Please note: The announcement of the 2008 Global Youth Fellows can be found here. The guidelines below are provided for reference purposes only. Our sincere thanks to all those who submitted an application or wrote reference letters.

2008 Global Youth Fellowship Guidelines

About the Fellowship Programme
Criteria and Fellowship Activities
Timeline
Application Process
Expectations of Fellows en français
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Past Fellows
Current Fellows

_________________________________________________________________

About the Fellowship Programme

Background and purpose:

In 2005, the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation launched a new programme of grant making called Global Citizenship. One objective of this programme is "to support initiatives that educate young Canadians about key international aid, security and development challenges and engage them in the pursuit of practical, just and sustainable solutions."

In 2006, as a complement to its grant making activities, the Foundation initiated the Global Youth Fellowship programme. The fellowship programme is targeted towards young and emerging leaders in Canada who have demonstrated a commitment to international issues. The fellowship provides financial as well as other forms of support that enable recipients to deepen their understanding of global policy issues.

Bios and projects of current and past fellows can be found here.

Fellowship objectives:

To celebrate the commitment of young Canadians to global issues
To identify emerging, young Canadian leaders with the potential to make a constructive contribution to Canada's role in the world
To enable young, emerging leaders to further and deepen their understanding of a specific global policy issue
To support and encourage emerging leaders to develop and advance creative and innovative approaches to global challenges

A long term goal of the fellowship is to develop a cadre of Canadians with a deep understanding of global policy issues who will exercise leadership roles whether in non-governmental organizations or the private or public sectors.

Components of the fellowship:

A.  Financial support:
     - A cash award of $20,000 will be provided to each fellow and paid in
         installments.

B.  Matching with a mentor:
     - Each fellow will identify and be matched with a mentor who has deep
         and extensive experience in the policy field chosen by the fellow.

C.  Networking opportunities:
     - Fellows will be provided with opportunities to network with other
         fellows, mentors, policy-makers and Foundation advisors and associates.

D.  Charitable grant:
     - A grant of $5,000 will be provided to a fellow's employer if the
         organization is a registered Canadian charity.

Criteria and Fellowship Activities

Applicants must meet the following conditions at a minimum.

Eligibility criteria:

Canadian citizens or permanent residents between 24 - 35 years of age
At the minimum an undergraduate degree
At the minimum, one year of full-time work experience
Previous international experience whether on a paid or volunteer basis. This criteria will also be met by applicants who were born and raised abroad.
Not pursuing full-time studies during the course of the fellowship (September 2008 to August 2009)

Selection criteria:

In addition, successful candidates will be selected based on the following:

A sustained commitment to global issues as evidenced by a blend of formal studies, career choices and volunteer activities
A proven track record in participating in collaborative projects and in seeking creative solutions to identified problems
An interest in policy-making as an effective and concrete way to affect positive global change
A statement of intent that identifies a relevant global issue and describes the applicant's learning objective(s), the kind of activities that would be undertaken during the course of the fellowship, a proposed budget and expected outcomes
An ability to communicate effectively the relevance and importance of the proposed project
The strength of the two letters of reference
Please note that applicants for the fellowship in previous years are eligible to apply again but must update and re-submit their application.

In general, short-listed applications:

demonstrate a good grasp of the chosen policy context
identify well-thought out fellowship activities that would lead to a better understanding of policies, gaps and recommendations to enhance Canada's stance and position on specific global issues

Other considerations:

Preference will be given to "emerging" leaders - young Canadians demonstrating leadership potential who have not yet been recognized (e.g. via extensive media attention, other similar awards). While recent university graduates will be considered, they must also have had at least one year of relevant, full-time work experience.

In addition to the above, the Foundation is also committed to ensuring that the Global Youth Fellows are as reflective as possible of Canada's cultural, socio-economic and geographic diversity. As a result, we encourage applications from young Canadians of diverse backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from Aboriginal, rural, northern, LGBTQ, immigrant and visible/ racialized minority youth.

