Comprehensive Guide to the 2027–2028 CFR International Affairs Fellowship in Canada: Mid-Career Global Leadership Opportunity
Overview
The International Affairs Fellowship in Canada is an initiative established in 2016 by the Council on Foreign Relations and sponsored by the Power Corporation of Canada. This fully funded exchange program aims to cultivate cross-border collaboration, strengthen diplomatic ties, and build professional networks between the United States and Canada. Selected participants spend a period of six to twelve months stationed on-site at a host institution in Canada, gaining institutional access to governance, civil society, academia, and industry to examine key bilateral topics such as trade, security, environmental protection, energy transitions, and multilateral governance.
Who can apply
Applicants must be legal citizens of the United States and hold a valid U.S. passport that expires at least six months after the planned end date of the fellowship. Candidates must be mid-career professionals with demonstrated career growth, significant accomplishments, at least a bachelor degree or academic equivalent, and a strong career commitment to foreign policy with an interest in U.S.-Canada relations. Prior experience living, working, or researching in Canada is not required, and individuals from various sectors including academia, government and military, business and private industry, NGOs and think tanks, and journalism and media are encouraged to apply. Preference is given to qualified candidates who have not previously received a Council on Foreign Relations fellowship.
What you get
Successful candidates receive a stipend of $110,000 for a twelve-month duration, which is prorated for projects lasting between six and eleven months. The program also includes a modest travel grant to help offset relocation and project-related research travel costs. The Council on Foreign Relations assists fellows in identifying and securing host organizations, though final placement choices are determined by the host institution. Participants are classified as independent contractors rather than formal employees, meaning they do not receive employment benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions.
Requirements
Participants must fulfill a full-time, in-person residency requirement by working on-site at their Canadian host organization for a minimum of four days per week throughout the term. Applicants must submit an online dossier containing biographical and professional data, a project proposal detailing research questions, methodology, policy relevance, and target Canadian host organizations, and two formal letters of recommendation from professional references or senior colleagues.
How to apply
Candidates must submit their complete application dossier online through the official application system before the specified deadline. The application requires personal and professional history details, the project proposal, and two letters of support addressing the applicant's qualifications and proposal viability.
Key dates
Applications open on September 8 and must be submitted by October 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants will be notified of the results in Spring 2027, and fellowship tenures begin in Autumn 2027.