Four Year Doctoral Fellowship – Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

🌟 About the Scholarship

Opens
ClosesDecember 2026

The Four-Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) is a prestigious funding program offered by the University of British Columbia. The fellowship provides funding for up to four years of doctoral study. It offers a minimum annual stipend of CAD $24,000 along with full tuition coverage. Consequently, students can manage their financial needs effectively. The funding also serves as a base level of support. Students may supplement it with additional scholarships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships. Thus, the program creates a stable financial foundation for doctoral studies.

🎓 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 Four Year Doctoral Fellowship 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 (2)

Result Date

Program Start

Tuition Fee

Covered

Living Allowance

Yes

CAD $24,000/year

Travel Allowance

Research Grant

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 AmountCAD $24,000/year
DeadlineDecember 2026
LevelDoctoral, PhD
InstitutionUniversity of British Columbia
CountryCanada
ModeOnline
TypeFully funded

Apply Now

The Four-Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) is a prestigious funding program offered by the University of British Columbia. It supports outstanding doctoral students throughout their PhD studies. Moreover, the program provides stable and multi-year financial support. It welcomes both domestic and international students. As a result, it helps scholars focus fully on research and academic development.

Background and Purpose

The 4YF program aims to attract and retain top-tier doctoral students. It promotes academic excellence and high-quality research. In addition, it supports innovation and long-term scholarly development. Graduate programs at UBC nominate their strongest candidates for this fellowship. Therefore, the program ensures that only highly capable students receive funding.

Four-Year Doctoral Fellowship Benefits

The fellowship provides funding for up to four years of doctoral study. It offers a minimum annual stipend of CAD $24,000 along with full tuition coverage. Consequently, students can manage their financial needs effectively. The funding also serves as a base level of support. Students may supplement it with additional scholarships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships. Thus, the program creates a stable financial foundation for doctoral studies.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must apply for a PhD program at the University of British Columbia. They should demonstrate strong academic performance and research potential. Moreover, the fellowship is open to both domestic and international students. It is typically awarded to newly admitted doctoral students. However, continuing students may also qualify in some cases. Therefore, eligibility depends on both academic merit and program nomination.

Four-Year Doctoral Fellowship Application Process

Students do not need to submit a separate application for the 4YF. Instead, they receive automatic consideration when they apply for admission to an eligible PhD program. Graduate programs review applications and nominate top candidates. After that, the university finalizes selections based on merit. As a result, the process remains competitive and merit-based.

Opportunities for Scholars

The 4YF program offers significant opportunities for academic and professional growth. Scholars gain the freedom to focus on research and innovation. Moreover, they work in a globally recognized research environment. These experiences enhance their academic profiles and career prospects. In the long term, graduates contribute to research advancement, academia, and global knowledge development.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is eligible?

Both domestic and international students enrolled in full-time PhD, DMA, or MDPhD programs at UBC can be considered.

Is a separate application required?

No, students are automatically considered when they apply for admission to a UBC doctoral program.

Do 4YF students need to apply for other scholarships?

Yes, eligible students are required to apply for external funding (e.g., Tri-Agency awards) to maintain eligibility.