Possible fellowship activities:

In a statement of intent, candidates are asked to identify the kind of activities they propose to undertake during the fellowship that would allow them to deepen their understanding of a global policy issue or advance a possible solution. Such activities could include, for example, a combination of the following:

Job exchange
Research and preparation of newspaper or magazine articles
Volunteer with a relevant institution or organization abroad
Field studies to undertake interviews with relevant stakeholder experts
Active participation in relevant conferences, seminars or workshops

Timeline

Applications received by mail no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, April 10th, 2008
All applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their application by e-mail no later than April 18, 2008
Short-listed candidates will be notified by May 23, 2008
Interviews will be held in Toronto June 9-11, 2008
Successful candidates will be notified by June 18, 2008
The activities proposed as part of the fellowship must be undertaken at some point between September 1st, 2008 and August 31st, 2009

Application Process

Up to 10 fellowships will be awarded in 2008. Candidates will need to be available for a face-to-face or telephone interview, at the Foundation's expense, if short-listed.

In order to be considered for the fellowship, qualified candidates must ensure that complete applications are submitted to the Foundation by the deadline:
5:00 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, April 10^th, 2008

Hard copies of the following four (4) elements must be received (not postmarked) at the address below by the deadline. Your complete application package should be mailed to:

Selection Committee - Global Youth Fellowships
The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation
11 Church Street, Suite 400
Toronto, ON M5E 1W1

1. Application Form

This copy of the application form is provided for information purposes only.

2. Resume

Please submit a comprehensive resume which provides details of your
relevant education, professional and volunteer experience (2 - 3 pages).

3. Statement of Intent

     Your application should include a personal statement of intent of up to
     1600 words. The statement will be used by the selection committee
     members to shortlist and should include the following:

The reasons you believe yourself to be qualified to receive a fellowship
The specific global policy issue(s) that would serve as the focus of your fellowship
The kinds of activities you would hope to undertake during the course of the fellowship
The outcomes you would expect to achieve as a result of the fellowship including your personal learning goals
A budget outlining how you would expect to allocate the fellowship grant
Name(s) of your "ideal" or preferred mentor(s)
Any additional information you believe relevant

4. Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation must be submitted from individuals:

with personal knowledge of the candidate and
who can speak to the candidate's eigibility based on the fellowship criteria

     Referees are requested to include their full contact information in the
     letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be
     submitted together with the rest of the application package.

Letter from your employer

     If applicants are employed at the time of the application and expect to be
     employed during the course of the fellowship, one of the letters should
     be from their employer.

Expectations of fellows

As a condition of receiving a fellowship, successful candidates must commit to:

Using the cash award solely to undertake activities related to the fellowship
Identifying and working with a mentor
Submitting an interim report at the mid-point of the fellowship
Participating in networking opportunities provided as part of the fellowship and funded by the Foundation. The first networking event will be held in September 2008.
Preparing a final report in which "learnings" are shared and disseminated to a wider audience

Some fellows may choose to use the award to support a temporary, unpaid leave of absence from their current employer. The fellowship is not intended as an income replacement programme, however. It is anticipated that most fellows will combine their fellowship commitments with their ongoing professional responsibilities.

FAQ

1. Would a Canadian currently living, working or volunteering abroad be
eligible to apply for the fellowship?

Yes, as long as you make yourself available for a phone interview if you are short-listed. In addition, if selected, you would be required to attend 3 meetings with the other fellows at the Foundation's expense. The dates will be provided to you in advance.

2. Are students eligible to apply?

If you expect to be a full-time student during the course of the fellowship year (September 2008– August 2009), then you will not be eligible to apply. Part-time or casual students may be eligible for the fellowship if they satisfy all of the other criteria.

3. What is the working language of the fellowship programme?

Candidates are invited to submit their applications in either French or English; however, the working language of the fellowship programme will be English.

