Ottawa, Canada - Fulbright Canada, in partnership with the Maple Leaf Foundation, is proud to announce the 2026 recipients of the Community Action Program (CAP) grant, an initiative that empowers Fulbright and Killam alums to translate academic insight into meaningful, community-driven impact across Canada and the United States.
This year’s recipients exemplify the program’s mission: bridging research and lived experience to address pressing social, environmental, and public health challenges through innovative, community-based projects.
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Among the awardees is Dr. Pascale Fournier, a Fulbright Scholar and professor at the University of Ottawa, whose project, From Law to Living Knowledge, brings law students into direct engagement with Indigenous communities at the KWE! Festival in Quebec City. By moving beyond legal theory into lived experience, the initiative fosters a deeper understanding of identity, belonging, and reconciliation.
Mr. Noah Khan, a Fulbright Canada Student, will lead Land, Learning, and Futures, a youth-focused program in the Rouge Valley that combines Indigenous knowledge, land stewardship, and emerging technologies. Through workshops and a culminating public exhibition, students will explore how artificial intelligence and environmental responsibility intersect in shaping future communities.
Addressing global health at the local level, Fulbright Scholar Dr. Kari Brossard Stoos introduces Microbes in Our Water, a hands-on initiative that engages elementary students in Ithaca, New York, in investigating antibiotic resistance in their environment. By empowering youth as scientific learners and community advocates, the project highlights the critical connections between environmental and public health.
Ms. Dineli Fernando, a Killam Fellow, expands access to STEAM education through STEAMistic, a volunteer-led initiative that delivers hands-on learning opportunities to youth from communities across Alberta. Through strong community partnerships, the program nurtures both academic growth and personal development.
Fulbright Canada Student Ms. Vivian Giang centers Indigenous knowledge and environmental stewardship in ?u?uya awiyabi—the keeping of plants. Working with Elders from Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, the project supports youth in reconnecting with the land and preserving traditional ecological knowledge through community-based science.
Entrepreneur Ms. Keyia Yalcin, recipient of the Short-Term Entrepreneur Award, advances workforce development through Career Lab: Sustainable Food Systems. Her program equips Baltimore youth with hands-on experience in aquaculture and sustainable agriculture, building pathways into future-focused careers while promoting environmental responsibility.
Finally, Fulbright Scholar Dr. Robin McCrary addresses gaps in access to community health care through The Next Rx: Community, an innovative social prescribing initiative in Waterloo, Ontario. By connecting healthcare providers with local, non-clinical supports, the project aims to reduce isolation and improve holistic well-being.
“These projects demonstrate the power of community-engaged scholarship,” said Dr. Michael Hawes, President and CEO of Fulbright Canada. “Each recipient is translating knowledge into action, promoting social impact, and creating tangible benefits while strengthening cross-border understanding and collaboration.”
The Fulbright Canada–Maple Leaf Foundation Community Action Program reflects a shared commitment to fostering leadership, innovation, and civic engagement. By supporting initiatives beyond academia, the program continues to make a lasting impact in communities across both countries.
To learn more about the Fulbright Canada-Maple Leaf Foundation Community Action Program, visit: https://www.fulbright.ca/alumni/program-opportunities/community-action-program