger Fellowship is a 12-month research affiliation embedded within the Open Insights Hub at Global Affairs Canada. Fellows work closely with policy professionals, researchers, and international stakeholders to support Canada’s international priorities through applied research and policy engagement.
This fellowship bridges academic research and public policy, enabling fellows to translate scholarly insights into practical policy outputs.
Host Organisation
- Host: Global Affairs Canada (Open Insights Hub)
- Location: Gatineau, Québec, Canada
- Mode: In-person
Fellowship Duration and Funding
- Duration: Up to 12 months
(September 2026 – August 2027) - Time Commitment: Part-time (up to approximately 24 hours per week)
- Funding: Bursary of up to CAD $54,000, depending on the length of the fellowship
Successful fellows may also gain valuable exposure to future opportunities within the Canadian public service.
Areas of Research Focus
Fellows will engage in research aligned with Canada’s international and foreign policy priorities, including but not limited to:
- International and foreign policy
- Global security and defence
- International trade and economic policy
- Climate change and security
- Digital transformation and emerging technologies
- Multilateralism and global governance
Roles and Responsibilities
As a Cadieux-Léger Fellow, selected candidates will:
- Conduct independent and collaborative international policy research
- Prepare policy briefs, analytical notes, and short research papers
- Support departmental research initiatives and policy working groups
- Organise and participate in policy dialogues and engagement activities
- Collaborate with government officials, academics, civil society actors, and international partners
- Contribute evidence-based insights to inform Canadian foreign policy
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident, residing in Canada or abroad
- Be currently enrolled full-time in a PhD programme at a recognised institution (in Canada or internationally)
- Have achieved PhD candidacy status, including completed coursework, exams, and an approved dissertation proposal
- Be studying in a relevant field such as:
- Political Science
- International Relations
- Economics
- History
- Law
- Or a closely related discipline
- Be eligible to obtain Secret security clearance
- Demonstrate proficiency in English or French (knowledge of both official languages is considered an asset)
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- A detailed curriculum vitae (CV)
- A cover letter (approximately 1,000 words) outlining motivation, research interests, and alignment with Global Affairs Canada’s mandate
- Full academic transcripts
- A writing sample (published or unpublished research work)
- Proof of doctoral enrolment covering the fellowship period
- Contact details for three academic or professional referees
All applications must be submitted through the official Research Affiliate Program application portal.
Application Deadline
- Deadline: 30 January 2026
- Time: 23:59 (Pacific Time)
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Equity and Inclusion
Global Affairs Canada encourages applications from individuals belonging to equity-deserving and under-represented groups. The programme values diversity of perspectives and interdisciplinary approaches to global challenges.
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