International Policy Ideas Challenge 2026

📝 About

The Government of Canada International Policy Ideas Challenge offers applicants an opportunity to test their skills in translating academic expertise into policy language and actionable insights.

Applicants are invited to submit brief proposals, and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) will select between 5 and 10 submissions. Winning candidates will receive coaching and mentoring to further develop their proposals into full policy briefs with actionable recommendations.

🎁 Benefits

• Financial Award:

  • Between 5 and 10 awards will be granted.
  • Each winning proposal will receive $5,000 upon formal presentation and submission of the final brief to GAC and SSHRC.

• Coaching and Mentoring:

  • Winners will receive mandatory coaching and mentoring as a team on research, policy analysis, and presentation skills.
  • Sessions will include group and one-on-one mentoring with subject-matter experts.
  • Instruction will be provided in the official language of the application, and all sessions will be delivered online.

• Enhanced Understanding:

  • Winners will gain deeper insights into GAC, SSHRC, and Canada’s international policies relevant to their areas of specialization.
  • Participants will learn how to prepare policy briefs, develop policy recommendations, and present ideas to policymakers effectively.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

The International Policy Ideas Challenge invites applications from:

• Graduate Students:
  • Current Master’s or PhD students enrolled at a recognized Canadian or international post-secondary institution.
• Post-Doctoral Fellows:
  • Researchers affiliated with a Canadian non-profit organization (e.g., NGO or think tank) within 6 years of graduation from a graduate program at a recognized post-secondary institution.
• Citizenship:
  • Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
• Team Applications:
  • Teams of up to 3 members are permitted, but a lead researcher must be identified.
  • Collaborators from other universities are allowed, provided all team members meet the eligibility requirements.

Note:

• Indeterminate and term employees of the Government of Canada are not eligible to apply.
• Employees of GAC, including students and casuals, are also not eligible to apply.

📅 Application Date and Process

Required Documents:

To apply, send the following items as PDF file attachments to IPIC-CIPI.OIH-POA@international.gc.ca:

1. Proposal:
   • Not to exceed 750 words, signed by the lead researcher.
   • Include the lead applicant’s first and last names in the upper right-hand corner of the proposal.
2. Curriculum Vitae:
   • Include contact information for the lead researcher.
3. Enrollment Verification:
   • University-issued verification or most recently completed graduate degree.
   • GAC reserves the right to request an official transcript.
4. Letter of Reference:
   • One confidential letter (academic or professional) from a supervisor familiar with the lead applicant’s research skills.
   • The referee must send this directly to IPIC-CIPI.OIH-POA@international.gc.ca.
5. Biographies:
   • Biography of the lead researcher and, if applicable, short biographies of collaborators.

Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals will be assessed by a selection committee based on:

• Quality, relevance, feasibility, and originality of the idea.
• Capability and qualifications of the individual(s) to carry the idea through research and policy brief phases.
• Higher weighting will be awarded to proposals that explore topics with an integrated and crosscutting approach, combining foreign, economic, and international assistance policy dimensions.

📌 Application Deadline

02 March, 2026

🌐 Application Portal

For more details, visit the Government of Canada International Policy Ideas Challenge.

📧 Contact Information

For inquiries or to submit your application, email: IPIC-CIPI.OIH-POA@international.gc.ca

• Between 5 and 10 awards will be granted. For each winning proposal, $5,000 will be provided to the lead (or sole) researcher upon formal presentation and submission of the final brief to GAC and SSHRC.
• All winners will receive mandatory coaching/mentoring as a team on their research, policy analysis and presentation skills, including group and one-on-one sessions with a subject-matter expert.
• Winners will have a deeper understanding of GAC, SSHRC and Canada’s international policies relevant to their areas of specialization, and will learn how to prepare a policy brief, develop policy recommendations and present their ideas to policymakers in a compelling manner.