OPEN CALL FOR SCHOLARSHIPS MACEDONIA2025 EXECUTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM IN CANADA

Smith School of Business at Queen's University | 2027

Empower your potential. Expand your impact. Join the next generation of Macedonian business leaders.

Macedonia2025 invites accomplished Macedonian managers, executives and entrepreneurs to apply for up to six partial scholarships under the 2027 Macedonia2025 Executive Education Program in Canada. Selected candidates will participate in one of two five-day executive education programs at the Smith School of Business at Queen's University in Kingston, Canada.

The program combines world-class executive education with international business exposure and networking opportunities designed to strengthen participants' leadership capacity, organizational impact and contribution to Macedonia's economic development.

Open Call at a Glance

Program	Macedonia2025 Executive Education Program in Canada
Executive education options	Leadership or Strategic Execution
Expected 2027 sessions	Leadership: June or November  or Strategic Execution: May or October
Duration	Five intensive days
Format and location	In-person at the Donald Gordon Hotel and Conference Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Program intensity	Intensive five-day, full-time executive learning experience requiring active participation throughout the entire program.
Scholarships available	Up to six partial scholarships
Participant contribution	EUR 2,500
Application deadline	October 20th 2026
Eligible applicants	Middle- and senior-level Macedonian managers, executives and entrepreneurs working in companies based in Macedonia
Important financial information The participant contribution represents only part of the total program cost. Participants are also responsible for travel, visa-related expenses, insurance, local transportation and personal expenses. Final amounts and payment terms will be specified in the Scholarship Agreement.

About the Macedonia2025 Executive Education Program in Canada

The Macedonia2025 Executive Education Program in Canada supports talented professionals who are committed to developing their leadership capabilities, improving the performance of their organizations and contributing to Macedonia's long-term economic development.

The program provides participants with access to internationally recognized executive education, practical learning that can be applied within their companies and opportunities to engage with members of the Macedonian business and professional community in Canada.

It is particularly relevant for leaders whose companies are pursuing growth, export development, internationalization, organizational transformation or stronger strategic execution.

About Smith School of Business and the Executive Programs

Smith School of Business at Queen's University is one of Canada's leading business schools and is internationally recognized for the quality of its management and executive education programs.

Applicants may select one of the following executive education programs:

1. Leadership

The Leadership Program strengthens participants' ability to lead themselves, teams and organizations. It is designed to help managers improve their leadership effectiveness, communication, influence, decision-making and capacity to guide teams through change.

Official program information: Leadership Program - Smith School of Business

2. Strategic Execution

The Strategic Execution Program focuses on translating strategy into results. It helps leaders align priorities, people and resources, strengthen accountability and overcome the organizational barriers that prevent effective implementation.

Official program information: Strategic Execution Program - Smith School of Business

Both programs are intensive, five-day executive education experiences designed to deliver practical learning, reflection and peer exchange within a concentrated period. Applicants may apply for only one of the two programs. The final program and session placement will depend on availability and confirmation by Macedonia2025 and Smith School of Business.

Expected 2027 Program Sessions

Program	Expected session	Format and location
Leadership	June 2027	In-person in Kingston, Ontario
Leadership	November 2027	In-person in Kingston, Ontario
Strategic Execution	May 2027	In-person in Kingston, Ontario
Strategic Execution	October 2027	In-person in Kingston, Ontario

The listed months are indicative and remain subject to the official 2027 calendar, program availability and confirmation by Smith School of Business. Applicants should indicate their preferred program and session and, where possible, whether they are available for an alternative session.

Scholarship and Financial Information

• Indicative full program cost: approximately CAD 11,000 plus applicable taxes, subject to confirmation by Smith School of Business.

• Participant contribution: EUR 2,500, payable by the participant or the participant's sponsoring company or organization.

• Program fee coverage: the program fee includes tuition, program materials, accommodation during the official five-day program and meals included as part of the program.

• Expenses covered by the participant: return travel, visa-related expenses, travel and health insurance, local transportation, accommodation and meals outside the official program period, personal expenses and any other costs not included in the program fee.

• Final confirmation: all financial obligations, deadlines and payment instructions will be specified in the Scholarship Agreement signed with Macedonia2025.

What the Program Offers

• an intensive five-day executive education experience at one of Canada's leading business schools;

• practical leadership or strategic execution knowledge that can be applied within the participant's organization;

• learning through faculty-led sessions, case discussions, exercises and peer exchange;

• exposure to executives and professionals from different sectors and countries;

• networking opportunities with Macedonia2025 members, supporters and professionals in Canada, subject to availability;

• support with program preparation, enrollment coordination and available visa documentation; and

• ongoing engagement with the Macedonia2025 executive education alumni community.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• be a Macedonian manager, executive or entrepreneur working in a company registered and operating in Macedonia;

• have at least five years of relevant professional experience, including experience in a middle- or senior-level managerial position;

• have responsibility for people, business functions, projects, budgets or strategic decisions;

• demonstrate strong professional achievements, leadership potential and readiness for further development;

• have an opportunity to apply and share the acquired knowledge within their company or organization;

• demonstrate an excellent command of English and the ability to participate effectively in an international learning environment;

• have the support of their employer or sponsoring organization, where applicable;

• be able to attend the full five-day program and participate in all required activities; and

• intend to continue their professional development in Macedonia and contribute to its economic development.

