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Call for Applications: John H. MacArthur Research Fellowship 2026‑27

Shifts and opportunities in Canada’s Indo-Pacific engagement

Application deadline: Sunday, 21 June 2026, 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time
Fellowship period: 1 September 2026 – 30 August 2027

About the Fellowship

The John H. MacArthur Research Fellowship, established by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), honours the legacy of the late John H. MacArthur—former Chair of APF Canada’s Board of Directors and Dean Emeritus of Harvard Business School. The fellowship supports mid‑career scholars whose work advances understanding of Canada’s engagement with the Indo‑Pacific.

Fellowship Benefits

Grant: CAD 25,000 (disbursed in two instalments)
Research platform: Publication support from APF Canada for a flagship paper and two policy briefs/op‑eds
Policy access: Closed‑door briefing in Ottawa with federal officials
Visibility: Presentation at the Toronto Symposium

Focus Areas (Applicants are welcome to submit proposals beyond the identified priority areas)

Economic Security and Trade: energy security and trade diversification
Technology and Innovation: technological advancement and its strategic implications
Indo-Pacific Geopolitics: Canada’s evolving regional relationships and middle power security cooperation
Defence Industry: procurement and industrial resilience
Arctic and Northeast Asia Security: emerging strategic and economic dynamics across interconnected regions

Eligibility

Citizenship/Residency

Open to Canadian citizens/permanent residents and U.S. citizens/permanent residents

Career Stage

7–15 years post‑PhD (or equivalent policy experience)

Discipline

Political science, economics, public policy, law, business, security studies, or related fields

Engagement

Willingness to participate in public‑facing events, media, and collaborative cohort activities

Application Package (single PDF, max 10 MB)

Cover Letter (1 page) – motivation and relevance to fellowship theme
Research Proposal (max 3 pages) – objectives, methodology, timeline, policy impact
Curriculum Vitae (max 4 pages) – education, positions, major outputs, public engagement
Writing Sample – published article, chapter, or policy brief

How to Apply

Submit your complete PDF package through APF Canada’s online portal. Click here

Selection Criteria

Originality and policy relevance of the proposed research
Feasibility within the 12‑month fellowship period
Track record of high‑quality scholarship or policy work
Potential to contribute to a better understanding of Indo‑Pacific issues
Commitment to public outreach and knowledge mobilization
Diversity of disciplinary, regional, and gender perspectives

Review and ranking will be conducted by APF Canada.

Key Dates (2026‑27)

Applications due 21 June 2026

Short-list interviews mid July 2026

Fellows announced early August 2026

Fellowship begins September 2026

Interim policy briefs March 2027

Toronto Symposium May 2027

Final Papers and roll-out Summer 2027

Request for Proposal (RFP): Key Stakeholder Interviews on Viet Nam’s National Action Plan on Responsible Business Practices

I. Introduction

The Asia Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), in partnership with Catalyste+ invites proposals from qualified research organizations or consultants to undertake primary data collection through key stakeholder interviews to analyze the current state of responsible business practices in Viet Nam.

This activity is part of the Catalyste+ Innovative Leadership for Equitable and Accessible Democracy (i-LEAD) program in Viet Nam, funded by the Government of Canada. This assignment will contribute to a broader analytical report on the implementation of Viet Nam’s National Action Plan on Responsible Business Practices (RBP) and its implications for enterprise readiness, inclusion, and participation in global supply chains, including under trade frameworks such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

ACCESS THE FULL REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) DOCUMENT HERE

II. About APF Canada and Catalyste+

APF Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization focused on strengthening ties between Canada and Asia through research, education, and convening activities. The Foundation produces a range of research outputs, including reports, policy briefs, case studies, surveys, and digital media, and provides Asia Competency training for Canadian organizations and students.

Catalyste+ is a Canadian economic development organization that provides mentorship and advisory services to strengthen local skills and organizational capacities in emerging countries and Indigenous communities around the world.

III. i-LEAD Program and Research Collaboration

The i-LEAD program, led by Catalyste+, seeks to improve equality and the enjoyment of human rights, particularly by women and marginalized populations, in Viet Nam, the Philippines, and Mongolia, in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada. This will be achieved by enhancing inclusive, transparent, accountable, and gender-responsive national and local government services; and enhancing civic participation and inclusivity of women and marginalized populations in government initiatives and decision-making processes, in these countries.

As part of this initiative, Catalyste+ is collaborating with research partners, including the APF Canada, to generate policy-relevant research and stakeholder insights. The intended audience for the broader analytical report will include Vietnamese and Canadian government stakeholders, businesses leaders, and international partners engaged in trade and supply chain governance.

IV. Description and Objectives of the Analytical Report (Informed by Stakeholder Interviews)

Viet Nam’s integration into global supply chains, is increasingly shaped by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) expectations embedded in international trade systems. The Government of Viet Nam’s National Action Plan on RBP represents a key policy instrument to align domestic governance frameworks with these evolving standards, focusing on priority areas such as investment, labour, vulnerable group protection, environmental protection, and consumer protection.

