Sustainable Procurement Fellowship

Accelerating the adoption of sustainable procurement to drive the transition to an equitable, low-carbon, circular economy.

Meet the SPF Alumni

CBSR’s Sustainable Procurement Fellowship (SPF), developed in partnership with HP, offers sustainability, finance, and procurement professionals a unique opportunity to connect with Canada’s leading experts, access cutting-edge tools, and craft a tailored procurement plan that drives your organization towards a net-zero future. 

What is the SPF? 

The Sustainable Procurement Fellowship is a 5-month mostly virtual program designed for 40 participants. Running from January to May 2025, the program includes 10 bi-weekly, two-hour workshops.

• Virtual workshops: 9 sessions will be held via Zoom.
• In-person workshops: 1 session will take place at GLOBExCHANGE in Toronto, February 11-13, 2025.

Throughout the program, Fellows will explore challenges and opportunities in sustainable procurement, working towards developing or enhancing a procurement strategy that meets their organization’s unique needs. 

Program Cost

• Standard fee: $3,500, including a full-access pass to GLOBExCHANGE, all 10 workshops, a social card, a virtual SPF badge, access to the SPF Resource Portal, and ongoing support from CBSR and SPF advisors.
• CBSR Member Discount: Members receive a 15% discount, reducing the fee to $2,975.

Why become a fellow?  

• Lead in Your Field: Position yourself as a recognized leader in sustainable procurement, a key area of ESG.
• Access New Tools: Gain exclusive access to resources that drive supply chain transformation and enhance sustainability.
• Professional Growth: Expand your knowledge, improve organizational coordination, and join a network of Canadian business leaders.

Sign Up for SPF Updates

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CBSR?  

• CBSR is Canada’s only membership association for companies co-creating a sustainable, equitable future.  CBSR is a pioneer in championing the idea that businesses do better – by every measure – when they operate in a socially and environmentally responsible way.  
• CBSR provides the tools, resources, peer-to-peer networking opportunities, workshops and events that help members build capacity in corporate sustainability. 

How has CBSR built diversity into the fellowship and organization? 

• The Sustainable Procurement Fellowship was created as an opportunity to drive meaningful change through collaboration across a wide range of industries and organizations.  
• We are looking to create the most diverse cohort possible; we seek individuals from differing ethnicities, abilities, identities, ages, industries and professions.
• We have included diversity as a consideration for the fellow selection process and created a handful of fellow positions available for bursaries to ensure that financial limitations will not be a barrier to inclusion.

What is the cost?

• The Sustainable Procurement Fellowship has an enrollment fee of $3,500.  We have bursaries available to ensure that financial cost is not a barrier to participation. 

Who should apply? 

• You!  We are looking for sustainability, finance and procurement professionals with diverse experiences and perspectives to transform supply chains across several industries, cut GHG emissions, and lead the transition to an equitable, net-zero economy.  

• Whether you are passionate about tackling climate change, searching for ways to ensure your company meets its targets, or looking to gain new relevant skills that will help you as an aspiring leader, the Sustainable Procurement Fellowship is here to help you succeed. 
• It is important to us that fellows are senior enough at their organization to have the influence, authority and reach required to drive change.  

What is the application process? 

• The application is an online form completed by prospective fellows.  Applications are due by November 1, 2024. 

Where will meetings be held? 

• Almost all meetings will be held virtually except for one in-person meeting, which will take place in conjunction with GLOBExCHANGE from February 11-13 in Toronto, ON. 

What are the responsibilities of a fellow? 

• Engagement: Attend all workshops, with a strong commitment to participation. 
• Implementation: Actively apply sustainable procurement practices within your organization. 
• Collaboration: Involve your broader team to maximize the impact of the program’s outcomes. 

What is the selection process/how are fellows selected? 

• CBSR and the selection committee will review submitted applications and select 40 individuals based on their availability, organizational support, and overall diversity.  

Do I need Organizational Support to participate in the program?  

• Yes, we request confirmation that your senior leadership has been notified of the SPF program and that they support your participation. You will be asked to confirm organizational support as part of the on-boarding process. 
• We know that change does not happen without organization-wide support and buy-in, so it is vital that all SPF fellows discussed the program with their organization and received support to commit time, resources and effort towards advancing sustainable procurement.  
• Every fellow must commit fully to the program, we have the opportunity to significantly impact Canada’s net-zero journey and signal to the Canadian economy that sustainable procurement is the new standard. 

What is the length of a fellow term? 

• The fellow term is from January 2025 to May 2025. 

What is the time commitment of being a fellow? 

• Fellows will be expected to attend 10 virtual workshops held bi-weekly between January 2025 and May 2025.  Fellows will be expected to complete homework assignments that accompany the workshop curriculum, approximately 2 hours of additional work before each workshop.  
• Fellows have the opportunity to attend one in-person event, GLOBExCHANGE, from February 11 – 13, 2025, in Toronto, ON.   

What is sustainable procurement? 

• Sustainable procurement ensures that buyers obtain the best value for money when purchasing the most sustainable goods and services from the most sustainable suppliers in support of their organization’s stated purpose and strategic goals.  
• This means counting all the costs included in a good or service, not just the initial purchase price, but the impact that the purchase and supplier have on people and the environment.