Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) International Youth Fellowship Program 2025

AKFC is searching for individuals who can demonstrate a commitment to international development, are driven by the desire to make a meaningful change in the world and are ready to apply their skills and experience to a challenging overseas Fellowship.

The International Youth Fellowship Program is a unique opportunity for recent graduates and early-career professionals in Canada to bring a global dimension to their careers. Through an intensive pre-departure training and an overseas placement, Fellows get hands-on experience in international development. Their placements support local institutions to implement programs that improve the quality of life of the communities they serve.

Fellows will be placed in one of three streams: International Development Management (IDM), International Microfinance and Microenterprise (IMM), and Young Professionals in Media (YPM). IDM Fellows are typically placed with organizations working in fields like health and education, IMM Fellows with organizations involved in microfinance or market development, and YPM Fellows with Nation Media Group, a leading media outlet in East Africa.

Each Fellow spends eight months in Africa or Asia working with agencies and partners of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), one of the world’s largest and most respected international development organizations.

Before Fellows depart for their overseas placement, they attend a three-week pre-departure training in Ottawa, which provides a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge required to contribute effectively to their host organizations. The pre-departure training is designed by former Fellows, and is facilitated by leading international development professionals, based in Canada and overseas, including many alumni of the Fellowship program.

AKFC covers the majority of costs associated with living and working overseas including travel, accommodation, vaccinations, health insurance, and a modest stipend to cover the cost of living. Successful candidates are required to make a one-time contribution of CAD $1,000 towards the costs of the Fellowship.

• Table of Content
• About Aga Khan Foundation
• AKFC International Youth Fellowship Program
• Requirements for AKFC International Youth Fellowship Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for AKFC International Youth Fellowship Program
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Aga Khan Foundation

The Aga Khan Foundation is a private, not-for-profit international development agency, which was founded in 1967 by Shah Karim Al Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, the 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims.

AKFC International Youth Fellowship Program

Application Deadline	31 Jan 2025
Country to study	Canada
Type	Fellowship
Sponsor	Aga Khan Foundation
Gender	Men and Women

Requirements for AKFC International Youth Fellowship Program Qualification

To become an International Youth Fellow, applicants must:

• Hold, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution by April 30, 2025, with a record of strong academic performance 
• Will not be enrolled in any educational program for the duration of the Fellowship program (May 2025 – February 2026) 
• Demonstrated a commitment to international development through related volunteer, professional or academic experience 
• Be 30 years of age or under on or before February 1, 2025 
• Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident 
• Be fluent in English 
• Present all appropriate documentation (CVs, degrees, transcripts, references, etc.) 

Interview date, Process and Venue for AKFC International Youth Fellowship Program

Applicants select one of three streams as part of the application process: International Development Management (IDM), International Microfinance and Microenterprise (IMM), and Young Professionals in Media (YPM). IDM Fellows are typically placed with organizations working in fields like health and education, IMM Fellows with organizations involved in microfinance or market development, and YPM Fellows with Nation Media Group, a leading media outlet in East Africa.

Participants apply for placements that best match their backgrounds and interests, such as:

• Fields: Agriculture & Food Security, Civil Society, Climate Resilience, Early Childhood Development, Education, Gender Equality, Health & Nutrition, Work & Enterprise
• Placements: Communications, Marketing, Media, Monitoring & Evaluation, Operations, Partnerships, Project Management, Research

This prestigious Fellowship is a launching pad for diverse careers in government, non-profit, media and finance sectors. In a survey conducted in October 2023, 93 percent of Fellows who were currently on their placements felt that participating in the program helped shape their career or study decisions.

Timeline:

• Applications Close – January 31, 2025
• References Due – February 14, 2025
• Interview Period – March
• Offers to Candidates – Early April
• Pre-Departure Training – May 28 – June 20, 2025*
• Fellows Depart for Field Placements – July 1, 2025
• End of Placement – February 28, 2026

Application Deadline

January 31, 2025

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Aga Khan Foundation on accounts.submittable.com to apply

• AKFC is using Submittable to collect applications to the International Youth Fellowship Program
• To submit an application, you will need to create a Submittable account. All you need is an email and password to create your account, it's that simple. For further instructions, visit the following help center article How to submit.
• Supported internet browsers include: Google Chrome, Apple Safari, & Mozilla Firefox.
• If you have any technical issues, please contact Submittable through the following link: Submittable technical support

Questions: If you have any other questions or comments, feel free to contact our Fellowship Team at [email protected]. For frequently asked questions about the program, please visit our FAQ page.

For more details, visit AKF website