FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, January 17, 2025 – Fulbright Canada is proud to announce the launch of the 2025 Community Action Program (CAP), generously supported by the Maple Leaf Foundation. The Community Action Program is part of a suite of transformative initiatives under Fulbright Canada’s Alumni Programs, including the Community Leadership Program (CLP). Together, these programs empower alums to lead projects that tackle pressing social and environmental issues while fostering collaboration, leadership, and impactful change.
Over the last five years, Fulbright Canada’s CAP and CLP programs have provided over $300,000 to support innovative, community-driven initiatives. This substantial investment is a testament to Fulbright Canada’s unwavering commitment to creating meaningful change through the efforts of its alums.
The CAP grant offers up to $8,000 to Fulbright Canada alums and current program participants. This initiative supports volunteer-led, community-focused projects that strengthen partnerships and enhance local resilience.
Applications open January 17, 2025, and close February 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.
A Legacy of Leadership and Community Impact
Through the Community Leadership Program and Community Action Program, Fulbright Canada continues to provide resources and opportunities for our alumni to serve as ambassadors of mutual understanding, making meaningful connections, and facilitating social impact
—Dr. Michael Hawes, CEO of Fulbright Canada.
The CAP grant allows alums to collaborate with their home and host institutions, community organizations, and fellow Fulbright alums to design and implement impactful projects.
Notable examples of impactful, alumni-led initiatives supported by CAP include:
Yolanda Wiersma (2024)
Caring for the Earth: This project brought together Mi’kmaq from the Qalipu First Nation, local settler communities, and a grassroots organization in Newfoundland to explore forest biodiversity. Through a two-day event, participants connected with their local environment and built relationships across cultures, focusing on a unique biodiversity-rich area in rural Newfoundland.
Aline Maybank (2024)
Breathing Easier: This New Haven, CT initiative educated youth and rural Massachusetts communities about air quality impact and proactive health measures. Hands-on workshops and the installation of air filters demonstrated actionable ways to address local challenges.
Barbara Schwartz-Bechet (2022)
Sensory-Friendly Spaces: This project, which collaborated with Misericordia University and Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre, PA, created sensory-friendly environments for neuro-diverse individuals and their families to enjoy recreational activities together.
2025 Community Action Program: Key Details
Eligibility: Open to alums and current participants of Fulbright Canada programs, including the Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program and the Killam Fellowships Program.
Focus Areas: While the program is open to all fields, priority is given to projects addressing youth engagement, the future of work, Indigenous issues, and community development.
Grant Details: Funding is tailored to project scope, up to $8,000, based on availability.
Completion Deadline: All projects must be completed by Friday, August 29, 2025.
Apply Now and Lead the Change
Applications for the 2025 Community Action Program grant are open until Friday, February 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the Community Action Program to learn more and start their applications.
Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your vision for community impact into reality. Join us in building resilient communities and creating a lasting legacy of positive change!
About Fulbright Canada
Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program has supported over 325,000 students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists, and artists across 155 countries. It remains one of the world’s most distinguished academic honours. The program aims to foster mutual understanding and academic excellence.
Fulbright Canada is a bi-national, treaty-based, non-governmental organization that identifies and supports exceptional scholars and students in Canada and the United States by providing academic exchange programs through merit-based grants.