Case Competition

It is designed to highlight the excellence of Canadian public administration programs and students, and to provide a valuable learning experience for students. Canadian universities that have programs in public administration may compete.

Past Competitions and Results

Honor Roll

Congradulations to the 2026 winning teams of the CAPPA National Public Administration Student Case Competition!

The Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration (CAPPA) extends its sincere congratulations to the three winning teams, and warmly thank the thirteen teams that participated in the 2026 competition.

Theme

Elbows Up: Getting Dead Serious About National Security

The 2026 National Public Administration Student Case Competition was launched on February 11, 2026 and hosted virtually on February 21, 2026.

The winning teams

Shepherd Prixe (Gold): Concordia university (For the second consecutive year.)
Silver Prize: Carleton University
Bronze Prize: Glendon College

The case challenge

This year’s challenge required participating teams to develop the focus and priorities for a new national security strategy, to be briefed to the National Security Committee of Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister.

The case study is available in French and English on the ACPAP website. To view the full presentations, follow this link.

The National Annual Public Administration Student Case Competition is organized annually by CAPPA with annual and committed support by the Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC), Canada School of Public Service (CSPS), and the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP). Member schools of CAPPA are invited to compete in the competition with the aim of highlighting the excellence of Canadian public administration and public policy programs and their students. Each year, the competition brings together the best and brightest students.

2015 Case Competition Participants are organized into teams of four presenters and one alternate which are presented with a "real world" and current public administration case, with accompanying background material. They work together to develop the best solution to the case study questions and problem over a 10-day period. There is one round of competition held the third Saturday in February. Individual schools usually put together their teams in the fall term, either by direct invitation of the coaches or through a run-off competition. For more information on the format of the competition, please consult the rules and procedures.

The judging panel is selected from senior officials, many of whom have some attachment or familiarity with the case study. The competition has attracted judges from federal, provincial/territorial, municipal, private sector and nonprofit organizations. The competition has been very fortunate to have been able to attract very influential and talented officials who wish to support the experience of students entering what has become one of CAPPA's most important events in the year. The competition is also very well supported by faculty coaches and mentors who give generously of their time and experience, most often in ways not replicated in classroom experience.

Teams then develop 30-minute presentations that are made to a panel of judges. An assessment rubric will be provided before work begins, and time limits are strictly enforced.

Quality of the presentations is always high. A list of winners is available on our Honour Roll page.

Past Cases and the Results of past Competitions

Congratulations to the 2026 winning teams of the CAPPA Case Competition!

Elbows Up: Getting Dead Serious About National Security The 2026 National Public Administration Student Case Competition was launched on February 11, 2026 and hosted virtually on February 21, 2026. The case challenge This year’s challenge required participating teams to develop…