If you are a student from Latin America or the Caribbean aiming to expand your academic and professional horizons through a short-term exchange in Canada, the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP) 2026 is an opportunity worth exploring. Funded by Global Affairs Canada, this program strengthens educational ties and supports student mobility between your home country and Canadian post-secondary institutions. Learn how this fully supported exchange can boost your studies, research exposure, and international experience.

What This Opportunity Really Offers You

Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program ELAP 2026 provides short-term scholarships—typically 4 to 6 months—to study or conduct research in Canada at a participating college or university. It provides financial support that removes the usual barriers associated with international exchanges. You receive funding that helps cover travel, documentation, and daily living costs during your stay in Canada. The scholarship supports airfare, health insurance, visa or study permit fees, and basic living expenses, allowing you to focus entirely on academics or research. With funding ranging roughly between CAD 8,200 and CAD 11,100, depending on duration, ELAP 2026 in Canada ensures your exchange.

Who Can Apply for Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program 2026

You can apply for ELAP 2026 in America if you are a citizen of an eligible country in the Caribbean, Central America, North America (Mexico), or South America and are enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution in your home country. You must continue paying tuition to your home institution and commit to returning after completing the exchange. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible, provided your institution partners with a Canadian host willing to nominate you. This program is not open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and individual applications without institutional nomination are not accepted.

Eligible countries for ELAP Canada Scholarship 2026 include (but are not limited to):

• Caribbean nations such as Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago
  
• Central American countries like Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama
  
• Mexico (North America)
  
• South American countries including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay and more 

How to Apply for Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program ELAP 2026

Unlike many scholarships, you cannot apply directly to Global Affairs Canada. Instead, you must secure nomination through your home institution and a Canadian host institution willing to submit the application on your behalf. Once eligibility is confirmed, your institution coordinates with a Canadian post-secondary partner. The Canadian host institution submits the official application to Global Affairs Canada through the EduCanada system. Your role is to prepare academic documents, confirm enrolment status, and meet internal deadlines set by both institutions. Early communication with your university is essential, as nomination timelines vary.

Key Details at a Glance

Detail	Information
Program Name	Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP)
Funding Organization	Global Affairs Canada
Target Participants	Students from Latin America & Caribbean
Exchange Duration	4 to 6 months
Scholarship Value	~CAD 8,200–11,100 (depending on duration)
Includes	Airfare, health insurance, living expenses, permits
Study Level	Undergraduate & Graduate
Expected Completion	No later than September 30, 2027
Application Deadline	March 31, 2026 (institution application deadline)

If you are ready to broaden your academic profile, gain international experience, and expand your research or learning network, the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program 2026 is an excellent opportunity to do so. Begin discussions with your institution now, prepare your documentation, and ensure your application is ready for submission before the 31 March 2026 deadline.

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