4. Do you have any criteria for referees?

We recommend that you seek a letter of reference from someone who knows you well and can speak to your eligibility based on the fellowship criteria. These might include, for example, your current or former employer, one of your university professors, or someone from a voluntary organization (in Canada or abroad) that you have been associated with.

5. What kinds of projects were not short-listed in the past?

While this is not an exhaustive list, here are examples of proposed
projects that did not qualify in previous years:

main proposed fellowship activity was to run a project and/or provide a service (for example community development, arts, medical/health, income generation) in an international context with no clear link to public policy considerations
plans to use the Fellowship award, for the most part, in lieu of a grant to a new or an existing organization (organizational development purpose)
plans to use the Fellowship to subsidize current position within an NGO/coalition
projects that focus exclusively on Canada's domestic policies
projects that aim solely to change another country's domestic policies

6. What is the mentoring component?

Applicants are asked to include name(s) of their ideal mentors in their statement of intent. At this initial stage of the application, applicants do not need to contact or secure their potential mentor(s).
Who can be a mentor? Individuals with substantial expertise in the identified area of interest and from whom the fellows believe they would have much to learn. Applicants may or may not know their ideal mentors personally.
What role will mentors play? Mentors will be asked to make themselves available, on a reasonable basis, to meet with and otherwise provide advice and guidance to the fellows. Mentors will also be invited and encouraged to participate in fellow networking events at the Foundation's expense. The foundation is prepared to assist fellows in securing the participation of their preferred mentors.

7. If I am selected, when and how can my employer access the
charitable grant provided to the fellow's employer?

Employers of selected candidates will be eligible for a $5,000 grant only if they are a registered Canadian charity. The grant will be processed as soon as the fellowship agreement is signed between the fellow and the Gordon Foundation.

8. If I am selected, will I have an opportunity to meet other fellows?

Yes, the Foundation is planning to hold the first introductory/networking meeting for fellows in September 2008.

9. Why do I need to submit a budget? Can the budget be changed during the
course of the fellowship?

The budget is intended to provide the selection committee with more information about your proposed fellowship activities and a general overview of how you intend to allocate the funds. It may be adapted during the course of the fellowship year in conversation with the programme manager.

