SPF 2026 is delivered in partnership with:
What is the Sustainable Procurement Fellowship Program (SPF)?
The Sustainable Procurement Fellowship (SPF) is a national, virtual training program delivered by CBSR that supports organizations in integrating sustainability into procurement processes and decision-making.
The program is structured as a cohort-based learning experience and is designed for professionals working in procurement, sustainability, and supply chain roles within medium and large organizations. SPF focuses specifically on the practical application of sustainability criteria in purchasing, sourcing, and supplier engagement.
Since launching in 2023, SPF has trained 88 professionals from 82 organizations across Canada, contributing to a growing national community of practice in sustainable procurement.
The program consists of eight virtual workshops delivered over four months. Sessions build progressively and combine applied frameworks, practical tools, peer exchange, and real-world case examples. Workshops are led by experienced practitioners and subject-matter experts and are designed to support participants at different stages of their sustainable procurement journey.
Why Become an SPF Fellow?
- Move from intention to implementation: Fellows gain practical frameworks, tools, and examples that can be directly applied to sourcing, RFPs, supplier engagement, and internal decision-making.
- Learn from real-world practice: Sessions are led by experienced practitioners and subject-matter experts, with case examples grounded in the realities of large and mid-sized organizations.
- Build a national community of practice: Fellows join a cross-sector network of sustainability and procurement professionals facing similar challenges and opportunities, creating space for peer learning and ongoing collaboration.
- Strengthen professional credibility and influence: The program supports participants in building internal momentum, aligning stakeholders, and advancing sustainable procurement within their organizations.
- Proven impact beyond the program: Across past cohorts, 76% of fellows report starting, planning, or strengthening sustainable procurement initiatives after completing the program, and 98% want to remain engaged in the SPF community of practice.
Apply now to become a 2026 Fellow
Who should apply
The Sustainable Procurement Fellowship is designed for professionals who are ready to move from sustainability ambition to procurement action.
The program is a strong fit for:
- Sustainability, procurement, and supply chain professionals, typically with 5–15 years of experience
- Individuals working in medium to large organizations
- Professionals with the ability to influence or lead change within their organization
- Participants with organizational support and sufficient time to engage fully in the program
- Professionals looking for practical, applied approaches to integrating sustainability into procurement decisions
We have received many expressions of interest in SPF from professionals globally, however, this program is only appropriate for, and available to, people working in Canada.
Have questions before applying?
Email the CBSR team at julian@cbsr.ca
Program fees and what’s included
The Sustainable Procurement Fellowship is a paid, cohort-based program designed to deliver practical value for professionals and their organizations.
Program fee:
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- CAD $3,500 per participant
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- CBSR members receive a 15% discount: CAD $2,975
Your registration includes:
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- Participation in 8 live, virtual workshops as part of the program curriculum
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- Access to 3 SPF alumni meetings, one of them in person at the Toronto Climate Week in June 2026
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- Access to practical tools, frameworks, and curated resources
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- Exposure to real-world case studies from leading organizations
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- Peer learning with a national cohort of sustainability and procurement professionals
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- Ongoing access to the SPF alumni community of practice
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- An SPF LinkedIn completion badge
Program format:
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- 8 interactive virtual workshops, held between March and June
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- Sessions build on each other and are designed to be applied in real time
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- Led by experienced practitioners and subject-matter experts
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- Designed for organizations at different stages of their sustainable procurement journey
2026 Program Schedule
The program consists of eight live virtual workshops. Sessions are held on Wednesdays and run bi-weekly, except for the first two sessions, which take place on consecutive weeks.
Program Schedule | Workshop Topics (2-hour virtual sessions)
All sessions are held from 2:00–4:00 pm ET |11:00 am–1:00 pm PT | 12:00–2:00 pm MT
| Workshop Title | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sustainable procurement foundations and making the case | March 25 |
| 2 | Strategy, alignment, and high-impact opportunity identification | April 1 |
| 3 | Circularity and sustainable procurement | April 15 |
| 4 | Social procurement and supplier diversity | April 29 |
| 5 | Low-carbon procurement | May 13 |
| 6 | Effective supplier engagement strategies | May 27 |
| 7 | Building buy-in and integration through communications and training | June 10 |
| 8 | Synthesizing and actioning our learning | June 24 |
Clean 50 2024 Award-Winning Program
The Sustainable Procurement Fellowship (SPF) has been recognized as a Clean50 2024 Award-winning Project. This award celebrates Canada’s top sustainability initiatives, recognizing projects that demonstrate leadership and innovation in advancing sustainability. The SPF program was awarded for its unique contribution to sustainable procurement across industries, helping organizations reduce Scope 3 emissions and integrate sustainability into their procurement processes. This recognition underscores the program’s impact and its role in shaping the future of responsible sourcing in Canada.
