The Action Canada Fellowship is building leaders for Canada’s future.
Over a ten-month Fellowship, we offer emerging leaders from across the country, across sectors, and from diverse backgrounds a deep understanding of the country and core policymaking tools.
We support them in developing the leadership skills that help them become more impactful Canadian leaders.
Program Objectives
Fellows will emerge from the program with knowledge and skills in the following areas:
Canada
Fellows will be able to apply knowledge of major sectors, institutions, issues, and regions to deepen their understanding of current Canadian issues and policy decisions.
Policy
Fellows will be able to explain the complexity of policymaking in Canada, a country with great diversity in needs and interests. They will create effective and responsive policy recommendations.
Leadership
Fellows will demonstrate leadership skills such as self-awareness, authenticity, and clarity of purpose. They will show confidence in their ability to have an impact.
Connection
Fellows will establish close ties to peers with different viewpoints from across the country, sectors, backgrounds, and generations.
Over the course of the Fellowship year, Fellows gain knowledge and skills through two main components:
1
Study Tours and Virtual Sessions
Four immersive study tours across Canada where Fellows engage in challenging conversations with local leaders, learn about public policy, and participate in leadership skills training.
2
Public Policy
Research Project
Fellows tackle a challenging policy issue tied to the annual theme, conducting research and developing innovative solutions, culminating in a final report and presentation to stakeholders and officials.
Our learning approaches
Workshops
Leadership and public policy skills training on topics like effective writing, public speaking, media relations, team building, and effective listening.
Engaging Conversations
Local and national leaders in business, government, academia, media and the arts present and engage in candid conversations with Fellows.
Immersive Learning
On-site and behind the scenes visits to businesses (e.g. factories), government institutions (e.g. seats of parliament), cultural and academic institutions, and a broad range of communities, including First Nation, Inuit and Metis.
Group Discussion
Fellows explore ideas and reflect on what they’ve heard with each other, to hear different perspectives, grapple with complexity, and consolidate what they are learning.
Learning by Doing
Fellows practice the leadership and policy-making skills they learn through the policy research project, the coaching, and various responsibilities that are given throughout the Fellowship year (e.g. leading seminar discussions, writing blogs, etc.)
Each year, the program explores a timely national challenge selected for its relevance, cross-government interest, and potential for impact.
Applicants don’t need prior experience with the theme—just curiosity and a willingness to learn through a real-world case study as emerging leaders interested in policy and Canada’s future.
To make the best use of time and resources, the program is delivered in a hybrid format with some curriculum delivered through virtual sessions and study tours focusing on experiential and collaborative learning.
Study Tours Dates
The 2026-27 study tours last 4–6 days. Selected Fellows must attend the full tour. Travel is generally within the dates below, with possible exceptions for remote locations.
- Week of June 13-20, 2026
- Week of September 12-20, 2026
- Week of November 14-22, 2026
- Week of Feb 27 – March 7, 2027
Virtual Session Dates
Fellows must also attend all virtual sessions from 7-9 p.m. ET on the following Wednesdays.
May 27, 2026 | Jun. 3, 2026 | Jul. 15, 2026 |
Sep. 2, 2026 | Oct. 7, 2026 | Oct. 21, 2026 |
Nov. 4, 2026 | Dec. 9, 2026 | Jan. 13, 2027 |
Feb. 3, 2027
Discover the range of speakers and activities Fellows experience during a study tour, through examples of recent itineraries.
Learn, Lead, Change.
Apply Now