The International Youth Fellowship Program is a nine-month professional-development program run by Aga Khan Foundation Canada. It begins with three weeks of pre-departure training in Ottawa and continues with an eight-month placement at an Aga Khan Development Network agency or partner in Africa or Asia.
Applicants choose the International Development Management or International Microfinance and Microenterprise stream and apply for a placement suited to their background. Applications for the 2026–27 cohort are closed.
Benefits & funding
- AKFC covers most overseas living and working costs, including travel, accommodation, vaccinations, and health insurance.
- Fellows receive a modest stipend for living costs.
- Each Fellow is paired with an alumni mentor during the placement.
- Successful candidates must contribute CAD 1,000 once toward Fellowship costs.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be Canadian citizens or Canadian permanent residents.
- Applicants must be 18–30 years old on or before February 1, 2026.
- Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution by April 30, 2026, with a strong academic record.
- Fellows cannot be enrolled in an educational program from May 2026 through February 2027.
- Applicants must demonstrate commitment to international development through volunteer, professional, or academic experience.
- Applicants must be fluent in English and provide the required CV, degree, transcript, and reference documentation.
- Previous applicants may apply once per recruitment cycle, but former AKFC Fellows cannot participate again.
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.
Education required
Bachelor · Master · PhD
Age requirement
18–30 yrs
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Application process
- 1When applications open, create an account in AKFC’s Submittable portal.
- 2Choose either the IDM or IMM stream; applicants may indicate willingness to be considered for the other stream but must submit only one application.
- 3Complete the form and upload the required documents by the application deadline.
- 4Arrange the requested references; the 2026–27 timeline listed two references due by February 8, 2026.
- 5Shortlisted candidates interview in March or April, and successful candidates receive a placement offer.
Program timeline
Online application launched
November 24, 2025
Application deadline
February 1, 2026
Two references due
February 8, 2026
Interviews
March–April 2026
Offers issued
April 2026
Tentative pre-departure training in Ottawa
May 27–June 19, 2026
Fellows depart for placements
July 1, 2026
Placements end
February 28, 2027