The University of British Columbia (UBC) Public Scholars Award offers up to $20,000 to support doctoral students in integrating public scholarship into their research. Apply Below:
Application Deadline
- 31st May 2027
Tell Me About The Award
The UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) supports doctoral students who want to link their research to areas of public benefit and broaden the scope of doctoral education beyond traditional academia. Awards of up to $10,000 help students pursue innovative, collaborative scholarship that would otherwise be difficult to fund.
Which Fields are Eligible
Open to doctoral students in all faculties at UBC, including:
- PhD
- EdD
- DMA
- Part‑time PhD students are also eligible.
Type
- Doctoral Fellowship | Public Engagement | UBC Vancouver & Okanagan
Who Can Apply
Applicants must:
- Be UBC Vancouver or Okanagan doctoral students in years 1–5 (exceptional cases accepted in year 6).
- Have completed no more than 48 months of doctoral study by 31 August 2026.
- Be registered in a UBC doctoral program as of 1 September 2026.
- Commit to PSI requirements:
- Submit annual reports.
- Attend PSI events and engage with the scholar network.
- Present work at PhDs Go Public events.
How Are Scholars Selected
Evaluation criteria include:
- Past accomplishments and future promise.
- Fit of the project with PSI goals (public benefit, interdisciplinary reach, career relevance).
- Quality of proposed scholarship (clarity, feasibility, significance).
- Need for alternative funding sources.
- Breadth across disciplines.
Which Countries are Eligible
- Global – Canadian, permanent resident, and international students.
Where Will the Award Be Taken
- University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver and Okanagan campuses.
How Many Scholars
- ~30 new students at UBC Vancouver.
- ~5 new students at UBC Okanagan.
- Renewal funding available for a second year.
What is the Benefit of the Award
- Up to $10,000 for:
- Research allowance (including professional development or travel).
- Student stipend (if current funding does not allow alternative projects).
- Renewal funding of up to $10,000 available once.
How Long Will the Award Last
- One year, with possibility of renewal for a second year.
Required Documents
- PSI Fellowship Application form.
- Updated Tri‑agency CV (or Vanier‑Banting CV if already prepared).
- Supervisor letter of support (mandatory).
- Optional collaborator letters of support.
How to Apply
- Download the PSI Fellowship Application form and instructions (available from 23 March 2027).
- Complete the form (sections capped at 4000 characters / 1 page each).
- Prepare your CV in the required format.
- Upload application + CV as a single PDF via the Qualtrics submission page by May 2027 deadline.
- Ensure supervisor and collaborators submit letters of support via the Qualtrics link.
🌐 Visit the application webpage for details
