Pathy Fellowship Foundation

FAQs

To help you with you with your application, we have provided the answers to some frequently asked questions.

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General

Is there an application fee?

There is no fee for applying to the Fellowship.

This is not a grant, and the Pathy Fellowship does not fund ongoing or future research. 

We are looking for people who want the Fellowship experience as a whole, not solely the funding. 

The Fellowship experience includes personal coaching, dedicated support, comprehensive training, project management guidance, among other resources. At the application stage, we are looking to confirm your interest and availability for all aspects of the program, in addition to how the Fellowship’s holistic elements might contribute to the growth of your initiative and personal development. 

The Pathy Foundation Fellowship began in 2015 as a partnership between the Pathy Family Foundation and  Coady Institute to invest in Canada’s future leaders and strengthen resilient communities. The Pathy Family Foundation oversees all administration, curriculum design, and ongoing support throughout the program, while Coady will host Fellows for the on-campus learning during Foundations for Community Change and facilitate topic-specific educational content.

The program is not an internship, nor may a candidate apply for the program with a specific internship position in mind. The Pathy Fellowship is an opportunity for young leaders to elevate their skills through intensive experiential learning and management over a sizeable budget and community initiative for change. This elevated experience aims to empower Fellows to develop their own ideas beyond the limitations of an internship opportunity. Fellows should expect to be constructively challenged as they carve their journey as a changemaker through this program.  

The Pathy Fellowship is a year on, not a year off. It is positioned well for leaders who want to dive into exploring their pathway as a self-driven community changemaker. The intensity of the Fellowship requires a full–time investment of time and energy towards pursuing your passion. 

Up to twelve Fellowships are awarded annually. However, Fellowships will be awarded only if applications meet eligibility criteria and are sufficiently strong. 

The Pathy Fellowship is a full-time, funded commitment. You must be completed all academic requirements prior to starting the Fellowship and may not take on new academic commitments during the Fellowship year. 

Program Specific

Can I apply with a social entrepreneurship focus?

We welcome and encourage social entrepreneurship. This said, the Fellowship is not designed to provide seed funding for private enterprise. If an applicant has created or is involved with a profit-driven endeavour, some explanation must be provided for how the Fellowship would enable the candidate to work towards the public good in some way, and how funding would not simply be applied to the business’ bottom line. We are looking for people who want the Fellowship experience as a whole, not solely the funding. As the Fellowship is inherently community based, we are also looking for evidence that your initiative is rooted in a strong connection to a community, beyond a for-profit company or business. 

Being able to discuss, synthesize and articulate your ideas clearly and succinctly will be essential for activities during Selection. Selection consists of both group and individual interview activities. Regular interview preparation guidance applies, including re-familiarizing yourself with key points of your application, practicing your initiative pitch, participating in mock-interviews, and reviewing information about the Fellowship. Keep an eye on your inbox for updates and read email communications carefully to avoid missing important information! 

The Operations and Outreach Coordinator remains available to support you as a Fellowship finalist. Please feel free to reach out with questions, or to schedule a meeting. As an Alumnx of the program, they are well-versed in the Pathy Selection process and will have specific guidance to help prepare you. 

The Selection process consists of rigorous multi-stage review of applications, including use of detailed rubrics, individual review, contextual research, and collaborative deliberations among application reviewers and Selection Committee members. Candidates will be informed of the status of their candidacy approximately six to seven weeks after submitting their application, including details on Selection Days in Montreal, if invited for interviews.

Following a multi-stage review of applications, up to 20 shortlisted candidates will be invited and funded to attend a two-day Selection process. Selection takes place at a centrally located hotel in Montreal. All shortlisted candidates must make themselves available to attend Selection. Travel within Canada will be arranged to arrive on the evening prior and depart on the morning following. International travel will not be arranged or covered by the program. 

Selection consists of interactive group activities with the other candidates along with an individual panel interview with members of the Selection Committee. Activities require reading, writing, speaking and some light physical activities. Candidates who have specific learning accommodations are requested to indicate this upon being shortlisted, and alternative activities will be chosen to ensure all candidates’ accessibility. Requests made for specific accommodations will in no way impact candidates’ eligibility for the Fellowship. 

Fellowship funding is intended to support your ability to fully commit to your community and initiative idea, including covering living costs and recurring payments without taking on additional employment. However, Fellows are not permitted to prioritize personal financial benefit at the expense of their community and initiative. Budgeting considerations, including ethical financial management, will be discussed during Foundations for Community Change and on an ongoing basis with the program team.

The Fellowship is a full-time, primary commitment for the duration of the program year. Additional commitments that will compete or interfere with your ability to devote time and energy to the Fellowship are strongly discouraged. Fellows are not permitted to hold additional academic, volunteer, professional, or work commitments during the Fellowship year, except in exceptional circumstances, with written approval by program staff. Fellows will confirm these details with program staff before accepting their offer. 

The Fellowship funding package is taxable. Tax is not deducted at the source. The Fellowship does not provide tax advice to Fellows. The tax implications of the Fellowship are the sole responsibility of the Fellow. It is recommended that Fellows consult and rely upon the advice of their own counsel, accountant, tax advisor, or other advisor(s).  

During coaching, Fellows will have the opportunity to explore their individual leadership style and set intentions for areas in which they would like to learn and grow personally. Throughout the Fellowship, Fellows will have periodic one-on-one virtual sessions with a coach to support them as they move toward their personal growth intentions. The coaching offers supportive and non-prescriptive guidance to allow the Fellow to process their personal learning at their own pace, in parallel with their experiences in community. The coaching experience is highly individualized in order to create space for Fellows to set their own learning priorities.