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Home About Us Grant Programmes Publications and Links How to Apply	Please note: The announcement of the 2008 Global Youth Fellows can be found here. The guidelines below are provided for reference purposes only. Our sincere thanks to all those who submitted an application or wrote reference letters. 2008 Global Youth Fellowship Guidelines About the Fellowship Programme Criteria and Fellowship Activities Timeline Application Process Expectations of Fellows en français Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Past Fellows Current Fellows _________________________________________________________________ About the Fellowship Programme Background and purpose: In 2005, the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation launched a new programme of grant making called Global Citizenship. One objective of this programme is "to support initiatives that educate young Canadians about key international aid, security and development challenges and engage them in the pursuit of practical, just and sustainable solutions." In 2006, as a complement to its grant making activities, the Foundation initiated the Global Youth Fellowship programme. The fellowship programme is targeted towards young and emerging leaders in Canada who have demonstrated a commitment to international issues. The fellowship provides financial as well as other forms of support that enable recipients to deepen their understanding of global policy issues. Bios and projects of current and past fellows can be found here. Fellowship objectives: To celebrate the commitment of young Canadians to global issues To identify emerging, young Canadian leaders with the potential to make a constructive contribution to Canada's role in the world To enable young, emerging leaders to further and deepen their understanding of a specific global policy issue To support and encourage emerging leaders to develop and advance creative and innovative approaches to global challenges A long term goal of the fellowship is to develop a cadre of Canadians with a deep understanding of global policy issues who will exercise leadership roles whether in non-governmental organizations or the private or public sectors. Components of the fellowship: A. Financial support: - A cash award of $20,000 will be provided to each fellow and paid in installments. B. Matching with a mentor: - Each fellow will identify and be matched with a mentor who has deep and extensive experience in the policy field chosen by the fellow. C. Networking opportunities: - Fellows will be provided with opportunities to network with other fellows, mentors, policy-makers and Foundation advisors and associates. D. Charitable grant: - A grant of $5,000 will be provided to a fellow's employer if the organization is a registered Canadian charity. Criteria and Fellowship Activities Applicants must meet the following conditions at a minimum. Eligibility criteria: Canadian citizens or permanent residents between 24 - 35 years of age At the minimum an undergraduate degree At the minimum, one year of full-time work experience Previous international experience whether on a paid or volunteer basis. This criteria will also be met by applicants who were born and raised abroad. Not pursuing full-time studies during the course of the fellowship (September 2008 to August 2009) Selection criteria: In addition, successful candidates will be selected based on the following: A sustained commitment to global issues as evidenced by a blend of formal studies, career choices and volunteer activities A proven track record in participating in collaborative projects and in seeking creative solutions to identified problems An interest in policy-making as an effective and concrete way to affect positive global change A statement of intent that identifies a relevant global issue and describes the applicant's learning objective(s), the kind of activities that would be undertaken during the course of the fellowship, a proposed budget and expected outcomes An ability to communicate effectively the relevance and importance of the proposed project The strength of the two letters of reference Please note that applicants for the fellowship in previous years are eligible to apply again but must update and re-submit their application. In general, short-listed applications: demonstrate a good grasp of the chosen policy context identify well-thought out fellowship activities that would lead to a better understanding of policies, gaps and recommendations to enhance Canada's stance and position on specific global issues Other considerations: Preference will be given to "emerging" leaders - young Canadians demonstrating leadership potential who have not yet been recognized (e.g. via extensive media attention, other similar awards). While recent university graduates will be considered, they must also have had at least one year of relevant, full-time work experience. In addition to the above, the Foundation is also committed to ensuring that the Global Youth Fellows are as reflective as possible of Canada's cultural, socio-economic and geographic diversity. As a result, we encourage applications from young Canadians of diverse backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from Aboriginal, rural, northern, LGBTQ, immigrant and visible/ racialized minority youth. Possible fellowship activities: In a statement of intent, candidates are asked to identify the kind of activities they propose to undertake during the fellowship that would allow them to deepen their understanding of a global policy issue or advance a possible solution. Such activities could include, for example, a combination of the following: Job exchange Research and preparation of newspaper or magazine articles Volunteer with a relevant institution or organization abroad Field studies to undertake interviews with relevant stakeholder experts Active participation in relevant conferences, seminars or workshops Timeline Applications received by mail no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, April 10th, 2008 All applicants will receive confirmation of receipt of their application by e-mail no later than April 18, 2008 Short-listed candidates will be notified by May 23, 2008 Interviews will be held in Toronto June 9-11, 2008 Successful candidates will be notified by June 18, 2008 The activities proposed as part of the fellowship must be undertaken at some point between September 1st, 2008 and August 31st, 2009 Application Process Up to 10 fellowships will be awarded in 2008. Candidates will need to be available for a face-to-face or telephone interview, at the Foundation's expense, if short-listed. In order to be considered for the fellowship, qualified candidates must ensure that complete applications are submitted to the Foundation by the deadline: 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, April 10^th, 2008 Hard copies of the following four (4) elements must be received (not postmarked) at the address below by the deadline. Your complete application package should be mailed to: Selection Committee - Global Youth Fellowships The Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation 11 Church Street, Suite 400 Toronto, ON M5E 1W1 1. Application Form This copy of the application form is provided for information purposes only. 2. Resume Please submit a comprehensive resume which provides details of your relevant education, professional and volunteer experience (2 - 3 pages). 