KBHN-CanNRT ADVANCE Network Policy Fellows: Call for Applicants

Kids Brain Health Network (KBHN), Canadian Neurodevelopmental Research Training Platform (CanNRT), and the Alliance for Disability Voices, Advocacy, and National Community Empowerment (ADVANCE) Network are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026–2028 KBHN-CanNRT ADVANCE Network Policy Fellowship. Researchers and trainees passionate about shaping disability policy for children and youth are invited to apply and join the next cohort of ADVANCE Network Fellows.

About the ADVANCE Network

This fellowship is an opportunity to support the work of the Alliance for Disability Voices, Advocacy, and National Community Empowerment (ADVANCE) Network, a network whose members include researchers, community partners, and persons with lived and living experience (PWLLE), with a shared goal to improve access to provincial and territorial disability programs for Canadian youth with disabilities and their families through research and community-led knowledge mobilization. The ADVANCE Network commits to Indigenous data sovereignty via OCAP principles where applicable, and culturally safe practices that honour First Nations, Inuit, and Métis understandings of disability.

The Fellowship

The 2026-2028 KBHN-CanNRT ADVANCE Policy Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for trainees (graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, or research associates) to contribute to the work of the ADVANCE Network under the mentorship of ADVANCE leadership and with the support of ADVANCE Network members across Canada (including KBHN, TACC and CanNRT).

We will select four ADVANCE Fellows who will support the work of the ADVANCE Network by completing a project aligned with one of our four core areas of focus:

1. Program Types & Governmental Efficiency: Identify opportunities to improve coordination and efficiency across fragmented disability program landscapes.
2. Access Trajectory: Define and address barriers along access pathways from early childhood through young adulthood.
3. Eligibility & Design: Improve alignment between eligibility criteria, assessment processes, and functional needs.
4. Access and Exclusion: Address inequities in program uptake and design targeted outreach strategies.

The ADVANCE Network also has an embedded Indigenous Parallel Path focused on supporting Indigenous-led definition and redesign of disability supports across jurisdictions. This work will proceed alongside research in the four core areas of focus outlined above, ensuring respect of Indigenous self-determination while enabling integration at shared learning moments. ADVANCE Fellows will have the opportunity to work alongside and collaborate with our current ADVANCE Network Indigenous Policy Fellow throughout their term.

During the fellowship, ADVANCE Fellows will:

• Lead a research project centred on a pan-Canadian comparative analysis in one of the core areas of focus, co-developed with ADVANCE leadership and Network members.
• Receive mentorship from members of the ADVANCE leadership team.
• Gain experience in engaging and partnering with community organizations and PWLLE through working groups designed to support research projects
• Develop publishable community- and policy-relevant outputs, positioned to contribute to meaningful changes in disability policy and practice
• Share research findings through various presentation opportunities, including internal ADVANCE Network symposiums, external conferences, webinars, and other events.
• Be supported to attend the CanNRT Summer School in August 2027 and August 2028.
• Complete a CanNRT policy curriculum focused on building policy-relevant skills and capabilities.
• Receive an annual CanNRT Training Passport to support career development activities such as conference participation and other additional training.

Fellowship Parameters and Timelines

• Stipend Amount: $15,000 for a two-year term, plus a $4,000 training passport for career development opportunities ($2,000/year) and full support to attend the CanNRT Summer School in Montreal, Quebec in August 2027 and 2028.
• Allocation: Four fellowship positions are available
• Location: Remote
• Term: October 5, 2026 to September 29, 2028.
  • The fellowship is a two-year commitment, with core project work expected to be completed within the first 12-18 months. The second year is dedicated to knowledge mobilization and professional development opportunities, such as participation in conferences and the CanNRT summer school.
• Hours: Four to six hours per week
• Application Deadline: July 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MT
• Notification Date: September 2026

Please note that funding can be used to supplement existing graduate funding, awards, and stipends.

 Qualifications and Applicant Evaluation Criteria

This opportunity is open to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, or research associates. Specific requirements are as follows:

• Interest in social policy and disability program and service design, with demonstrated linkage to broader career goals, is required. Previous policy-related experience is not necessary but is considered an asset.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Strong academic excellence is required.
• Current residence in any Canadian province or territory is required. Residence in Quebec, Atlantic provinces, or territories is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Bilingualism (French/English) is considered an asset.
• Prior experience engaging interest holders and PWLLE in research is considered an asset.
• Previous leadership experience is considered an asset.

Note: Applications from all disciplines and all Canadian institutions are welcome. We especially encourage applicants from historically underrepresented groups, including those marginalized by gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, and Indigeneity, to apply. We strongly invite applications from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis trainees, including those with lived disability experience in Indigenous contexts, prioritizing community-led knowledge.

Why Apply?

As a fellow, you will be part of a transformative initiative that will directly influence the lives of youth with disabilities and their families, advocating for more accessible and equitable disability policies across Canada. In addition, fellows will:

• Gain a greater understanding of disability policy and program design: This fellowship offers the unique opportunity to directly contribute to the improvement of disability-related policies and programs across Canada by providing key insights into provincial and territorial disability programs.
• Collaborate with leading experts and community partners: Fellows will work closely with a team of experienced researchers, community partners, and PWLLE throughout their fellowship. This collaborative environment will offer invaluable professional development and opportunities for mentorship, while enhancing capabilities in engaging with interest holders with differing personal and professional experiences.
• Develop skills related to policy research and communication: This role will enhance skills in data collection, policy analysis, and policy writing. Embedded knowledge mobilization opportunities (development of policy briefs, reports, and presentations) and policy curriculum will strengthen fellows’ capabilities in communicating policy information to a wide range of audiences. Fellows will co-develop outputs with Indigenous partners where applicable, ensuring cultural relevance and reciprocity, per TCPS-2 Chapter 9 guidelines

Application Process

If you are interested in this opportunity, please fill out the application form. You will be required to upload the following documents in the application form:

1. Your curriculum vitae. While all CV formats are welcome (e.g., tri-council, academic institution, personal), please ensure yours includes the following: key contributions (research outputs, community engagement, creative works, and societal contributions such as volunteerism) and supervisory/mentorship activities.
2. A cover letter (maximum two pages) that highlights your relevant experiences and expertise (particularly in relation to the core areas of focus, included above), describes how your skills align with the requirements of the position, and expresses how this opportunity aligns with your interests and overall career goals.
3. Up-to-date transcripts of your complete academic record (this includes all undergraduate and graduate studies, completed or ongoing).
4. A letter of reference (maximum two pages) from a current or previous supervisor who can speak to your qualifications and potential for success in this fellowship opportunity.

If you have any questions about this call or the application process, please contact the ADVANCE Network Operations Manager, Brittany Finlay at brittany.finlay1@ucalgary.ca.