The NSPC is an annual competition hosted by the Canada School of Public Service. The competition aims to identify and amplify important policy work coming out of Canadian graduate programs. The initiative gives graduate students the opportunity to connect with senior executives, expand their networks, nurture their leadership skills, and foster employment opportunities with the federal public service.
As a professor or graduate supervisor, you play a crucial role in the NSPC. Your expertise in the field gives you a unique insight into the ideas and thinkers that can make a difference in Canadian policy. Only university professors or supervisors can submit papers on behalf of their students. You can encourage your graduate students to submit an academic or research paper they have been working on or write something innovative. The Grand Prize winner(s) of the competition are offered a 4-month internship with the Government of Canada and many opportunities to expand their networks. In addition, the authors of the top five papers are invited to present their papers to senior executives and can attend many events with public servants from diverse departments. By participating, students have the unique opportunity to influence important policy conversations, and many participants go on to be employed with the federal government.
The NSPC initiative is committed to contributing to a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive Canadian public service. We strongly encourage the participation of students from equity-deserving groups, including graduate students with disabilities, or from BIPOC and 2SLGBTQI+ communities. This competition is designed to remove barriers, ensure a fair assessment, and allow all candidates to demonstrate their competencies fully. Accommodation measures are available to applicants upon request.
We look forward to receiving papers from your graduate students. We ask you kindly to share the following promotional videos with your students, colleagues in your department or graduate program, and co-op and experiential learning coordinators.
