The Indo-Pacific Young Leaders Program (IPYL) is run by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) and supported by the Government of Canada. Launched in January 2025, it aims to cultivate long-term “Canada competence” among the region’s next generation of foreign-policy influencers by deepening their relationships and connections with Canada. Each one-year cohort brings together early- to mid-career professionals from across the Indo-Pacific whose work touches the priorities of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
The current 2026–2027 cohort is made up of 15 professionals from across the Indo-Pacific region. The program is non-degree and non-resident: most engagement happens virtually, anchored by a single in-person week in Canada.
Benefits & funding
- A one-week familiarization visit to Canada, including meetings with key decision-makers and government officials.
- Monthly virtual briefings on Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
- Participation in APF Canada events, such as the annual Canada-in-Asia Conference in Singapore.
- Opportunities to contribute written analyses.
- Network development with Canadian officials, industry leaders, and regional experts.
- Funding from APF Canada is limited to airfare, hotel, per diem, and other incidental expenses for the duration of the Canada visit. Canadian visa application fees (if applicable), travel insurance, and other travel-related costs are the participant’s responsibility.
Eligibility
- Restricted to early- to mid-career professionals based in the Indo-Pacific region — it is not open to applicants from outside the region.
- Aged 25–39.
- Typically already embedded in government ministries, regional organizations (e.g. ASEAN), think-tanks, media outlets, and universities.
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in government, international or regional organizations, think-tanks, media outlets, business, or academia.
- Expertise aligned with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy priorities — regional security, innovation, emerging technology, space, energy security, and sustainable development.
- Economies represented in the current 2026–2027 cohort include Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Malaysia; the full eligible roster spans the wider Indo-Pacific but is not currently published on the program page.
- The program page states no explicit degree threshold; the cohort’s seniority indicates applicants generally hold at least an undergraduate degree.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Residence required
Australia · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Brunei · Cambodia · China · Hong Kong · India · Indonesia · Japan · Laos · Malaysia
+ 28 more
Maldives · Mongolia · Myanmar · Nepal · New Zealand · Pakistan · Philippines · Singapore · South Korea · Sri Lanka · Taiwan · Thailand · Timor-Leste · Vietnam · Fiji · Papua New Guinea · Solomon Islands · Vanuatu · Samoa · Tonga · Kiribati · Tuvalu · Nauru · Palau · Marshall Islands · Micronesia · Cook Islands · Niue
Education required
Bachelor
Experience required
≥ 5 yrs
Age requirement
25–39 yrs
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Application process
- 1Watch APF Canada’s employment-opportunities page for the Call for Applications when a cohort cycle is open.
- 2Submit the requested application materials before the stated deadline.
- 3Selected applicants are invited to join the cohort for the one-year program.
Program timeline
Program launched — inaugural cohort of 15 professionals from eight Indo-Pacific economies.
January 2025
Most recent application deadline (2026–2027 cohort).
Dec 9, 2025
Current cohort runs (15 professionals from across the Indo-Pacific).
2026–2027