Application Guidelines
The Young Leaders Summit will inspire a new generation of public transit leaders, users and advocates as we build a more sustainable and equitable future. The summit will be held in Montreal, Quebec, from October 31 - November 2, 2025.
It’s a unique opportunity for post-secondary students, new grads and early career professionals to learn, share ideas and connect with peers and industry professionals.
If you are 18 to 28 years old, or an early career professional, don’t miss this opportunity for an all-expenses-paid experience (except for a nominal registration fee) with travel, accommodations, meals, summit participation, and in-town transportation. Applicants must reside in Canada, and have a keen interest in public transit, sustainable transportation, advocacy and leadership.
Applications for the Young Leaders Summit open July 1, 2025.
The final application deadline is on August 18, 2025.
We expect to complete the evaluation of YLS applications by the end of August, and will be notifying applicants by no later than September 12th, 2025.
For additional questions, contact yls@cutaactu.ca. We look forward to receiving your application!
Sincerely,
CUTA Young Leaders Summit Organizing Team
1. Eligible Applicants
Applicants must be Canadian residents and be at least 18 years of age as of October 31, 2025. Overall, up to 70 applicants may be selected.
The following persons are invited to apply:
Youth ages 18-28 years old who are interested in public transit and/or sustainable transportation
Post-secondary students who are passionate about the public transit industry and sustainable transportation
Students enrolled in masters programs with limited experience working in a related profession
New graduates/professionals in their first few years of work (i.e., 1st and 2nd years of professional work)
The CUTA Young Leaders Summit aims reflect the diversity of Canada’s communities and the public transit industry. This diversity includes:
Educational backgrounds (planning, engineering, architecture, communications, trades etc.)
Life stages (e.g., undergraduate, graduate, new grads, and new professionals)
Geographic (provincial, territorial and municipal jurisdictions of Canada)
Gender identities and sexual orientations (e.g., LGBTQ2S identifying persons)
Cultural backgrounds (e.g., Indigenous, Asian, South & Central American, African, Afro-Caribbean
Sharing these details in your submission is appreciated and will help the for the selection committee ensure diverse representation at the summit. Your personal information is protected under CUTA’s Privacy Policy.
Participants from previous national or regional CUTA Youth Summit events are not eligible to participate; however, they may be considered for roles as speakers, volunteers, or facilitators. If you are interested in taking part in this way, please indicate your interest by contacting yls@cutaactu.ca
2. Application Requirements
All personal information and supporting documentation are to be submitted at https://event.fourwaves.com/cutayls/submission
Supporting documentation includes:
Application Submission (choose one of the following):
1) 1 page essay, 500 word maximum, single-spaced
2) YouTube video (3-minute maximum)
3) Poster / Infographic (1 “page” maximum)
Resume/CV. 1-page maximum, file size 1MB or less
Completed application form. https://event.fourwaves.com/cutayls/submission
There is no fee to submit a delegate application to attend the Young Leaders Summit. If your application to attend is successful, a nominal fee will apply to secure your registration. The fee structure is as follows:
Students: $200
Early-career Professionals: $350
Delegates must be willing to travel to the summit with travel options provided for their region - intercity bus, use of their own vehicle and be reimbursed mileage at a pre-determined rate or by air for select locations only.
3. Application Timeline
July 1, 2025 - Applications Open
August 18, 2025 - Applications Close
September 5, 2025 - Successful applicants notified
September 12, 2025 - Successful applicant acceptance deadline
October 31 - November 2, 2025 - CUTA Young Leaders Summit in Montreal, Quebec
4. Application Submission
Choose one of the following methods to for your Application Submission:
1 page essay, 500 word maximum, single-spaced
YouTube video (3-minute maximum)
Poster / Infographic (1 “page” maximum)
Your application submission should tell us a bit about who you are, and showcase your passion and knowledge related to sustainable transportation. Be unique! We want to see why you’re a strong candidate for the Young Leaders Summit, whether it’s your existing work with public transit, your passion for advocacy, or your future goals for making a difference in your community.
Here are some ideas of topics you may touch on in your submission:
Your experience and goals.
What experience do you have in sustainable transportation and/or urban issues?
What skills and qualities do you have that make you a suitable candidate for the upcoming summit?
Are you interested in pursuing a career in sustainable transportation or related fields? If so, which area(s)?
Your life and sustainable transportation.
What role does sustainable urban transportation play in your life?
Challenges and opportunities in sustainable transportation.
In your view, what are the challenges and opportunities in sustainable transportation in your own community?
How would you work with your local transit system and other important local stakeholders to encourage sustainable transportation in your community post-summit?
What are your goals, interests and motivation for taking action in your community? What skills and tools will you need to meet your objectives?
Promoting transit for your peer group (18-28 years olds and/or early career professionals).
How can the transit industry best promote the use of public transit as a lifestyle choice for your peer group (18-28-year-olds and/or early career professionals)? What should the transit industry be doing? Why?
Your Vision.
What is your vision for increasing the use of public transit and other forms of sustainable transportation to improve sustainability and quality of life in our cities and communities?
Vision in Action.
Describe your idea(s) for making your vision a reality through a sustainable transportation project or initiative.
Plan for Action.
What resources and skills do you hope to acquire through your participation at the Youth Summit to assist you in launching this project or initiative?
