If studying or conducting research in Canada has been on your academic vision board, the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) 2026–2027 is officially open—and it is one of the most strategic, short-term, funded mobility opportunities available right now for students from Latin America and the Caribbean. Backed by the Government of Canada, this flagship initiative is designed to nurture the next generation of regional leaders by offering funded academic exposure at Canadian post-secondary institutions, without the burden of tuition fees.
With Canadian institutions now leading student selection under a newly streamlined delivery model, ELAP 2026 is faster, clearer, and more institution-driven—making it easier for eligible students to access funded education and research placements in Canada while building international academic networks that last well beyond the program.
What the Emerging Leaders in Americas Program is Offering in 2026?
At its core, the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program removes two of the biggest barriers to international mobility: tuition costs and living expenses. Selected students receive generous, fixed-value scholarships to support short-term study or research in Canada, while host institutions are required to waive tuition fees entirely. This makes ELAP a powerful gateway for students who want Canadian academic exposure without committing to a full degree program abroad.
Funded by Global Affairs Canada, ELAP focuses on academic exchange, leadership development, and long-term people-to-people ties across the Americas—making it as much a diplomatic investment as an educational one.
Scholarship Benefits and Financial Coverage Under ELAP
Winning the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program scholarship means your academic stay in Canada is financially supported from arrival to completion. Depending on your level of study and duration, the scholarship provides:
-
CAD $8,600 for 4 months or one academic term
For undergraduate or graduate (Master’s or PhD) study or research placements -
CAD $12,400 for 5 to 6 months
For extended graduate-level (Master’s or PhD) study or research
These funds are intended to cover living expenses, accommodation, books, local transportation, and day-to-day costs during your stay in Canada. Tuition is not deducted from this amount because Canadian institutions must waive tuition for all ELAP recipients, effectively delivering a funded academic experience.
Who Can Be Selected for the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program
This program is designed for high-potential students already enrolled in institutions across Latin America and the Caribbean who are ready for short-term academic mobility in Canada.
To be eligible, selected students must:
- Be citizens of an eligible country or territory in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, or Mexico
- Be enrolled full-time at a recognized post-secondary institution in their home country
- Be paying tuition at their home institution during the entire mobility period
- Be able to complete their study or research placement in Canada no later than September 30, 2027
Students are not eligible if they:
- Hold or have applied for Canadian permanent residency or citizenship
- Are already studying in Canada on a degree, diploma, or certificate program
- Are receiving other funding from Global Affairs Canada or Canadian federal granting agencies.
Apply: https://www.educanada.ca/scholarships-bourses/can/institutions/elap-pfla.aspx?lang=eng
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) 2026–2027 is March 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT, and applications must be submitted by Canadian post-secondary institutions along with the required Management and Accountability Framework within this deadline window.