Public Servant-in-Residence Initiative

The Public Servant-in-Residence Initiative (PSIR) places mid-career public servants in Canadian universities to conduct research and/or teach in areas linked to departmental objectives and broader Federal Public Service priorities. These assignments may be undertaken on either a full- or part-time basis and require an Interchange Canada Agreement.

Objectives
Benefits
Assignments
Application process
Approval process
Resources

Objectives

The objectives of the PSIR are to:

encourage stronger linkages and greater collaboration with Canadian universities and the federal government through knowledge exchange;
collaborate with universities on joint research and Federal Public Service recruitment opportunities;
provide tomorrow’s workforce with an understanding of how government works.

Benefits

The PSIR offers participants an opportunity to:

access leading-edge thinkers in their area of expertise;
conduct joint research with/for academics;
contribute to Federal Public Service renewal with recruitment activities on campus.

The PSIR offers Canadian universities an opportunity to:

gain access to senior practitioners who have a wealth of practical experience and knowledge;
have an experienced peer who can support research, teaching, networking and recruitment events;
strengthen their relations with the Federal Public Service.

Assignments

The issues explored on assignment must be linked to departmental and/or Federal Public Service priorities, and the resident’s activities must be reported publically through the university’s website. Candidates are encouraged to engage in a wide variety of activities while on campus, including delivering lectures, conducting research, working on collaborative projects with faculty, supporting the Deputy Minister University Champion on campus (if applicable), helping create new programs and courses, reviewing curriculum, supporting campus recruitment activities and mentoring students.

Residents are expected to bring the knowledge they gain back to their department and the broader Federal Public Service as they network during and after the completion of their assignment. A report summarizing their activities while on assignment is due to the Canada School of Public Service 30–days following their reintegration to the public service.

Application process

All prospective candidates are advised to contact the Canada School of Public Service prior to contacting a potential destination university or proceeding to develop their application. Note that applications are reviewed by two Deputy Ministers to ensure value to the Federal Public Service.

Applications are to be submitted at the latest by July 31st for a September start date or by November 30th for a January start date. Late applications will not be considered.

The full approval process for a PSIR application may take between 4 weeks and 3 months.

Candidates are required to submit the following documents:

Application form
- Assignment application form (Word document)
Deputy minister letter or email of support (from their substantive Deputy Minister), which must include their commitment to pay the candidate's salary, benefits and reasonable moving expenses (if applicable) while on assignment, in addition to a commitment to support the candidate's reintegration back into the Federal Public Service following the assignment;
University letter or email of support, which must include a commitment to host the candidate and provide them with office space, equipment and administrative support;
Curriculum vitæ, which must demonstrate the candidate's potential for success in an academic environment; and
Letter of Reference, from two executives of the Federal Public Service confirming the candidate’s capacity to undertake research and/or teach.

Please send your questions to the Public Servant-in-Residence initiative before completing your application.

Approval process

Applications to the PSIR initiative are reviewed and approved by the President of the Canada School of Public Service. Once their applications are approved, residents employed by departments listed in schedules I and IV of the Financial Administration Act (unless excluded by specific acts, regulations or orders-in-council) are required to complete an Interchange Canada Agreement. For more information on how to complete the agreement, candidates can contact their organization's human resources advisor or visit the Interchange Canada website.