The University of British Columbia has opened applications for the UBC Public Scholars Award 2026 for qualified candidates interested in pursuing doctoral studies in Canada.
The UBC Public Scholars Award provides a total funding of $20,000 per student, aimed at supporting research activities and living expenses for doctoral students whose work contributes to the public good and societal impact.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Canada
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Reward: $20,000 ($10,000 per year)
- Deadline: May 22, 2026
- No IELTS Required
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Scholarship Details
The UBC Public Scholars Award is part of the Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) created by the University of British Columbia to encourage doctoral students to connect their academic research with real-world societal needs and public benefit. The initiative focuses on building a community of scholars who are committed to applying their doctoral work in ways that create meaningful impact beyond the university environment.
Through this program, doctoral students are supported in pursuing innovative and collaborative research projects that may not normally be possible through their regular academic funding. The initiative promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and encourages students to engage with partners such as community organizations, policy institutions, and industry stakeholders.
For the 2026 cycle, funding will be provided to approximately 30 to 35 new scholars. Selected students may also be eligible for renewal for a second year, depending on the availability of additional funding under the Public Scholars Initiative.
Participants in the program will also take part in information sessions, community engagement activities, and collaborative opportunities designed to strengthen their research impact and professional development.
Eligibility Criteria
To be qualified for the UBC Public Scholars Award, applicants must:
- Be:
- UBC Vancouver doctoral students (PhD, EdD, or DMA) in years 1–5, or
- UBC Okanagan doctoral students in years 1–5
- Have completed no more than 48 months of doctoral study as of August 31, 2026
- Be registered in a UBC doctoral program by September 1, 2026
- Note that:
- Applicants in their 6th year (48–60 months of doctoral study) may only be considered in exceptional circumstances
- Be willing to participate in program assessment activities, including:
- Completing an evaluation questionnaire
- Allowing review of student dissertations and career outcomes as part of the initiative’s assessment
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants of the UBC Public Scholars Award will receive:
- $10,000 per year for two years
- Total funding of $20,000
The funding may be used for:
- Research allowances, including:
- Professional development activities
- Travel related to the research project
- Student stipends, particularly if the student’s existing funding does not support the alternative research project
Required Documents
To apply for this scholarship, applicants must prepare to submit:
- PSI Fellowship Application Form
- Canadian Common CV (submitted as one PDF file)
- Mandatory supervisor letter of support
- Optional letter(s) of support from collaborators
How to Apply
To apply for the UBC Public Scholars Award 2026:
- Visit the scholarship application webpage
- Download the application forms (PSI Form and Application Instructions)
- Edit and save the form after downloading by renaming the file as:
- LastName_FirstName_PSI
- Upload the following documents as one PDF file:
- Completed PSI Fellowship Application Form (2026–2027)
- Canadian Common CV
- All other required supporting documents
Ensure that all required materials are properly compiled and submitted before the application deadline.
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