Call for applications:

France-Canada Future Leaders Programme on Defence Issues

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Description:

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This programme aims to deepen Franco–Canadian strategic exchanges, as well as dialogue with the broader Euro-Atlantic community, at a time marked by shifting security balances and the growing centrality of the Arctic in defence and sovereignty issues. In the face of a hardened Russian posture, the persistence of Sino-American competition, and the proliferation of hybrid threats, Canada is called upon to strengthen its role as a northern power and to adapt its deterrence and cooperation tools. The 2026 programme focuses more specifically on three structuring pillars: (1) Canada’s role in Arctic and North Atlantic security, including through partnerships with European and Nordic allies; (2) the development of minilateral cooperation formats as complements to existing multilateral frameworks; and (3) the capabilities, technologies, and industrial policies required to strengthen the sovereignty, resilience, and strategic credibility of Canada and its partners. In connection with these core issues, other cross-cutting themes will also be addressed.

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Building on the continuity of previous editions (2024, 2025), the programme seeks to consolidate a network of emerging leaders—primarily Franco-Canadian, but also from other countries within the Euro-Atlantic community—who will be encouraged to maintain regular exchanges on security and defence issues. The group, composed of around ten participants, will take part in two study visits of approximately five days each: one in Europe (France; potentially Belgium) and one in Canada (primarily Ottawa and Montréal). These visits will combine closed-door sessions (small-group workshops with political, military, diplomatic, academic, or industry stakeholders) and public-facing events (conferences, roundtables).

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Selection criteria

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Applications for this programme are now open until 23 January 2026 (inclusive). To apply, please complete the application form below, attach a CV, and send both documents to info@forum-defense-strategie.org and bbp.francecanada@gmail.com.

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Application form

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Preliminary programme

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Eligibility criteria :

• The programme aims to build a network of emerging leaders and is therefore open exclusively to applicants under 40 years of age as of 1 March 2026.

• The programme is open to French or Canadian nationals (or Canadian permanent residents), as well as applicants from the broader transatlantic/European community (holding the nationality of one of its member countries).

• As programme activities take place in French and/or English, applicants must demonstrate excellent command of at least one of the two languages (C1/C2) and very strong passive comprehension (oral and written) of the other.

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Additional information

• No specific professional background or academic field is targeted: the selection process will aim to ensure diversity among the cohort. Approximately ten participants will be selected.

• The organising associations will cover costs related to the network’s activities (transportation, accommodation) for all participants. Active engagement in the programme (participation in both study visits and workshops, interaction with other members, drafting publications) is expected; failure to meet these commitments may result in non-payment of the engagement/attendance/publication award and may lead to exclusion from the programme.

• At the end of the programme (including the publications mentioned—strategic briefs and a collective publication), an engagement, attendance, and publication award of EUR 200 will be paid to participants (subject to compliance with the commitment requirements above).

The network’s inaugural online meeting will take place in early March 2026.

 

Participant contributions

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As part of the programme, participants will be invited to contribute actively to collective outputs aimed at showcasing the reflections developed throughout the exchanges. Following the programme, three bilingual strategic briefs will be published in fall 2026 / winter 2027, focusing respectively on: (1) Canadian leadership in the Arctic; (2) the most relevant minilateral groupings and frameworks for Canada; and (3) the protection of critical infrastructure and resources (potentially including the role of the Canadian Rangers).

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These three briefs will form the backbone of a collective publication aligned with the programme’s themes. Speakers participating in public events will also be invited to submit a policy note related to their presentation, which may be integrated into the collective publication. The briefs—and potentially the collective publication—are expected to be published and made available in both English and French.

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Financial contribution from selected candidates

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Participation in the programme requires a financial contribution intended to cover part of the actual costs related to organising the study visits, workshops, events, and associated outputs (transportation, accommodation, logistics, organisation of meetings, and publications).

• Once selected and notified, candidates have 7 days to confirm or withdraw their application.

• Once participation is confirmed, candidates have 15 days to transfer the financial contribution by bank transfer. Failure to pay within this timeframe may lead to exclusion.

• Financial contributions are non-refundable.

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Recognising that this contribution may represent a significant commitment, the organisers wish to be transparent about the arrangements for this edition, which exceptionally differ from previous editions.

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Two categories of candidates are distinguished:

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1) Candidates with student status (Master’s students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers)

For candidates with student status, the financial contribution is EUR 1,200. This amount includes the EUR 200 engagement/attendance/publication award, paid (back) at the end of the programme, subject to compliance with expected commitments.

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2) Candidates without student status

At this stage, and in the absence of confirmation of a major institutional funding source that would normally significantly reduce participation costs, the financial contribution for candidates without student status is set at EUR 3,600, also including the EUR 200 engagement/attendance/publication award (paid back at the end of the programme, subject to compliance with expected commitments). The organisers wish to emphasise that:

• this amount, although high, does not cover the programme’s full actual costs, but only a substantial share of them;

• it is a temporary arrangement linked to current uncertainty regarding the receipt of major institutional funding; in the absence of such funding, it would allow the organisers to cover a large share of programme costs.

 

Revision outlook and practical arrangements

The organisers will be able to confirm by the end of February whether this funding has been secured. If confirmed, the financial contribution for non-student candidates would be aligned with that of student candidates, i.e. EUR 1,200. In this perspective, the organisers encourage all eligible profiles to apply, including non-student candidates.

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Non-student candidates who currently believe that neither they nor their employer would be able to cover the provisional contribution (EUR 3,600) are invited to state this explicitly in their application file (for example through a short dedicated note), indicating their interest in the programme should the contribution be revised downward. This statement:

• will have no negative impact on the academic or professional evaluation of applications;

• will help organisers anticipate different budgetary configurations;

• and, where relevant, enable organisers to confirm participation at a later stage, notably if the expected institutional funding is obtained.

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Accordingly, final confirmation of participation and payment arrangements (timeline) for non-student candidates may be adjusted to avoid premature financial commitment. If a payment were to be made before confirmation of the structural funding and that funding were subsequently secured, the organisers would refund the difference.

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For further information, please contact info@forum-defense-strategie.org, bbp.francecanada@gmail.com. 

 

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