1834 Fellowship | Leaders of Today

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About this opportunity

Research confirms that Black Canadians continue to be significantly underrepresented in civic leadership roles, including senior public service, elected office, regulatory bodies and the gateway professions to civic leadership roles, such as law, public policy and business. Research also confirms that this chronic under-representation of Black people in civic leadership roles has taken a serious toll on the engagement of Black Canadian youth in Canada's civic life.

The 1834 Foundation was created to help reverse this trend and to help create a new generation of Black civic and international leaders.

Mission: Advance Black communities in Canada by training young leaders for public service and policy.

Selects 20 high‑potential Black youth annually.
Provides mentorship, civic leadership training, and exposure to policymakers.
Includes weekend policy mixers and a two‑day summit with public leaders.
Fellows commit to civic leadership roles and career development in Canada.

Who can apply

Permanent resident or Canadian citizenship
Black/African Descent
Age 18-25
Available for policy mixers and networking events
Available for weekend conference
Available for weekend intensive policy program in Toronto or Ottawa (depending on the year).
Eligible candidates must apply using the secure online 1834 Fellowship application system. Each candidate will be asked to submit the following documents to support their application:
A cover letter and resume includes the following information: Contact information, education, employment experience, extracurricular and volunteer activities.
Contact information for letters of reference: Candidates must provide at least TWO letters of reference in support of their application. ➤ One referee should be academic, and one must be from an employer or community member. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that letters are submitted prior to the application deadline. If referees would like to submit letters of reference directly, they may send the letters to programs@1834foundation.ca.
All applications are strictly private and confidential.
Candidates are selected by a committee comprised of 1834 Foundation Board and advisory members.
The Selection Committee will review all applications completed by the January 31 submission deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their application is complete.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews in February or early March. All candidates will be notified about their application status by the end of March.

About this opportunity

The 1834 Foundation was created to help reverse this trend and to help create a new generation of Black civic and international leaders.

Mission: Advance Black communities in Canada by training young leaders for public service and policy.

Selects 20 high‑potential Black youth annually.
Provides mentorship, civic leadership training, and exposure to policymakers.
Includes weekend policy mixers and a two‑day summit with public leaders.
Fellows commit to civic leadership roles and career development in Canada.

Who can apply

Permanent resident or Canadian citizenship
Black/African Descent
Age 18-25
Available for policy mixers and networking events
Available for weekend conference
Available for weekend intensive policy program in Toronto or Ottawa (depending on the year).
Eligible candidates must apply using the secure online 1834 Fellowship application system. Each candidate will be asked to submit the following documents to support their application:
A cover letter and resume includes the following information: Contact information, education, employment experience, extracurricular and volunteer activities.
Contact information for letters of reference: Candidates must provide at least TWO letters of reference in support of their application. ➤ One referee should be academic, and one must be from an employer or community member. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that letters are submitted prior to the application deadline. If referees would like to submit letters of reference directly, they may send the letters to programs@1834foundation.ca.
All applications are strictly private and confidential.
Candidates are selected by a committee comprised of 1834 Foundation Board and advisory members.
The Selection Committee will review all applications completed by the January 31 submission deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their application is complete.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews in February or early March. All candidates will be notified about their application status by the end of March.