Apply for the Indo-Pacific Young Leaders (IPYL) Program 2026

Name of the Event: Indo-Pacific Young Leaders Program 2026

Date: January to December 2026

Place: Vancouver, British Columbia (Remote)

Last Date of Application: 9 December 2025

Link to Apply:

Apply Here

The 2026 cohort of Indo-Pacific Young Leaders (IPYL) Program is open to 12 to 15 exceptional young professionals (aged 39 and younger) who are based in Asia. The program will run for approximately one year, from January to December 2026.

The IPYL Program is funded by the Government of Canada and is a key APF Canada initiative to build long-term “Canada competence” among emerging leaders in the Indo-Pacific.

Benefits:

• Participation in a one-week learning tour of Canada in May-June 2026 (exact dates TBC). Funding by APF Canada is limited to airfare, hotel, per diem and other incidental expenses for the duration of the trip. Canadian visa application (if applicable), travel insurance fees and other travel related expenses will be the responsibility of the participant. APF Canada may provide a letter to support visa application, if needed.

• Access to APF Canada's network of policy leaders, diplomats, scholars, and industry experts

• Leadership and policy-skills development opportunities

• Exposure to Canadian institutions, innovation ecosystems, and policy environments

• Ad-hoc opportunities to contribute to APF Canada events, publications, or forums

Eligibility:

Applicants should have strong understanding, experience, and interest in Indo-Pacific affairs in areas such as politics, economics, society, diplomacy, international relations, security, history, and environmental issues.

• Individuals who hold citizenship or permanent residency in an Indo-Pacific country/jurisdiction.

• Undergraduate degree (minimum) in a field such as Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations, Law, Economics, Sociology, History, Geography, Asian Studies, etc. Current graduate students are also eligible.

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in government, international or regional organizations, think-tanks, media outlets, business, or academia.

• Able to facilitate the required travel documents to participate in the learning tour of Canada

Required participation for the program:

• Attend monthly virtual briefings on topics central to Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, ensuring ongoing engagement and continuous learning.

• Participate in a one-week Learning Tour in Canada (May or June 2026, dates TBC)

• Engage constructively with peers and guest speakers

• Represent the program professionally in all activities

• Support alumni programming and remain connected to the network after completion

We are not the official organisers of the program. If you have any queries regarding it, kindly contact the organisers.