RBP will have implications for a range of stakeholders, including governments, business owners, employees, civil society organizations (CSOs), and communities. But awareness of these practices and their implications remain fragmented, and the capacity to implement them is limited, particularly for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), which represent the majority of enterprises in Viet Nam. At the same time, there is strong appetite in Viet Nam to support businesses to become more globally competitive and sustainable, to attract investments, and to build strong reputations overseas.

The research project aims to:

Assess how Viet Nam’s National Action Plan on RBP is being implemented across national and provincial institutions and enterprises
Analyze and evaluate coordination mechanisms across ministries and provincial authorities
Evaluate translation of RBP policy into practical guidance and operational practice
Analyze SME awareness, readiness, and constraints in adopting RBP
Examine RBP impact on SME participation in Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) supply chains
Identify implementation gaps and propose actionable policy recommendations

V. Project Scope

The selected consultant will lead key stakeholder interviews and primary data collection in Viet Nam through direct, in-country interviews that contribute to three core dimensions of the broader analytical report:

1. Policy Design & Institutional Coordination

Distribution of roles responsibilities across ministries
Mechanisms for inter-ministerial coordination and reporting
Translation of national policy into provincial implementation

2. RBP Implementation and Enterprise-level Reach

Operationalization of policy into regulatory guidance
Legal reforms and regulatory adjustments
Enterprise level support mechanisms
Monitoring and reporting systems
Institutional constraints

3. SME Readiness, Inclusion, and Trade Integration

Alignment between RBP and CPTPP commitments
Enterprise awareness and adoption of RBP across key trade sectors
Constraints to SME participation in supply chains
Inclusion gap for women-led and marginalized enterprises
Early indicators of RBP impact on SME integration into CPTPP markets

VI. Deliverables & Milestones

The selected partner will be responsible for:

1. Conducting approximately 15-20 semi-structured key stakeholder interviews, with partners across:

National ministries and agencies (e.g. MOJ, MOLISA, MPI, MONRE, MOIT) (5-7 interviews)
Provincial authorities (e.g., Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hanoi) (3-4 interviews)
Business associations (e.g., VCCI, VASME) (2 interviews)
SMEs across trade relevant sectors (e.g., manufacturing, textiles) (6-7 interviews)
Technical experts (optional)

2. Supporting stakeholder mapping and leading respondent recruitment and coordination

3. Producing high-quality research and summary outputs, including:

Detailed interview notes in English
Verbatim or near-verbatim transcripts in English
Structured analytical summaries of findings aligned with the three key analytical dimensions in English

4. Ensuring inclusive sampling approaches, including representation of:

Women-led and marginalized enterprises
Other underrepresented business groups

5. Regular progress updates and participation in coordination calls

VII. Project Timeline

Milestone Date

Project Kick-off - June 2026
Confirm Interview Questions & Script - June 2026
Fieldwork Implementation (Interviews) - June-July 2026
Submission of Outputs - July 27, 2026

These timelines may be refined in consultation with the selected consultant.

VIII. Qualifications & Requirements

Interested consultants must be eligible to work and conduct in-person interviews regionally and nationally within Viet Nam in Vietnamese, and should demonstrate:

Proven experience in policy research, ESG, governance, or trade
Strong qualitative analysis and interview expertise
Familiarity with trade frameworks and supply chain dynamics (CPTPP knowledge is a strong asset)
Established networks with relevant stakeholders (strong asset)
Experience working in Viet Nam or similar contexts
Ability to apply inclusive and gender-responsive research approaches

IX. Budget

Proponents are encouraged to propose the most cost-effective approach and to clearly articulate any scope trade-offs or alternative design options.

X. Proposal Submission

Qualified consultants should submit a proposal in ONE MERGED PDF file, including:

Please click here to apply

1. Technical Proposal

Stakeholder engagement, interview, and analysis strategy
Work plan and timeline
Key personnel and qualifications

2. Financial Proposal

Total cost in VND
Detailed breakdown of costs (including cost-per-interview and translation costs, if needed)

3. Relevant Experience

Examples of similar projects completed
Reference(s) from past client(s)
Sample outputs to showcase past work

XI. Submission Deadline:

Proposals must be submitted no later than Monday, May 25, at 17:00 Indochina Time (ICT) with the subject line: “Proposal – Key Stakeholder Interviews on Viet Nam’s National Action Plan on Responsible Business Practices.”

XII. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

Relevance and quality of interview and analysis strategy (30%)
Qualifications and experience of the consultant (30%)
Feasibility of the work plan and timeline (20%)
Cost-effectiveness and value for money (20%)

XIII. Contact Information

For any inquiries regarding this RFP, please contact:

Mari Naganuma, Program Manager, i-LEAD

Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

Email: Mari.Naganuma@asiapacific.ca

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APF Canada and Catalyste+ look forward to receiving your proposals and working with partners to generate evidence-based insights on responsible business practices and Viet Nam’s engagement in global supply chains.