3. Statement of Intent Your application should include a personal statement of intent of up to 1600 words. The statement will be used by the selection committee members to shortlist and should include the following: The reasons you believe yourself to be qualified to receive a fellowship The specific global policy issue(s) that would serve as the focus of your fellowship The kinds of activities you would hope to undertake during the course of the fellowship The outcomes you would expect to achieve as a result of the fellowship including your personal learning goals A budget outlining how you would expect to allocate the fellowship grant Name(s) of your "ideal" or preferred mentor(s) Any additional information you believe relevant 4. Letters of Recommendation Two letters of recommendation must be submitted from individuals: with personal knowledge of the candidate and who can speak to the candidate's eigibility based on the fellowship criteria Referees are requested to include their full contact information in the letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be submitted together with the rest of the application package. Letter from your employer If applicants are employed at the time of the application and expect to be employed during the course of the fellowship, one of the letters should be from their employer. Expectations of fellows As a condition of receiving a fellowship, successful candidates must commit to: Using the cash award solely to undertake activities related to the fellowship Identifying and working with a mentor Submitting an interim report at the mid-point of the fellowship Participating in networking opportunities provided as part of the fellowship and funded by the Foundation. The first networking event will be held in September 2008. Preparing a final report in which "learnings" are shared and disseminated to a wider audience Some fellows may choose to use the award to support a temporary, unpaid leave of absence from their current employer. The fellowship is not intended as an income replacement programme, however. It is anticipated that most fellows will combine their fellowship commitments with their ongoing professional responsibilities. FAQ 1. Would a Canadian currently living, working or volunteering abroad be eligible to apply for the fellowship? Yes, as long as you make yourself available for a phone interview if you are short-listed. In addition, if selected, you would be required to attend 3 meetings with the other fellows at the Foundation's expense. The dates will be provided to you in advance. 2. Are students eligible to apply? If you expect to be a full-time student during the course of the fellowship year (September 2008– August 2009), then you will not be eligible to apply. Part-time or casual students may be eligible for the fellowship if they satisfy all of the other criteria. 3. What is the working language of the fellowship programme? Candidates are invited to submit their applications in either French or English; however, the working language of the fellowship programme will be English. 4. Do you have any criteria for referees? We recommend that you seek a letter of reference from someone who knows you well and can speak to your eligibility based on the fellowship criteria. These might include, for example, your current or former employer, one of your university professors, or someone from a voluntary organization (in Canada or abroad) that you have been associated with. 5. What kinds of projects were not short-listed in the past? While this is not an exhaustive list, here are examples of proposed projects that did not qualify in previous years: main proposed fellowship activity was to run a project and/or provide a service (for example community development, arts, medical/health, income generation) in an international context with no clear link to public policy considerations plans to use the Fellowship award, for the most part, in lieu of a grant to a new or an existing organization (organizational development purpose) plans to use the Fellowship to subsidize current position within an NGO/coalition projects that focus exclusively on Canada's domestic policies projects that aim solely to change another country's domestic policies 6. What is the mentoring component? Applicants are asked to include name(s) of their ideal mentors in their statement of intent. At this initial stage of the application, applicants do not need to contact or secure their potential mentor(s). Who can be a mentor? Individuals with substantial expertise in the identified area of interest and from whom the fellows believe they would have much to learn. Applicants may or may not know their ideal mentors personally. What role will mentors play? Mentors will be asked to make themselves available, on a reasonable basis, to meet with and otherwise provide advice and guidance to the fellows. Mentors will also be invited and encouraged to participate in fellow networking events at the Foundation's expense. The foundation is prepared to assist fellows in securing the participation of their preferred mentors. 7. If I am selected, when and how can my employer access the charitable grant provided to the fellow's employer? Employers of selected candidates will be eligible for a $5,000 grant only if they are a registered Canadian charity. The grant will be processed as soon as the fellowship agreement is signed between the fellow and the Gordon Foundation. 8. If I am selected, will I have an opportunity to meet other fellows? Yes, the Foundation is planning to hold the first introductory/networking meeting for fellows in September 2008. 9. Why do I need to submit a budget? Can the budget be changed during the course of the fellowship? The budget is intended to provide the selection committee with more information about your proposed fellowship activities and a general overview of how you intend to allocate the funds. It may be adapted during the course of the fellowship year in conversation with the programme manager. Top of Page
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