Research confirms that Black Canadians continue to be significantly underrepresented in civic leadership roles, including senior public service, elected office, regulatory bodies and the gateway professions to civic leadership roles, such as law, public policy and business. Research also confirms that this chronic under-representation of Black people in civic leadership roles has taken a serious toll on the engagement of Black Canadian youth in Canada's civic life. The 1834 Fellowship Program is designed to help reverse this trend, and to help create a new generation of Black civic leaders.

The 1834 Fellowship Program will achieve its objectives through the delivery of the following activities:

• 1834 CIVICS MIXERS

Intensive weekend mixers of various public policy areas intended to expose Fellows to a variety of civic leadership roles and public policy areas

• 1834 CIVIC MENTORSHIP

Pairing each Fellow with a mentor from the public institution/political sphere to help create a safe space for the Fellows to work towards personal learning goals during and after the Fellowship.

• 1834 CIVICS Summit (Toronto/Ottawa)

A Two-day summit, to be held at the beginning and/or conclusion of the Fellowship, that includes current Fellows, Fellowship Alumni and invited civically engaged Black Canadian youth. The summit is an opportunity for direct exposure to Canada’s key public policy institutions and direct interaction with senior public policymakers.

• Permanent resident or Canadian citizenship
• Black/African Descent
• Age 18-25
• Available for policy mixers and networking events
• Available for weekend conference
• Available for weekend intensive policy program in Toronto or Ottawa (depending on the year).

Candidates are assessed on the basis of the following criteria. Candidates’ experiences should demonstrate these competencies. Referees are asked to address these criteria in their letters of reference.

• Maturity (self-awareness/respect for others)
• Leadership (initiative/ability to work with others)
• Critical thinking skills
• Research and writing abilities
• Motivation
• Language skills

Candidates are selected by a committee comprised of 1834 Fellowship coordinators, 1834 Foundation Board and advisory members.

Eligible candidates must apply using the secure online 1834 Fellowship application system. Each candidate will be asked to submit the following documents to support their application:

• A cover letter and resume includes the following information: Contact information, education, employment experience, extracurricular and volunteer activities.
• Contact information for letters of reference: Candidates must provide at least TWO letters of reference in support of their application. One referee should be academic, and one must be from an employer or community member. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that letters are submitted prior to the application deadline. If referees would like to submit letters of reference directly, they may send the letters to programs@1834foundation.ca.

All applications are strictly private and confidential.

Candidates are selected by a committee comprised of 1834 Foundation Board and advisory members.

The Selection Committee will review all applications completed by the January 31 submission deadline. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure their application is complete.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews in February or early March. All candidates will be notified about their application status by the end of March.

The application process for the upcoming Fellowship opens every year on December 1 and ends on January 31 of the following year. The next cohort is open to candidates across Canada.