GraceKennedy is accepting applications for its 2027 Birthright Programme, which will bring four university students from the Jamaican diaspora to the island for six weeks of professional work experience and cultural immersion.
The program is open to second- and third-generation Jamaicans ages 18 to 25 who are enrolled at universities in the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom. Two lucky students will be selected from the United States, along with one from Canada and one from the United Kingdom.
Participants will complete internships across GraceKennedy’s Jamaican operations while also taking part in activities focused on the country’s history, culture, and traditions. The program is fully funded.
“This is more than an internship. It’s an opportunity to discover where you come from while shaping your future,” GraceKennedy Ltd. CEO Frank James said. “Through the Birthright Programme, GraceKennedy is investing in the next generation of leaders who will carry Jamaica’s story into communities and industries around the world.”
GraceKennedy launched the Birthright Programme in 2004. Since then, more than 60 young people from Jamaican communities overseas have participated.
The initiative comes as Jamaica continues to maintain close economic, cultural and family ties with a large population living abroad.
Jamaican migration expanded significantly during the 20th century, with large communities forming in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. Thousands of Jamaicans traveled to Britain during the post-World War II Windrush era, while others settled in cities including New York, Miami and Toronto in search of employment, education and new opportunities.
Those migration patterns helped create a diaspora that has remained closely connected to Jamaica through remittances, family relationships, business investment, music, food and other cultural traditions. Children and grandchildren of Jamaican migrants now make up a substantial part of those overseas communities, creating increased interest in programs focused on heritage and reconnection.
Kyrah McIntosh, a Liverpool Hope University student who participated in the 2025 program, said the experience allowed her to build professional skills while developing a closer relationship with Jamaica.
“Working with GraceKennedy gave me valuable professional experience, but what stood out most was the opportunity to experience Jamaica firsthand through its people, culture and history,” said McIntosh. “It helped me connect with my heritage in a way I never had before, and for the first time, it truly felt like coming home.”
The 2026 program was postponed following Hurricane Melissa.
For the 2027 class, shortlisted applicants will be invited to in-person interviews in Miami, New York, Toronto and London in spring 2027. Successful applicants are expected to begin the program in June.
Applicants must have a Jamaican parent or grandparent and meet the age and university enrollment requirements.
The application deadline is Nov. 30, 2026.
Additional information and applications are available through GraceKennedy’s website. Prospective applicants can also contact the GraceKennedy Foundation at gkfoundation@gkco.com.
