Fellowship

While many Fellows study political science, others come from fields like business, science, communications, law, and the arts. Most have some political volunteer experience, whether through election campaigns at any level, involvement with a local riding association or elected official, or participation in a campus political club. The Fellowship brings together students from across Canada with a wide range of academic, cultural, regional, partisan, and religious backgrounds.

No, the Fellowship is an unpaid opportunity. However, CJPAC covers costs associated with the program, including travel, accommodations, and meals for the national conference, as well as all programming throughout the year.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be enrolled full-time or part-time in an undergraduate, graduate, or college program at a Canadian post-secondary institution for both semesters of the 2025–2026 academic year
• Be in their second year of post-secondary education or higher
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (exchange students are not eligible)
• Be available to attend all days of the national Fellowship conference, without exception

The Fellowship runs over a full academic year, beginning in early November and continuing through the end of May. All accepted applicants must be available to attend the in-person conference in November without exception. In addition to the conference, bi-weekly Zoom sessions take place on Sunday evenings. The full schedule will be shared in November.

To apply, complete the online application form, submit short written responses, and upload an up-to-date resume. Including a political reference is strongly encouraged but not mandatory. A political reference could be an elected official, Senator, candidate, campus club president, campaign team member, or a director from an Electoral District Association.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview, which may take place by phone, Zoom, or in person. Final decisions will be communicated by mid-September. Please note that due to the volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted.

The Fellowship year kicks off with an in-person conference in November, where Fellows take part in advanced political training, hear from high-profile speakers, and collaborate on a group project that puts their campaign skills into action. 

Throughout the academic year, Fellows are required to attend bi-weekly Sunday evening Zoom sessions at 7:00 pm EST. They must also plan and run a campus event that promotes political engagement in their community. 

While the program is intensive, it’s also an incredible opportunity to deepen your understanding of Canadian democracy and gain skills that truly make an impact. Fellows build strong relationships with elected officials and political staff, while also forming a powerful network of peers who support one another through school and into their careers. Fellows also have opportunities to attend CJPAC events, political gatherings, and other conferences throughout the year. 

About one third of our alumni each year go on to work in politics. Many serve in government, manage campaigns, advise elected officials, or work in political advocacy and communications across party lines. This real-world impact is one of the strongest testaments to the value of the Fellowship experience. 

Yes. Participation in all Sunday evening training sessions and events is required. There are no opportunities to make up missed programming. If you anticipate a conflict due to work or serious personal circumstances, please speak with our National Director of Outreach & Programming, Michelle Dor, in advance. Unexplained absences may result in removal from the program. As any CJPAC Fellow alum will tell you, this program is a privilege. We expect you to treat it that way.

Successful applicants are willing to fully commit themselves and engage in all training and development opportunities and volunteer activities. They will work to develop professional relationships with CJPAC staff and guest speakers, as well as other Fellows.

In order to get the most out of the Fellowship experience it is important to have a number of interests and extra-curricular activities. However, our experience has shown that those who are over committed tend not to be able to give the Fellowship the focus it requires and therefore they miss out on the opportunities the program provides.

The in-person Fellowship Conference in Ottawa will take place in mid-November. The full schedule of bi-weekly Sunday evening training sessions will be shared with accepted Fellows at the start of the program.

Yes. While political experience is not required, the strongest applications usually include some involvement. Even a few hours volunteering on a campaign, supporting a candidate, or joining a campus political club can make a meaningful difference.

Yes. With only 50 spots available each year, competition is high. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to ask for feedback and work on strengthening their application. Volunteering, participating in political or CJPAC events, and pursuing additional training are all great ways to grow your leadership skills and improve your chances next year. 

We are committed to building a diverse Fellowship cohort each year. We look for individuals with strong communication and interpersonal skills who are eager to learn, comfortable collaborating across political lines, and ready to commit their time and energy to political engagement. Successful candidates are grounded in Canadian values such as democracy, respectful dialogue, and inclusion, and they share a commitment to combating antisemitism and all forms of hatred.