Wilfrid Laurier University

Purpose

The initiative proposes a fellowship program to establish a Canadian-Indo Pacific research institute at OP Jindal Global University in India, managed by Wilfrid Laurier University. The program will fund Canadian scholars for research placements focused on sustainable trade, ESG compliance, and gender equity in the workforce. Over two years, it will award fellowships of $15,000 for master’s students, $18,000 for doctoral students, and $70,000 for postdoctoral fellows, with placements ranging from 4–6 months (students/faculty) to 12 months (postdocs). Research will address four themes: sustainable supply chains and ESG, gender equity in trade and labor, green finance and digital trade, and sustainable accounting and carbon pricing. The $520,000 budget covers scholarships, travel, workshops, and program administration. The project aims to strengthen Canada-India academic collaboration, produce policy-relevant research, and advance Canada’s Indo-Pacific and Trade Diversification Strategies through inclusive, research-driven engagement.?