UBC Public Scholars Award – Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

🌟 About the Scholarship

Opens23 Mar, 2026
Closes22 May, 2026

The UBC Public Scholars Award is a doctoral funding opportunity offered by the University of British Columbia in Canada as part of the Public Scholars Initiative (PSI). The UBC Public Scholars Award provides funding of up to $10,000 to selected doctoral students. Students can use this funding for research projects, professional development activities, research-related travel, or stipend support. In addition, the funding helps students pursue innovative or collaborative research activities that they may not be able to complete through regular doctoral funding. Students who receive the award also become part of the Public Scholars Initiative network. Moreover, students may apply for a one-time renewal of up to $10,000 for a second year. Therefore, the award provides both financial support and professional development opportunities.

🎓 Scholarship Snapshot

Here’s everything you need at a glance: the documents to prepare, what the award covers, and key dates so you don’t miss a beat. From transcripts and essays to tuition and living support, this gives you a clear picture of the UBC Public Scholars Award before you apply.

Eligible Countries

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Korea, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Seirra Leone, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Korea, South Sudan, South-Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tokelau, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Study Fields

All fields

GPA / Grade

GPA 3.7-4.0

Languages

CAEL 70, IELTS 6.5, PTE A 65, TOEFL iBT 90

Tests

Study Levels

Doctoral, PhD

Total Scholarships

Transcripts

Yes

Degrees

Yes

Essay

Yes

Passport ID

Recommendation Letters

Yes (3)

Result Date

Program Start

September 2026

Tuition Fee

Living Allowance

Travel Allowance

Research Grant

Up to $10,000

Health Insurance

Visa Assistance

📞 Contact Information

Call if you want a quick answer, send an email for detailed questions, or follow the university’s social channels to keep an eye on updates and reminders. Use whatever fits your style and timezone.

Scholarship Summary

Award AmountUp to $10,000
Deadline22 May, 2026
LevelDoctoral, PhD
InstitutionUniversity of British Columbia
CountryCanada
ModeOnline
TypePartially funded

Apply Now

The UBC Public Scholars Award is a doctoral funding opportunity offered by the University of British Columbia in Canada as part of the Public Scholars Initiative (PSI). The university designed this award for doctoral students whose research goes beyond traditional academic work and contributes to the public good. The program supports collaborative, interdisciplinary, and community-engaged research projects. Moreover, the award encourages students to connect academic research with real-world impact and societal benefit. Each year, the university selects a limited number of doctoral students from UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan for this competitive award.

Background and Purpose

The University of British Columbia created the Public Scholars Initiative to promote innovative forms of scholarship that connect research with society. The program aims to support doctoral students who work on research projects that benefit communities, organizations, or public institutions. Furthermore, the initiative encourages interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement. The university wants doctoral students to develop research that has practical value and social impact. Therefore, the award supports research activities that may not fit within traditional doctoral funding structures but still provide significant public benefit.

UBC Public Scholars Award Benefits

The UBC Public Scholars Award provides funding of up to $10,000 to selected doctoral students. Students can use this funding for research projects, professional development activities, research-related travel, or stipend support. In addition, the funding helps students pursue innovative or collaborative research activities that they may not be able to complete through regular doctoral funding. Students who receive the award also become part of the Public Scholars Initiative network. Moreover, students may apply for a one-time renewal of up to $10,000 for a second year. Therefore, the award provides both financial support and professional development opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be doctoral students at the University of British Columbia. Their research must extend beyond traditional academic work and demonstrate public impact, interdisciplinary collaboration, or community engagement. Students must also show that the proposed project contributes to society, public policy, community development, or professional practice. In addition, applicants must demonstrate strong academic progress and a clear research plan.

UBC Public Scholars Award Application Process

Students must apply through the Public Scholars Initiative application process at the University of British Columbia. Applicants must submit a project proposal, academic information, and supporting documents. The selection committee evaluates applications based on research impact, innovation, collaboration, and public engagement. The university then selects the most competitive and impactful research projects for funding.

Opportunities for Scholars

Students who receive this award gain opportunities to conduct impactful research and engage with communities and organizations. They also participate in Public Scholars Initiative events, present their work publicly, and submit a final report. Moreover, students gain professional development, networking opportunities, and interdisciplinary research experience. Therefore, the program helps doctoral students connect academic research with public engagement, career development, and community impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible?

Current UBC doctoral students (PhD, EdD, DMA) in years 1–5 at the Vancouver or Okanagan campus may apply.

Is this award renewable?

Yes, PSI Scholars in good standing can apply for a one‑time renewal of up to CAD 10,000 in a subsequent year.

Do recipients have to engage in special activities?

Award holders must attend PSI events, engage with the PSI community, and present their work in public scholarship forums.