UBC Public Scholars Award in Canada 2026-27
Country: Canada
Category: Doctoral award
Organization: University of British Columbia, Public Scholars Initiative
Funding: Up to CAD $10,000
Deadline: 22 May 2026
Eligibility: UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan doctoral students in PhD, EdD, and DMA programs
The UBC Public Scholars Award in Canada 2026-27 is a doctoral funding opportunity for students whose work connects research with public benefit and real-world impact. It is part of the Public Scholars Initiative at the University of British Columbia and offers support for innovative and collaborative scholarship.
UBC Public Scholars Award in Canada 2026-27 Overview
The UBC Public Scholars Award in Canada 2026-27 supports doctoral students who want to link their academic work to broader public value. The program is designed to build connections, community, and capacity for scholars across disciplines.
Benefits and Funding
✓ Awards of up to CAD $10,000 are available for innovative or collaborative scholarship.
✓ The funding can be used for a research allowance, including professional development or travel related to the scholarly work.
✓ It may also be used as a student stipend if the current funding source does not allow the alternative project or scholarly activities.
✓ PSI Scholars in good standing may apply separately for a one-time renewal award of up to CAD $10,000 for a second year.
UBC Public Scholars Award in Canada 2026-27 Eligibility
• UBC Vancouver doctoral students in PhD, EdD, and DMA programs, including part-time PhD students, can apply if they are in years 1–5.
• UBC Okanagan doctoral students can apply if they are in years 1–5.
• Applicants must have completed no more than 48 months of doctoral study as of 31 August 2026.
• Applicants must be registered in a UBC doctoral program as of 1 September 2026.
• Students in their sixth year, meaning 48 to 60 months of doctoral study, may apply only in exceptional circumstances and must receive PSI approval before submitting an application.
Application Process
The application window opens on 23 March 2026 and remains open until 22 May 2026. Applicants must download the PSI Fellowship Application 2026-2027 and the PSI Fellowship Application Instructions 2026-2027.
• If an applicant already has a Vanier-Banting CV, it can still be uploaded.
• In all other cases, applicants must prepare a new Tri-agency CV.
• The application name must be written as LastName_FirstName_PSI.
• Each section, including “Outline of Proposed Scholarly Work” and “Relationship of Proposal to PSI Goals,” is capped at 4000 characters and 1 page.
• Applicants must upload the completed application form and CV as one PDF file through the official application form page.
Selection Process
Applications are assessed on the student’s past accomplishments and future promise, the project’s relationship to PSI goals, the quality of the proposed scholarship, the need for alternative funding sources, and breadth across disciplines.
The initiative also expects funded students to submit a report at the end of the first year, attend PSI events, engage with the scholar network, and present their work at a “PhDs Go Public” network event.
Deadline
The application deadline for the UBC Public Scholars Award in Canada 2026-27 is 22 May 2026. The application window begins on 23 March 2026.
