Graduate Student Conference 2026

Date: May 7, 2026

Location: KPMG, 150 Elgin St Suite 1800, Ottawa, ON

Abstract Submission Deadline: The final date to submit an abstract is April 8, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified the following week.

This event is complimentary for all participants, including audience members. If you would like to be a part of our audience, please register. Capacity is limited.

The Graduate Student Conference provides students with a unique platform to present their research, create professional connections, and hone their skills for the future.

Who’s coming?

GLOBAL AFFAIRS CANADA / DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE / INDUSTRY / ACADEMIA

Participants will be given the opportunity to present their research and receive constructive feedback from a panel of high-profile judges who are active decision-makers in industry, government, academia, and think tanks across Canada. Our judges and audience will be taking note of who you are and the quality of your work. This is your chance to get your name out there, showcase your research to senior-level practitioners, and have it shared broadly within the Canadian defence and security community.

FORMAT: The Conference will take place on May 7, 2026 at the KPMG office in Ottawa, Ontario. Travel stipends are available and will be awarded on a first come first serve basis.

An evening social will be held for all participants of the Graduate Student Conference. ID required for entry.

Questions on format/travel stipends can be sent to kawtar@cdainstitute.ca or emmylou@cdainstitute.ca.

The CDA Institute will recognize outstanding contributions through the following awards:

First Place, in collaboration with Peter Hunter Award by the Royal Canadian Military Institute – $3,000
Second Place – $2,000
Third Place – $1,000
Honourable Mentions (4) – $750 each

The highest-ranked papers will be considered for publication with the CDA Institute, offering selected authors the opportunity to contribute to Canada’s leading defence and security think tank.

This award is made possible thanks to the generous support of our Strategic Partner, Metro Supply Chain, whose contribution of $8,000 helps us fund this opportunity for students. We sincerely thank Metro Supply Chain for their support in helping us recognize and encourage emerging talent in defence and security.

*To be eligible for the Peter Hunter Award your presentation must clearly provide a Canadian security & defence policy response to the topic at hand.

If you are a young professional, and a doctoral (Ph.D.), master’s level student, or recent graduate (up to 2 years) from an accredited university, you are eligible to participate in the CDA Institute’s Graduate Student Conference as a presenter.

ABSTRACT GUIDELINES

Submit a brief academic or professional biography.
Clearly state the topic of your research that you wish to present at the Conference.
Areas of interest include but are not limited to: Canadian Defence Policy / Arctic Sovereignty and Northern Security / Defence Industry and Economic Security / Technology, Innovation and Sovereign Capabilities / NORAD and Continental Defence Modernization / Recruitment and Retention in the Canadian Armed Forces / Canada’s Place in the World / Critical Minerals and Supply Chains / Climate Security for Canada.
Your research should aim to solve a problem in Canadian national security and defence. Clearly state what that problem is, and how your research can contribute to the solution.
Abstracts should be 200 words max.
Submit as a PDF or Word document.
Papers can be submitted in English or French.

*You do not need to submit your full research paper at this stage. Only those whose abstracts are accepted will be asked to submit a full paper. The full paper should be 3,000 words and submitted by May 1st, 2026.

PRESENTATIONS

The day of the Conference, you will be asked to present your paper and its key arguments. Presentations will be 7-8 minutes long. Each student will be asked at least one question by the judge panel. Students may use visual support for their presentation. Additional information on what to expect the day of the event will be provided to applications whose abstracts are selected. Presentations can be in English or French.

If you have any questions about your desired research topic, please contact lilit@cdainstitute.ca