In a time when fully funded opportunities in international policy are becoming fiercely competitive, Canada has just dropped a golden chance for doctoral students worldwide. The Cadieux-Léger Fellowship 2026 is officially open — and it’s not just another academic grant. This is a front-row seat to Canada’s foreign policy engine, offering scholars the rare chance to work inside Global Affairs Canada while getting paid to shape real-world policy thinking.
For PhD candidates dreaming of moving beyond theory into real diplomatic impact, this fellowship feels like it came straight out of nowhere — and at exactly the right moment. With a generous bursary of up to $54,000, hands-on policy experience, and elite government exposure, the Cadieux-Léger Fellowship is quietly becoming one of Canada’s most powerful academic-to-policy bridges for 2026.
What Winning Cadieux-Léger Fellowship 2026 Truly Means for You?
Landing this fellowship isn’t just about funding — it’s about stepping into the inner circle of Canadian foreign policy. As a Cadieux-Léger Fellow, you are embedded inside the Open Insights Hub at Global Affairs Canada, working alongside policymakers, analysts, and international experts.
This means your research no longer sits on a shelf — it actively feeds into policy briefs, strategic discussions, and real diplomatic decisions. Add to that a bursary of up to $54,000 for up to 12 months, flexible working hours, and unmatched professional networking across government and international institutions, and you’re looking at a fellowship that doesn’t just support your PhD — it launches your global policy career.
Simple Eligibility Requirements for the Cadieux-Léger Fellowship 2026
If you’re serious about applying, here’s what you need to know — and yes, the criteria are refreshingly clear. To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be enrolled full-time in a doctoral (PhD) program at the time of application and throughout the fellowship
- Have completed coursework and exams with an approved dissertation proposal
- Be researching a topic relevant to Canada’s foreign policy priorities
- Be studying in fields such as political science, international relations, economics, law, or related disciplines
- Be willing to commit up to 25 hours per week for a maximum of 12 months
- Canadian citizens and permanent residents are preferred.
How to Apply for the Cadieux-Léger Fellowship 2026?
Applying is easier than most government fellowships — and everything is centralized so you won’t be chasing links across multiple portals.
Here’s your step-by-step roadmap:
Start by visiting the Government of Canada jobs portal https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/study_work_travel-etude_travail_voyage/cadieux_leger_fellowship-bourse_cadieux_leger.aspx?lang=eng, where the official call for applications is published each year.
Next, prepare a strong research proposal that tackles a major foreign-policy issue connected to Global Affairs Canada’s mandate — this is where your ideas truly matter.
Then submit your complete application through the portal before the deadline and get ready to step into one of the most impactful policy fellowships in Canada.
Think of this process not as a formality — but as your first pitch to Canada’s foreign-policy community.
Last Date to Apply for the Cadieux-Léger Fellowship 2026
The last date to apply for the Cadieux-Léger Fellowship 2026–2027, offered through Global Affairs Canada, is January 30, 2026.