Early Career Canadian Urban Leaders join the School of Cities during the first 10 years of their career in an area or field that addresses a key urban issue such as civic and community engagement, housing, climate change, social justice, migration, inequality and democracy.
The 2026-27 program will support an individual who is working at the intersection of inequality, data, and democracy.
Cities are powerful spaces for democratic innovation, but growing inequality threatens inclusive participation. The 2026-27 Early Career Canadian Urban Leader will present a proposal that considers different forms of urban data, and collaboration across communities and disciplines, to uncover hidden inequities and co-create more just, transparent, and responsive urban systems.
Applications for 2026-27 Early Career Canadian Urban Leader
Applications are open until January 26, 2026 for the 2026-27 Early Career Canadian Urban Leader – a one-year residency for one emerging leader to work with the School of Cities at University of Toronto from April 2026-March 2027.
The School of Cities seeks project proposals to be the 2026 Early Career Canadian Leader (ECCUL). Proposals should articulate an urban focused project or proposal addressing the theme of inequality, data and democracy. This year-long residency will give an individual who is in the first 10 years of their career in any creative, activist, policy, or professional field the opportunity to collaborate, research, and create or mobilize knowledge that engages with the work we do at School of Cities.
The 2026-27 ECCUL will have the opportunity to participate in the School of Cities community in the following ways:
- Propose and lead programs, events, and activities
- Contribute to the publications and knowledge products of the School of Cities
- Work, meet, and host on the University of Toronto campus
- Attend events, roundtables, seminars, and symposia organized or sponsored by the School of Cities
- Receive mentorship from Canadian Urban Leaders and Urbanists-in-Residence
- Receive a stipend of $50,000 CAD to be in-residence at the School of Cities
- Engage with students, staff, and faculty to support research, capacity-building, outreach, event coordination, and communications
Application process
Please complete and submit the application form by 5 p.m. ET on January 26, 2026. All applications must be submitted electronically with uploads in the requested format (.pdf).
Supporting documentation needed to apply
Please ensure you have the following documentation available in digital format prior to beginning the application process. Please note that we only accept documents in .PDF form. Once you have compiled the required documentation, please fill out the ECCUL Artist-in-Residence application form including:
- A statement (maximum 700 words) describing what makes you an ideal candidate for ECCUL
- A curriculum vitae, no more than 3 pages, including:
- Details of work experience indicating that you are in the first 10 years of your current career path
- Demonstrated leadership potential and capacity
- Portfolio with significant focus on urban themes
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to community engagement
- A brief outline (maximum 700 words) of your proposed project focus and/or interest, aligned with the School of Cities mission and the theme of inequality, data, and democracy
- Names and contact information for two (2) referees (former/current employers, supervisors, or community leaders whom you have worked with in the past 5 years). Only the references of shortlisted applicants will receive an email from the School of Cities inviting them to complete a reference form.
FAQs
Following the application process, eligible candidates are reviewed by the Appointments Committee, comprised of members of the School of Cities Leadership Team, Advisory Council, and former Canadian Urban Leader(s), and chaired by the Director.
All appointments will be for a one-year term.
Applications are due by January 26, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET.
Please ensure you have the following documentation available in digital format prior to beginning the application process. Please note that we only accept documents in .PDF form.
- A statement (maximum 1000 words) describing what makes you an ideal candidate for ECCUL.
- A curriculum vitae, no more than 3 pages, including:
- Details of work experience indicating that you are in the first 10 years of your current career path
- Demonstrated leadership potential and capacity
- Portfolio with significant focus on urban themes
- Demonstrated experience and commitment to community engagement
- A brief outline (maximum 1000 words) of the proposed project focus and/or interest, aligned with the School of Cities mission and the theme of inequality, data, and democracy
- Names and contact information for two (2) referees (former/current employers, supervisors, or community leaders whom you have worked with in the past 5 years). Only the references of shortlisted applicants will receive an email from the School of Cities inviting them to complete a reference form.
Candidates for ECCUL must:
- Demonstrate leadership potential and capacity
- Be in the first 10 years of their current career path
- Have demonstrated experience and commitment to community engagement
- Articulate a clear project focus aligned with the School of Cities Mission and theme
- Be eligible to work in Canada
Early Career designation is not defined by factors such as age, level of educational training, or work experience. Rather, early career designates an individual who identifies as early in the trajectory of their current career path (typically within 10 years of terminal degree completion).
Applicants should expect to work on-site at the School of Cities two days per week. Details will be negotiated with the School upon acceptance.
The ECCUL is expected to commit the equivalent of two working days per week to their role with the School of Cities. The schedule can be flexible to accommodate various needs and responsibilities.
Funding of $50,000 CAD is available as a taxable stipend, paid over 12 months.
Early Career Canadian Urban Leaders must be eligible to work in Canada.
All appointments will be for a one-year term.
Please email outreach.sofc@utoronto.ca with any questions or requests.
2025-26 Early Career Canadian Urban Leader
Dana Prieto
Dana is an artist, educator, and researcher based in Tkaronto. Her site-responsive practice examines personal and collective relations with colonial structures through a careful attention to the ground, and the different forms of living and dying within it. She holds a Master of Visual Studies from University of Toronto, and her work has been presented in national and international galleries, public spaces, and informal cultural venues. Dana is a co-founder and educator at SHEEEPschool, a research associate for Finding Flowers project, and the coordinator of the podcast “Sounds Like Land.”
Sam Carter-Shamai
In March 2024, urban planner and community advocate Sam Carter-Shamai joined the School of Cities as our 2024-25 Early Career Canadian Urban Leader
Chiyi Tam
In March 2023, Chiyi Tam, Executive Director, Kensington Market Community Land Trust, joined the School of Cities as our 2023-24 Early Career Canadian Urban Leader.
Cheryll Case
In January 2022, CP Planning Founder and Affordable Housing Advocate, Cheryll Case joined the School of Cities as an Early Career Canadian Urban Leader
The work of Visiting Experts is self-directed, and opinions expressed during their time with us do not necessarily reflect the positions of the School of Cities.