The Cadieux-Léger Fellowship 2026-2027

Closing date: January 30, 2026 - 23:59, Pacific Time

Selection process number
25-EXT-EA-KK-1046351

Salary
The Cadieux‑Léger Fellowship will last up to 12 months. The Fellow will receive a total bursary not greater than $54,000 contingent on duration.

Who can apply
Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad.

Duties
The Fellow’s work includes research, writing short papers or briefs, and participating in the policy development process, including by organising engagement activities with internal and external experts and/or contributing to policy working groups and other initiatives.

Work environment
The Open Insights Hub of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is pleased to announce the selection process for the 2026‑2027 Cadieux‑Léger Fellowship. The Cadieux‑Léger Fellow is integrated within the Open Insights Hub at GAC as an analyst. The Hub aims to create an engaged, strategic, rigorous, collaborative and innovative environment, in part through knowledge‑sharing and interaction with a diverse and ever‑growing range of internal and external experts. Accordingly, the Fellow is expected to build networks within GAC, the Government of Canada and with external experts for the benefit of their research and of other departmental staff. The Fellow should place particular emphasis on identifying and engaging new sets of stakeholders whose good ideas can be leveraged as part of the Fellow’s research and analysis on international policy research issues (e.g. foreign and security policy, international economic and trade policy, and international assistance policy). While at GAC, the Fellow is expected to advance the Open Insights Hub’s thematic agenda by analyzing geostrategic and geo‑economic trends, as well as cross‑cutting international policy issues of strategic relevance to Canada. The current themes include global power shifts and great power competition, economic security, digital transformation and emerging technologies, the green transition and sustainability, climate‑security linkages, and the future of global development. Submissions should focus on opportunities and risks for Canada’s prosperity, security, and strategic autonomy in the current global context. This approach entails identifying blind spots or assumptions in existing policy; evaluating Canada’s international policy and program toolkit; and analysing Canada’s bilateral and multilateral relationships. We welcome proposals related to these themes. The relevance to Canada and quality of the research proposal are a deciding factor in the selection process, along with analytical abilities, interpersonal skills, and capacity for engagement and teamwork. Candidates are expected to work in presence at Global Affairs Canada in Gatineau, Québec.

Positions to be filled
1

Important messages

- Do you want to gain valuable experience working in an area related to your studies while contributing to the advancement of Canada’s international interests? The Cadieux‑Léger Fellowship provides direct experience in a policy research environment focused on the diverse challenges facing Canadian foreign policy.

- Applying for the Cadieux‑Léger Fellowship is done through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP). Only candidates that have completed this step of the process will be considered.

- Applications will be accepted online only.

- Due to the high volume of receipt of applications, only the students selected for an interview will be contacted.

- The candidate must be available for a period of 12 months between September 2026 and August 2027, conform to the eligibility criteria of the RAP, and shortlisted candidates will be required to obtain a Secret security clearance in order to finalize the selection procedure.

- While non‑Canadians residing in and eligible to work in Canada may apply, preference is given to Canadian citizens.

- Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

- Communication for this process will be sent via email. The candidate is responsible for ensuring accurate contact information.

- Persons are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of their choice. Students are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application, as well as knowledge level of the second official language.

- Persons with disabilities who cannot apply online are asked to send a message to the email address below under Contact information.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance – shortlisted candidates will be required to obtain a full unrestricted Secret security clearance in order to finalize the selection procedure.

Students hired through the RAP must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment. The student should be willing to start on September 1, 2026 or as soon thereafter as their letter of offer is prepared and signed. It is expected that the student will work a maximum of 24 hours per week and should be willing to commit for a maximum period of twelve (12) months.

You need (essential for the job)

- Education: The candidate must be enrolled in a doctoral program as a full‑time student in a recognised post‑secondary institution, in Canada or abroad, with a specialisation in Political Science or International Relations, or Economics, History, or Law, or a related programme. The candidate must have successfully attained candidacy status at the time of application, having completed all coursework and examination requirements, plus an approved dissertation proposal.

- The candidate must be recognised as having full‑time student status by the academic institution in which they are presently enrolled and maintain this status during the whole fellowship period. Part‑time students working on their thesis or recognised by the institution as having a disability will also be considered.

- PhD students in their third or fourth year, or those whose thesis is well advanced but not yet finalised, are eligible.

Language requirements (essential for the job)

Applied / assessed at a later date

English or French – Global Affairs Canada operates in a bilingual environment; working knowledge of the second official language is preferred.

May be applied / assessed at a later date

Organizational needs

In support of achieving a diversified workforce, priority may be given to candidates self‑declaring as belonging to one of the following employment equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and women.

Our commitment

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialised accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is committed to advancing equity and embracing diversity and inclusion by implementing meaningful actions that are founded in respect, collaboration and accountability. GAC’s dedication towards advancing equity, diversity and inclusion is exemplified through the various efforts and initiatives in place that aim to ensure representation at all levels, provide equitable career opportunities, provide a safe and accessible workplace, and strengthen the inclusivity of the workplace so that all employees have the possibility to be authentic. All candidates who believe they are qualified are encouraged to apply, including Black, other racialised and Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

Selection may be limited to members of the following employment equity groups: Indigenous (Aboriginal) peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and women.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Application Requirements

- A cover letter of 1,000 words explaining how your knowledge and experience align with Global Affairs Canada’s mandate.

- A complete transcript.

- A sample paper or publication.

- Proof of enrolment in a recognised academic institution at the Ph.D. level for the duration of the fellowship period.

- Contact information for 3 references.

We’d like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.

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