The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) invites applications for the 2025–2026 John H. McArthur Research Fellowship, an initiative supporting original, policy-relevant research on Canada’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific.
About the Fellowship
Established in 2021 to honour the legacy of the late Dr. John H. McArthur — former Chair of APF Canada’s Board of Directors and Dean Emeritus of Harvard Business School — the Fellowship supports mid-career scholars conducting forward-looking research on the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the Indo-Pacific region.
For the 2025–2026 cycle, the Fellowship has been expanded to support four Fellows whose work explores the intersection of Canada–U.S. relations and Indo-Pacific engagement. This year’s program responds to the shifting global order, renewed trade and security uncertainty, and Canada’s evolving strategic priorities.
We welcome applications from scholars whose work addresses topics such as:
- Regional security and strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific
- Canada–U.S. policy alignment on trade, technology, or critical minerals
- Critical minerals strategy and resource security
- Supply chain resilience and economic diversification
- Digital trade governance and emerging technology standards
- New institutional or diplomatic frameworks for Canada’s Indo-Pacific engagement
- Defence industrial base co-operation and regional security frameworks
Fellowship Details
- Number of Fellowships: 4
- Grant Amount: C$25,000 per Fellow
- Term: September 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026
- Deliverables:
- 1 flagship research paper (6–8,000 words)
- 2 policy briefs or op-eds
- 1 closed-door briefing in Ottawa
- Participation in an in-person symposium in Toronto (April 2026)
- Media interviews or public engagement
Eligibility
- Mid-career professionals with 10–20 years of academic, policy, or relevant field experience
- Applicants from academic, think tank, public policy, or international affairs backgrounds
- Canadian or U.S. citizens or permanent residents are preferred, but applications from other qualified candidates whose work aligns with the Fellowship’s aims will also be considered
Application Requirements
- A statement of interest (max. 500 words)
- CV (including publication list)
- A short research proposal (1,000–1,200 words) outlining the topic, methods, expected outcomes, and relevance to the Fellowship theme
- Two reference letters (academic or professional)
Submission Deadline: August 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT
Applications and inquiries should be submitted to erin.williams@asiapacific.ca
Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a brief virtual interview. Final decisions will be announced in early September 2025.
