Introduction
The Canadian government wants students from Latin America and the Caribbean to study in Canada. To do this, it created a program called the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program, shortened as ELAP. This program gives money to students so they do not pay for living costs while studying or doing research in Canada for a few months.
The application deadline for the 2026 cycle is March 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. If you are a student from one of the 40 eligible countries, you need to act fast.
Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) |
| Funded By | Global Affairs Canada |
| Program Start | 2009 |
| Who Applies | Canadian institutions on behalf of students |
| Eligible Regions | Latin America and the Caribbean |
| Scholarship Value | $8,600 to $12,400 |
| Study Duration | 4 to 6 months |
| Application Deadline | March 31, 2026 |
| Results Notification | May 2026 |
| Activities End Date | September 30, 2027 |
What Is the ELAP Scholarship?
Global Affairs Canada launched ELAP in 2009. The program funds short trips to Canada so students from Latin America and the Caribbean study or do research at a Canadian college or university. As of the 2026 to 2027 cycle, Canadian institutions now select students directly. The school applies on your behalf through the My EduCanada portal.
Each participating Canadian institution receives up to $150,000 per project. The school then passes the money to selected students. Tuition is free because the host institution waives it for all ELAP recipients. The scholarship covers your living expenses only.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify, you must meet all of the following conditions at the same time.
You must be a citizen of one of the 40 eligible countries listed below. You must study full-time at a post-secondary institution in your home country. You must pay tuition fees to your home school at the time of application. You must finish all program activities before September 30, 2027.
In addition, you do NOT qualify if any of the following applies to you.
You hold or have applied for Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. You already receive funding from Global Affairs Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development (DFATD), or a Canadian federal research agency such as NSERC, SSHRC, or CIHR. You are already enrolled in a degree, diploma, or certificate program at a Canadian school.
Eligible Countries
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Caribbean | Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos |
| Central America | Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama |
| North America | Mexico |
| South America | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela |
How Much Money Do You Get?
The table below shows the exact amounts based on your academic level and how long you stay in Canada.
| Study Level | Duration | Scholarship Amount |
|---|---|---|
| College or Undergraduate | 4 months (1 academic term) | $8,600 |
| Graduate (Masters or PhD) | 4 months (1 academic term) | $8,600 |
| Graduate (Masters or PhD) | 5 to 6 months | $12,400 |
Note: Tuition is not included in these amounts. The Canadian host institution waives tuition for all ELAP recipients. These amounts cover your living costs during your stay in Canada.
How the Application Works
You do not apply directly to this program. A Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI) applies on your behalf. Here is how the process works step by step.
First, find a Canadian school willing to nominate you for ELAP. Second, the school assigns a program coordinator who handles your nomination. Third, the coordinator creates or logs into a GCKey account and registers the institution on the My EduCanada portal. Fourth, the coordinator selects ELAP and clicks Apply. Fifth, the school uploads your signed Privacy Notice Statement (PNS), dated within the last 6 months. Sixth, the school emails a completed Management and Accountability Framework (MAF) to Scholarships-Info-Bourses@international.gc.ca before the deadline. Seventh, the portal sends a confirmation message with a reference number once submission is complete.
Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | January 22, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | March 31, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT |
| Results Notification | May 2026 |
| All Activities Must End By | September 30, 2027 |
How Canadian Institutions Are Selected
Projects qualify based on the completeness and quality of the Management and Accountability Framework. The MAF must show that the institution will run a fair student selection process, confirm eligibility of candidates, keep records of supporting documents, cover a broad range of eligible countries, and maintain equal gender participation.
Contact Information
For questions, reach the scholarship administrator at Scholarships-Info-Bourses@international.gc.ca
Related Scholarships
If you are also looking for other scholarship options, the following opportunities from Detunity are worth checking out.
| Scholarship | Host Country | Level | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarships, Master’s Program (CGS-M) 2025 | Canada | Master’s | Read More |
| David Johnston Lebovic International Experience Awards | Canada | Undergraduate/Graduate | Read More |
| Türkiye Scholarships 2026: Full Funding for International Students | Turkey | All Levels | Read More |
| German Catholic KAAD Scholarship Program 2025 | Germany | Masters and PhD | Read More |
| Fully Funded AI Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2025 | Europe | Masters | Read More |
You do not apply directly. Contact a Canadian Designated Learning Institution and ask if they participate in ELAP. The school submits your application through the My EduCanada portal.
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