UBC Public Scholars Award 2026

This award is part of the UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) which intends to build connections, community, and capacity for doctoral students who are interested in explicitly linking their doctoral work to an arena of public benefit and integrating broader and more career-relevant forms of scholarship into their doctoral education process. Awards of up to $10,000 are available to support innovative/collaborative scholarship which the student would otherwise be unable to pursue. Funding can be used for:

• A research allowance (including allowance for professional development or travel relevant to the scholarly work)
• Student stipend, if the student’s current funding source would not allow the alternative project(s)

PSI Scholars in good standing are eligible to apply for a one-time award renewal of up to $10,000. This is a separate application for scholars that can be done during any funding period.  

Each year funding is available for up to approximately 30 new students from all faculties at UBC, and approximately 5 scholars from all faculties at UBCO. Scholars selected for the cohort will be eligible for a renewal funding a second year. There is a dedicated FAQ section below, under the 'Further Information' heading.

• Table of Content
• About University Of British Columbia
• UBC PhD Scholarship
• Aim and Benefits of UBC PhD Scholarship
• Requirements for UBC PhD Scholarship Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for UBC PhD Scholarship
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

UBC PhD Scholarship

Aim and Benefits of UBC PhD Scholarship

• A research allowance (including allowance for professional development or travel relevant to the scholarly work)
• Student stipend, if the student’s current funding source would not allow the alternative project(s)

PSI Scholars in good standing are eligible to apply for a one-time award renewal of up to $10,000.

Requirements for UBC PhD Scholarship Qualification

• UBC Vancouver doctoral students (PhD, EdD, DMA, including part time PhD students) in years 1-5 and; UBC Okanagan doctoral students in years 1-5
  • Applicants must have completed no more than 48 months of doctoral study as of 31 August 2025
  • Applicants must be registered in a UBC doctoral program as of 1 September 2025
  • Applicants in their 6th year (48 to 60 months of doctoral study) will be accepted only in exceptional circumstances; these applicants should receive approval from the PSI before submitting their applications.

Requirements for all funded students:

• Submission of a report at the end of their first (and if applicable, second) year of funding
• Attendance at and engagement with PSI events and the network of scholars
• Presentation of their work at a Network event PhDs Go Public. 

All students, faculty, and collaborators will be asked to complete a questionnaire at the end of their funding/involvement. Student dissertations and student completion and career outcomes will also be reviewed as part of the assessment of this initiative.

Interview date, Process and Venue for UBC PhD Scholarship

• Student’s past accomplishments and future promise. Breadth of interest and accomplishment will be important, as well as an indication of the student’s fit with the proposed project.
• Project’s relationship to PSI goals, which is to encourage and enable a broadened conception of doctoral education, such that:
  • Students' work extends beyond the academia and beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries;
  • Students gain experience in the environments and types of scholarship they may productively engage in post-graduation;
  • Students’ work is evaluated as part of the degree, ensuring it is of the highest quality, and signaling that the university considers these diverse forms of scholarship worthy of recognition;
  • Students gain enhanced career opportunities and they foster positive public perception of the value of the doctorate;
  • Students can contribute to the public good in diverse ways through rigorous scholarship;
• Quality of proposed scholarship. The following factors will be taken into account:
  • The work requires a high level of expertise in a discipline(s) and/or methodology;
  • The goals are clearly defined, realistic, and identify important questions;
  • Adequate preparation for and understanding of the subject is indicated;
  • Appropriate methods are proposed to achieve the goals;
  • Plans to document and disseminate the work are appropriate and effective;
  • The work has significance and is likely to contribute positively to the public good;
• Need for alternative funding sources
• Consideration will also be given to breadth of the initiative across disciplines

Check also:
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship 2027
Global Korea Scholarship 2027

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more information, kindly visit UBC scholarship webpage.