Deadline: January 9, 2026
Applications are open for the Broadbent Institute Emerging Leaders Program 2026. The Emerging Leaders Program, launched by the Broadbent Institute in 2023, is a training initiative designed to develop early to mid-career organizers and leaders committed to creating a fairer and more inclusive society. The goal of the Broadbent Institute’s Emerging Leaders Program is to provide leaders working for systemic change with hands-on training and ongoing mentorship and networking opportunities to increase their skills and capacity around progressive policies and projects.
Throughout this ten-month program, participants will engage in multifaceted learning experiences with in-depth Director-level training, ongoing mentorship, and networking opportunities to increase their skills and capacity around strategic thinking, progressive policies and project management. In addition to that, participants will receive an invitation and partake in the 2026 Progress Summit and 2026 Broadbent Gala.
Program Overview
In-person programming will take place at both the 2026 Progress Summit in March as well as the 2026 Progress Gala in November. At each event, Emerging Leaders will be introduced to leading practices and participate in an intensive, full-day of leadership training designed to provide hands-on tools that strengthen their skills and networks.
Alongside these in-person events, participants will also attend highly curated monthly virtual programming in the form of workshops, panels, and Q&A sessions with experienced facilitators who are dedicated to supporting the development of progressive leadership in Canada.
Skill development will include but not be limited to:
- Effective team leadership and communication skills
- Successful methods for organizing advocacy campaigns
- Government relations, both as insider and outsider
- How to engage effectively with stakeholders, consult and build consensus in communities
- Digital, social and traditional media best practices for communicating ideas and fostering public interest and support
Costs
While the Broadbent Institute covers participation costs for all selected Emerging Leaders, they encourage applicants to explore whether their employer or organization can sponsor their participation. Organizational sponsorship helps sustain and grow the program, ensuring more leaders across Canada can benefit in future years.
Participation in the Emerging Leaders Program is valued at $5,400, which covers:
- Travel, accommodation, and meals for in-person programming
- Facilitator and mentorship honorariums
- Coordination, support, and execution of all program components
Organizational sponsorships of an emerging leader can be full ($5,400) or partial ($2,000) sponsorship.
Eligibility
- Open to community-minded leaders from across Canada who are committed to a more just, inclusive, green and equitable society and who are actively working for positive change in their communities.
- An Emerging Leader is an individual who is in the early to mid-stages of their career, showing strong potential for leadership as well as a clear understanding of and commitment to social democratic values.
- Emerging Leaders are selected for this non-partisan program based on the work they are doing to make a positive impact on society and how skilling up will help build capacity around progressive policy priorities in Canada.
Application
Application deadline: 11:59 PM PST, January 9, 2026. In-person attendance at the 2026 Progress Summit and 2026 Progress Gala is mandatory for selected applicants.
For more information, visit Emerging Leaders Program.