Call for Proposals: International Policy Ideas Challenge (Canada)

The objective of the program is to draw on the network of talented Canadian graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and early-career civil society researchers to identify concrete, innovative solutions to emerging international policy challenges faced by Canada.

Theme

• Canada will host the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, from June 15-17, 2025, marking half a century of the G7.
• Submissions may focus on areas such as foreign policy, international security, development, or trade. Proposals that take an integrated and crosscutting approach, linking foreign policy, trade, and development considerations, will receive greater value.
• To strengthen their proposals, applicants are encouraged to:
  • Explain why the chosen issue matters to Canada by identifying a specific challenge or vulnerability.
  • Consider the G7’s role as a consensus-driven institution and its unique membership when discussing the proposed issue.
  • Review and refer to past G7 leader and ministerial declarations, communiqués, and initiatives to build on existing discussions and commitments.

Topics

• Economic Security and Prosperity
  • Partnerships with Developing Nations
    • The G7’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) aims to fund sustainable development, emphasizing quality infrastructure that promotes economic growth and environmental sustainability.
  • Collaboration on Critical Minerals
    • The G7 has recognized the importance of securing critical mineral supply chains for clean energy and digital transitions, promoting collaboration among member nations.
• Climate Change and Energy Security
  • Strengthening Climate Cooperation
    • In 2022, the G7 established the Climate Club, an international initiative aimed at promoting global cooperation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating decarbonization, particularly in high-emitting industries and developing economies.
    • The G7 supported the launch of Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETP) to assist developing countries in transitioning to cleaner energy sources while managing the social and economic impacts.
• Transformative Digital Technology
  • Emerging Technologies, Ethical AI and Responsible Innovation
    • The 2023 G7 Hiroshima Process on Generative AI established principles for safe, secure, and trustworthy AI, emphasizing risk-based governance, transparency, and international cooperation.
  • Cybersecurity and Protection Against Cyber Threats
    • The G7 has agreed to establish a collectivized cybersecurity framework to protect critical infrastructure and sensitive information from cyber-attacks.
• Transnational Threats
  • Prevent and Counter the Smuggling of Migrants:
    • In October 2024, G7 Interior and Security Ministers adopted a comprehensive action plan aimed at dismantling organized criminal networks involved in migrant smuggling.
  • Foreign Interference
    • The G7 continues to strengthen its collective response to foreign interference, ensuring the protection of democratic institutions and processes, including through the activities of the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM).
  • Illegal Synthetic Drugs
    • April 2024, G7 leaders issued a statement affirming their joint efforts to combat the production, distribution, and sale of illicit synthetic drugs. The statement outlines commitments to raise awareness, share information, promote evidence-based practices, and enhance international cooperation in counternarcotics.

Benefits

• A 2-day group session on Global Affairs Canada and Canadian foreign policy 101.
• A 1- to 2-hour one-on-one coaching/mentoring session with a coach/mentor with relevant subject-matter expertise to discuss policy brief content and potential recommendations
• A 1- to 2-hour follow-up coaching/mentoring session with a coach/mentor to discuss the completed draft policy brief
• A half-day group session to practice presentations

Funding Information

• Between 5 and 10 awards will be granted. For each winning proposal, $4,000 will be provided to the lead (or sole) researcher upon submission of the final brief and formal presentation to GAC and SSHRC.

Eligibility Criteria

• The International Policy Ideas Challenge invites applications from current graduate students (Master’s or PhD level) and post-doctoral fellows at a recognized Canadian post-secondary educational institution.
• Researchers affiliated with a Canadian non-profit organization (example, a non-governmental organization or a think tank) who are within 6 years of graduation from a graduate program at a recognized post-secondary institution will also be considered.
• Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
• Indeterminate and term employees of the Government of Canada are not eligible to apply. Additionally, employees of GAC, including students and casuals, are not eligible to apply.
• Team applications, with a maximum of 3 members, are permitted; however, a lead researcher must be identified. A team application that includes collaborators from other universities is permitted. In the case of a team application, all members are expected to meet the above requirements.

Application Requirements

• Not exceed 750 words
• Identify which research theme(s) will be the focus of the final policy brief.
• Explain how the proposed analysis will complement and build on existing research and analysis related to the chosen research theme(s).
• Briefly describe the proposed research methodology (primary and secondary) for gathering and evaluating evidence, emphasizing original perspectives and innovative solutions.
• Explain why the proposal topic is important to Canadian foreign policy and/or Canada’s role in the G7.
• Sketch out preliminary policy recommendations to address the challenge.
• Identify actors and locations relevant to the policy idea, such as international organization(s), forum(s), partnership(s), and country(ies)/region(s) involved in the idea’s successful implementation.
• For inspiration and insight, visit the International Policy Ideas Challenge winners’ pages to learn about previous winners and their work.

For more information, visit Government of Canada.