Canada-Asia Young Professionals Fellowship Program: Shaping Global Leaders of Tomorrow

Are you a passionate young Canadian seeking to understand and contribute to Canada’s role in a rapidly changing Asia? The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) invites graduate students and early-career professionals to apply for the prestigious Canada-Asia Young Professionals Fellowship Program 2025–26. This nine-month, non-resident program offers selected fellows the opportunity to engage deeply with key policy issues, sharpen their communication skills, and connect with a dynamic network of peers and experts in the Canada-Asia space.

📅 Deadline: 11:59 p.m. PT on Sunday, August 10, 2025
🕓 Duration: September 2025 – June 2026
📍 Location: Remote, with an in-person retreat in Vancouver, May 2026 (all travel costs covered)
👥 Cohort Size: Up to 20 Fellows
Eligibility Age: 22–30 years

 Program Highlights

• Bi-monthly virtual meetings featuring expert Q&As, group discussions, and workshops.

• Focus on current debates in Canada-Asia relations and strategic regional developments.

• Hands-on skill-building in public communication and analysis.

• In-person retreat in Vancouver for networking and collaboration.

Average weekly commitment: ~3 hours

 Who Should Apply?

Ideal candidates will:

• Be between 22 and 30 years old at the program’s start (September 2025).

• Hold a degree in international relations, political science, law, economics, business, Asian Studies, or a related field.

• Show strong interest or experience in Asia-related topics through academics, work, volunteering, or lived experience.

• Be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

• Be available for twice-monthly virtual meetings and the May 2026 retreat.

 What You’ll Gain

• Deeper insight into Asia’s strategic importance to Canada.

• Opportunities to engage with senior policymakers and scholars.

• Networking with a cohort of highly motivated peers.

• Enhanced skills in public speaking, analysis, and writing on Canada-Asia topics.

 Application Requirements

Submit the following in one merged PDF:

1. Current CV

2. Official/unofficial post-secondary transcripts

3. Two-page cover letter addressing specific prompts

4. Names and contacts of two references (professional or academic)

Cover Letter Structure:

Page 1: Introduce yourself and explain your motivation for applying.
Page 2:

• Discuss one recent Asia-related issue you’ve followed and its importance to Canadians.

• Mention two additional issues you’d like to explore, and pose 2–3 guiding questions for each.

 Diversity & Accessibility

APF Canada encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds, including racial, ethnic, gender, and socio-economic identities. Applicants with accessibility needs can request accommodations during any stage of the application or fellowship.

 Contact

For questions, reach out to Ms. Mei Terasawa at
📨 [email protected]