Applications are now open for the University of British Columbia (UBC) Public Scholars Award 2026/27 for qualified doctoral students interested in conducting research with public impact and community engagement.
The UBC Public Scholars Award is a funded opportunity designed to support doctoral students whose research contributes to real-world solutions in areas such as sustainability, health, education, environment, public policy, and social innovation.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: Canada
- Host University: University of British Columbia
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Eligible Regions: Canadian Citizens | Permanent Residents | International Students
- Reward: Up to CAD $10,000
- Degree Level: Doctoral
- Deadline: May 22, 2026
Scholarship Details
The UBC Public Scholars Award is part of the Public Scholars Initiative (PSI), a programme created to encourage doctoral students to connect academic research with public benefit and community impact. The initiative supports scholars from diverse disciplines who are interested in collaborative and innovative projects that go beyond traditional academic boundaries.
Through this programme, students are encouraged to engage with communities, organizations, and public institutions while contributing meaningful solutions to societal challenges. The award supports projects related to sustainability, healthcare, education, environmental studies, public policy, social innovation, and other fields that serve the public good.
Each year, approximately 30 students from UBC Vancouver and about 5 students from UBC Okanagan are selected for the programme. Scholars also gain valuable opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, cultural exchange, and community engagement while studying in Canada.
The Vancouver campus of the University of British Columbia is located in one of Canada’s most vibrant and multicultural cities, known for its natural beauty, beaches, mountains, and high quality of life.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the UBC Public Scholars Award, applicants must:
- Be enrolled in a UBC doctoral programme such as:
- PhD
- EdD
- DMA
- Include part-time PhD students
- Be studying at either UBC Vancouver or UBC Okanagan campuses
- Have completed no more than 48 months of doctoral study as of August 31, 2026
- Be registered in a UBC doctoral programme by September 1, 2026
Applicants in their sixth year of doctoral study (48–60 months) may only be considered under exceptional circumstances and must obtain PSI approval before applying.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants for the UBC Public Scholars Award will receive:
- Funding of up to CAD $10,000
- Opportunity to apply for a one-time renewal award of up to CAD $10,000 in a second year
- Financial support for:
- Research expenses
- Professional development
- Travel related to scholarly activities
- Student stipends where applicable
The funding may also support alternative scholarly or community-based projects not covered by existing funding sources.
Required Documents
To apply for this scholarship, applicants must prepare to submit:
- Completed PSI Fellowship Application Form
- Tri-agency CV or existing Vanier-Banting CV
- Supervisor Letter of Support
- Optional Collaborator Support Letters
- Supporting application documents required by the PSI programme
All recommendation or support letters must contain the referee’s signature, either electronic or digital.
How to Apply
To apply for the UBC Public Scholars Award, interested and qualified applicants should:
- Visit the PSI website during the application period
- Download and complete the PSI Fellowship Application Form
- Upload all required application documents online
- Submit a Tri-agency CV or existing Vanier-Banting CV
- Ensure the supervisor submits the mandatory support letter through the official PSI application portal
- Submit optional collaborator support letters if available
The application window for the scholarship runs from March 23, 2026 to May 22, 2026.
To begin the scholarship application process, click HERE
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