Deadline: December 22, 2025
Looking for a challenging and rewarding career in the federal public service? By becoming a policy leader, you can help develop government policies to address today’s key challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s. Apply now for the Recruitment of Policy Leaders Program 2025-2026.
The Recruitment of Policy Leaders program seeks people with diverse backgrounds who have the potential to create positive change and make a significant contribution to the federal public service. This program develops a pool of exceptional candidates who are ready to be hired into a variety of mid- to senior-level policy-related positions in the federal public service.
Benefits
- Access to employment opportunities that match your interests and areas of expertise in various federal departments and agencies
- Access to mentorship from program alumni who will help you network and guide you through the job search and hiring process
- Access to a network of professionals who continually seek new challenges and are interested in tackling Canada’s most critical public policy issues
- Access to orientation sessions and regular social events, connecting you to other successful candidates and learning opportunities
Policy leaders may be appointed to intermediate level roles, typically as a senior policy analyst (in EC-05 to EC-07 positions, or equivalent groups and levels). Salaries may range from $100,265 to $146,936.
Eligibility
- Canadian citizens or permanent residents who live in Canada or abroad
- People who live in Canada but do not have Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status may also apply for this program, but preference will be given to veterans and then to those with Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
- Review the list of requirements to assess whether you meet program expectations
- Preference may be given to applicants with expertise in the following federal priority areas:
- Artificial intelligence, technological innovation
- Border security, public safety, law enforcement
- Crown-Indigenous relations regarding resource development and northern affairs
- Defence, national security
- Economic growth, productivity
- Infrastructure, housing
- International trade, international investment, internal trade
Application
To apply, select one of the application streams below:
- The General Stream (available to all applicants) is open from November 24 until December 8 (11:59 P.M. EST), 2025: Apply to the General Stream for the Recruitment of Policy Leaders 2025-2026
- The Indigenous Stream (available to those who self-declare as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) is open from November 24 until December 22 (11:59 P.M. EST), 2025: Apply to the Indigenous Stream for the Recruitment of Policy Leaders 2025-2026
- The Persons with Disabilities Stream (available to those who self-declare as living with a disability) is open from November 24 until December 22 (11:59 P.M. EST), 2025: Apply to the Persons with Disabilities Stream for the Recruitment of Policy Leaders 2025-2026
Note that applicants must only apply once. For candidates who self-declare as both Indigenous and a person with a disability, please apply to the Indigenous stream. Candidates from all 3 application streams will be assessed together using the same assessment process.
For more information, visit Recruitment of Policy Leaders Program.