Toronto Metropolitan University Canada Future Leaders Fellowship

The Future Leaders Fellowship at the Global Migration Institute is described as a year-long program designed to support the professional development of senior PhD candidates and early career postdoctoral scholars. Toronto Metropolitan University states its purpose is to pair fellows with senior scholars from one of the four Bridging Divides thematic groups and to promote collaboration and innovative research at the intersection of migration and advanced digital technologies (ADTs).

The fellowship is open to PhD candidates who have completed a first draft of their dissertation and to postdoctoral scholars. It is aimed at research exploring the relationship between Advanced Digital Technologies and immigrant integration in Canada and beyond. Eligible research interests may align with Immigrant Health and Wellbeing, Employment and Lifelong Learning, Place and Infrastructure, and Citizenship and Participation.

Selection is based on the submitted application package. Toronto Metropolitan University states that the application must include a cover letter, a research proposal aligned with one of the four Bridging Divides themes, a curriculum vitae, and one reference letter; applications missing any required documents will not be considered.

The fellowship begins with a five-day in-person visit to the Global Migration Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University for mentorship, research project shaping, and networking. Over the following year, fellows return to their home institutions for research under their mentor with regular check-ins. The fellowship culminates in producing a peer-reviewed journal article and presenting findings at a major international conference. Benefits include a stipend and coverage for specified travel and publication-related fees, with the stipend partly tied to successful completion and submission of a journal article.

• Applicant type: PhD candidates who have completed a first draft of their dissertationApplicant type: postdoctoral scholarsPost-PhD timing: maximum five years post PhDResearch focus: pursuing research that aims to produce innovative and practical knowledge by exploring the relationship between Advanced Digital Technologies and immigrant integration in Canada and beyondResearch themes alignment: one of the four Bridging Divides thematic groups (Immigrant Health and Wellbeing; Employment and Lifelong Learning; Place and Infrastructure; Citizenship and Participation)Institution affiliation: must be affiliated with an academic institutionExclusion: applicants from Bridging Divides partner universities (University of British Columbia, University of Alberta, Concordia University and TMU) are not eligible

• Fellowship amount: up to $18,000 in benefitsStipend of $5,000 paid in two installments ($3,000 at the start of the fellowship; $2,000 upon successful completion and submission of a journal article)Full coverage of travel expenses to Toronto Metropolitan University for the initial five-day visit, including a per diem and accommodationsCoverage of travel expenses to attend the conference where the research will be presented, including a per diem and accommodationsConference registration feesOpen Access publication fees

1. Submit the application package through the specified Google form (THIS FORM) by May 1, 2026.Include the required documents: a 1-page cover letter; a 2-page research proposal aligned with one of the four Bridging Divides themes (including research objectives, methodology, anticipated outcomes, and a preferred TMU Bridging Divides mentor); a 4-page curriculum vitae (CV) covering academic background, research experience, and relevant achievements; and one reference letter from an academic supervisor or professional.Ensure the application package includes all required documents, since applications missing any required documents will not be considered.

• 1-page cover letter2-page research proposal aligned with one of the four Bridging Divides themes (research objectives, methodology, anticipated outcomes, and a preferred TMU Bridging Divides mentor)4-page curriculum vitae (CV) detailing academic background, research experience, and relevant achievementsOne reference letter from an academic supervisor or professional