About this opportunity
NEXT 36 is NEXT Canada's founder fellowship for students and recent grads who are serious about building a company. Every year the program selects 36 founders for eight months of support: part time and remote from January to April 2027, then in person in Toronto from May through August 2027.
The deal has gotten better for founders. Since September 2025 there is no participation fee and no equity is taken, removing the 2.
5 percent equity requirement that used to apply. Participants cover their own summer living expenses in Toronto.
What you get is access. Each fellow is matched with a mentor who has launched a venture, gains free office space in Toronto for the summer, plugs into the NEXT Canada investor network, and joins an alumni community of more than 1,000 founders.
The application is individual, so co-founders each apply separately, and only National Selection Weekend admits Lead Founders. There is no minimum GPA.
You write short answers, record a 60 second video, and you can save and resume the application until the
Application timeline
Applications are open now and the
Application timeline
is 14 October 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern.
What you receive
- One of 36 students and recent grads picked each year
- A mentor who has launched a venture
- Free office space in Toronto for the summer
- Access to the NEXT Canada investor network
- An alumni community of more than 1,000 founders
- No participation fee and no equity taken, with the 2.5 percent equity requirement removed in September 2025
Who can apply
- Undergrads, master's students and recent grads at Canadian schools in any discipline
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or those with student or working visas
- The application is individual, so co-founders each apply separately
- Only National Selection Weekend admits Lead Founders
- No minimum GPA
How to apply
- Start the application on the NEXT 36 page; it opened 13 August 2026
- Write the short answers and record a 60 second video
- Save and resume as needed, then submit before 14 October 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern
Sources and verification
Questions applicants ask
Does NEXT Canada take equity now?
No. The 2.5 percent equity requirement was removed in September 2025, and there is no participation fee.
My co-founder and I want to apply together, can we share one application?
No. The application is individual, so co-founders each apply separately, and only National Selection Weekend admits Lead Founders.
Where and when does the program run?
Part time and remote from January to April 2027, then in person in Toronto from May through August 2027.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
