Frequently Asked Questions
1. Must individuals be nominated for the Action Canada fellowship?
Yes. Action Canada candidates must be nominated.
2. Is there an age limit for participation in the Action Canada fellowship program?
No. There is no age limit for candidates. Action Canada is for individuals in the early stages of their careers, therefore the age range of candidates varies.
3. What is the deadline for the call for nominations?
The deadline for receipt of the complete nomination package for the 2012/2013 fellowship year is 5:00 pm PT Friday 17 February 2012. Faxed or emailed documents will not be accepted.
4. Does the nominator qualify as one of the referees?
Yes. The nominator is one of the three required referees. The Nominator Requirements consist of providing to the candidate a completed Nomination Form and a sealed letter of recommendation describing how the candidate meets the Selection Criteria. There are two options for submitting these documents. The nominator may send the documents to the candidate in advance of the submission deadline so that the documents can be included in the candidate’s complete nomination package. Or, the nominator may submit the nomination form and letter of recommendation here. In this case, the candidate does not need to include these two documents in the complete nomination package.
5. Should the candidate submit the letters of reference or should the referees send them directly to Action Canada?
The candidate is responsible for ensuring that Action Canada receives the nomination package by the deadline date. Faxed or emailed documents will not be accepted.
Only the nominator has the option to upload his/her reference letter online here. Therefore, the candidate must include hard copies of the two additional letters of reference in the nomination package.
6. To whom should I address my nomination application?
Your application should be addressed to the Action Canada National Selection Committee.
7. Must Action Canada Fellows be enrolled in graduate studies, or have post-secondary or graduate/professional degrees?
No. The Action Canada Fellowship is directed towards individuals in the early stages of their careers. There are no degree requirements.
8. Is the Action Canada Fellowship program open to all disciplines or only those related to public policy and leadership?
The Action Canada program is not specific to a particular discipline. It is open to candidates from different educational backgrounds and work experiences. There are no degree requirements.
9. Must nominees be Canadian citizens?
Candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
10. Can Canadians working or studying outside of Canada participate in the program?
Yes. Canadians working or studying abroad are eligible to participate in the program. Each fellowship year no more than two candidates who are working or studying outside of Canada will be selected.
11. Is Action Canada a full-time program?
No. While the commitment to Action Canada is substantial, the fellowship year is to be undertaken in conjunction other work in which the Fellows are engaged.
12. What is the time commitment for participation in the Action Canada Program?
The time commitment is substantial. Fellows must be available to travel and participate in five, four-to-six-day (scheduled around weekends) intensive working conferences during their fellowship year. One will be held in Vancouver, one in Ottawa and the others in Canadian locations to be selected annually.
As well, Fellows must be available to travel and participate in up to 10 Task Force meeting days/overnight stays, which will be scheduled immediately preceeding, or after the working conference dates.
13. When does the Action Canada Fellowship year begin and end?
The fellowship year begins 1 May and concludes 31 March each Fellowship year.
14. How will the Fellows’ public policy project(s) be selected?
Fellows will select their public policy projects in consultation with Action Canada.
15. Where can we find information about past Fellows’ public policy projects?
Click here to review past public policy projects.