Female candidates and qualified applicants without prior exposure to international executive education programs are strongly encouraged to apply.

Attendance and Participant Commitments

Selected participants must be available for the full duration of the program and should expect an intensive schedule of full-day sessions, group work, practical exercises and networking activities. Participants are expected to fully disengage from their regular professional responsibilities during the official program period.

Each scholarship recipient will also be expected to:

• sign and comply with the Scholarship Agreement with Macedonia2025;

• participate in the pre-program orientation and required preparation activities;

• share relevant knowledge and lessons with colleagues and the wider Macedonia2025 community after completing the program;

• support younger professionals through mentoring, knowledge-sharing or other forms of community contribution;

• participate in relevant Macedonia2025 alumni, networking and knowledge-sharing activities;

• provide information and feedback required for program monitoring and evaluation; and

• provide photographs and a testimonial or other communication content related to the program experience.

Support Provided by Macedonia2025

• coordinate the application assessment and interview process;

• nominate selected candidates and coordinate enrollment with Smith School of Business;

• provide a confirmation or support letter for the Canadian visa application;

• provide available guidance during the visa and program preparation process;

• organize a pre-program orientation session;

• facilitate communication and networking among the selected participants;

• provide available logistical guidance related to the program;

• facilitate networking opportunities with Macedonia2025 members and supporters in Canada, subject to availability; and

• provide partial scholarship support toward the program cost.

Macedonia2025 cannot guarantee the issuance of a Canadian visa. Visa decisions are made solely by the relevant Canadian authorities.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the Macedonia2025 Application Assessment Form and submit all required supporting documents by the application deadline. Incomplete or late applications may not be considered.

Required Documents

• completed Macedonia2025 Application Assessment Form;

• CV in English, in Europass or a comparable professional format;

• recent high-resolution professional photograph; and

• confirmation of support from the applicant's employer or sponsoring organization, where applicable.

Macedonia2025 and the Selection Committee may request additional information or documentation during the assessment process.

Evaluation Criteria

Eligible applications will be assessed based on:

• the relevance, depth and level of the candidate's professional and managerial experience;

• the scope of the candidate's leadership, organizational and strategic responsibilities;

• demonstrated professional achievements and leadership potential;

• motivation and readiness to participate in an intensive international executive program;

• the expected impact on the candidate's organization and the wider Macedonian economy;

• the candidate's capacity to apply and share the acquired knowledge;

• commitment to completing all Macedonia2025 program obligations; and

• the candidate's ability to contribute meaningfully to an international cohort and the Macedonia2025 community.

Selection Process

1. Administrative review. Macedonia2025 will verify whether each application is complete and whether the candidate meets the basic eligibility requirements.

2. Evaluation by the Selection Committee. Eligible applications will be reviewed and assessed against the published evaluation criteria.

3. Candidate interviews. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview with the independent Selection Committee.

4. Final confirmation. Selected candidates will complete the required documentation, payment and enrollment process.

5. Smith School of Business approval. Final admission is subject to program availability and confirmation by Smith School of Business.

6. Notification. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of the selection process.

Indicative Selection Timeline

Open Call announced	September 20th  2026
Application deadline	October 20th 2026
Administrative review	Late October 2026
Selection Committee review and interviews	Early to mid-November 2026
Notification of selected candidates	Following completion of the selection and approval process

Important Eligibility and Participation Notes

• The call is open to Macedonian managers, executives and entrepreneurs based in Macedonia who are committed to advancing their professional careers in the country and contributing to its economic development.

• Applicants who received a scholarship through a Macedonia2025 executive education program during the three years preceding the application deadline are not eligible to apply.

• Selected candidates will be required to sign a Scholarship Agreement with Macedonia2025 and pay the participant contribution within the specified deadline.

• Selection is not final until the Scholarship Agreement has been signed, the participant contribution has been paid, all required documentation has been submitted, and final admission has been confirmed by Smith School of Business.

• Withdrawal, deferral, transfer to another program or session and non-refundable costs will be governed by the Scholarship Agreement and the applicable Smith School of Business policies.

• Macedonia2025 reserves the right to amend the timeline, number of scholarships, program placement, financial conditions or selection process if required due to changes in program availability, fees or other circumstances beyond its control.

Questions: Nena Manchev | nena@macedonia2025.com