Advanced Policy Analyst Program

Benefits of the program

In addition to having one of the most unique and beneficial opportunities to begin a career in the federal public service, participants will become part of a network of intellectually accomplished, driven and committed public servants that has been more than three decades in the making.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment on engaging policy topics that have a real impact on the lives of Canadians. Throughout the process, participants will gain:

• an understanding of the Cabinet and parliamentary systems
• an understanding of the roles of central agencies and line departments
• exposure to the overall functioning of government
• exposure to a variety of policy areas and policy making
• exposure to the expenditure management process
• opportunities to hone soft skills
• an effective network of colleagues and program alumni across the Government of Canada

Upon completion of the program, APAP participants have become valuable assets for the government who are able to develop and analyze policies, play the central agency challenge function, and successfully navigate the policy development process.

APAP alumni

Promotion progression

Participants are hired within the Economics and Social Science Services (EC) group at the EC-03 level ($77,690 to $87,907, June 2025 rates). After one year in the program, participants may be considered for promotion to the EC-04 level, subject to satisfactory performance evaluations, successful completion of their graduate or law degree, and successful completion of the EC-04 promotional interview.

Participants graduate at the EC-05 level ($100,265 to $115,404, June 2025 rates) after two years, provided all conditions have been met. Upon graduation, participants are placed in their sponsoring department at the EC-05 level.

Participating departments

The APAP is a unique EC recruitment and development program within the Government of Canada policy community, funded by 12 participating departments:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Department of Finance Canada
• Employment and Social Development Canada
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Health Canada
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Infrastructure Canada
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• Natural Resources Canada
• Privy Council Office
• Transport Canada
• Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Who should apply

The program seeks highly motivated candidates who exhibit:

• leadership and academic excellence
• good judgment and analytical abilities
• a keen interest in Canadian public policy and governance

Applicants must have recently obtained, or expect to obtain by June 1, 2028, a Master’s degree, PhD or degree in law from a recognized post-secondary institution. If the qualifying degree is still in progress, all required coursework must be completed by June 1, 2027. Applicants must also hold a Bachelor’s degree.

Participants are expected to relocate to the National Capital Region.

Qualification requirements

• Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident?
• Will you have completed all required coursework by June 1, 2027, and will you have obtained your qualifying Master’s, PhD or law degree by June 1, 2028?
• By June 1, 2027, will you have completed:
  • at least one half-year course in microeconomics and at least one half-year course in macroeconomics (or an equivalent full-year course covering both)?
  • at least two additional half-year courses or one full-year course in economics?
  • at least one half-year course in statistics, quantitative analysis or research methods?
• Have you demonstrated strong academic achievement in your post-secondary studies?

APAP Indigenous Inventory

Indigenous applicants may also apply through the Advanced Policy Analyst Program Indigenous Inventory (APAP-I), a dedicated recruitment stream for people who self-identify as First Nations, Inuit or Métis. The inventory is open until November 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Applications submitted now will be considered for appointments beginning in July 2027.

Applicants must have completed a Bachelor’s degree and have recently obtained, or expect to obtain by April 30, 2028, a Master’s degree, PhD or degree in law. If the qualifying degree is in progress, all required coursework must be completed by June 1, 2027. The APAP-I poster sets out the complete and distinct qualification requirements; economics and statistics coursework is an asset qualification rather than an essential qualification. View the APAP-I application poster.

Screening process

Applications to the general APAP recruitment campaign undergo a rigorous screening and selection process:

• applications will be screened to ensure that applicants meet the required qualifications based on education, experience, leadership competencies and other conditions of employment
• applicants who are screened in will complete an interview in January 2027 to further assess the essential competencies
• successful applicants will be advised in late February 2027 and will receive offers of employment once all conditions of employment have been met (April to May 2027)
• once appointed, participants will begin the program by attending an orientation week the first week of July 2027
• participants will begin their first assignment following completion of the orientation week

Application status

For the general APAP recruitment campaign, should you be considered for an interview, you will be contacted by the APAP Secretariat by December 2026. All communications with candidates will be by email only. When applying, be sure to include a valid email address and check your mailbox frequently.

Failure to provide the requested information will prevent us from screening your application and will result in the rejection of your application. Applicants will not be solicited for incomplete or missing information.

We thank all those who apply.