The University of British Columbia (UBC) is currently accepting applications for the 2025/26 cohort of the Public Scholars Initiative (PSI). This program supports UBC doctoral students whose research extends beyond traditional academic boundaries to benefit the public good. Participants may receive up to $20,000 in funding over two years ($10,000 per year) to support innovative and collaborative scholarship.

Summary of UBC Public Scholars Award 2025

• Host: University of British Columbia (UBC),
• Category: Doctoral Scholarship / Fellowship
• Eligible Countries: All countries (International and Domestic students)
• Reward: Up to $20,000 in funding over two years ($10,000 per year)
• Deadline: May 16, 2025

About 2025 UBC Public Scholars Award

The 2025 UBC Public Scholars Award is an initiative by the University of British Columbia (UBC) designed to support doctoral students whose research extends beyond traditional academic boundaries to make a meaningful impact on society.

The award is part of the Public Scholars Initiative (PSI), which aims to foster innovative, collaborative, and publicly engaged research.

This program is open to doctoral students from UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan who are in years 1-5 of their doctoral studies (with exceptions for students in their 6th year under special circumstances).

Successful applicants may receive up to $20,000 in funding over two years to support their scholarly work, professional development, and engagement with the broader community.

The PSI Fellowship encourages projects that contribute to social good, connect academia with public needs, and involve collaboration with community organizations, industry partners, or other stakeholders.

By participating in this program, scholars are empowered to develop research that aligns with UBC's commitment to public impact while advancing their own academic and professional growth.

UBC Public Scholars Award 2025 Benefits

• The UBC Public Scholars Award awards $10,000 twice, for a total of $20,000 per student to support innovative/collaborative scholarship which the student would otherwise be unable to pursue.
• Funding can be used for:

• A research allowance (including allowance for professional development or travel relevant to the scholarly work)
• Student stipend, if the student’s current funding source would not allow the alternative project(s)

2025 UBC Public Scholars Award Eligibility

• UBC Vancouver doctoral students (PhD, EdD, and DMA) in years 1-5 and; UBC Okanagan doctoral students in years 1-5
• Applicants must have completed no more than 48 months of doctoral study as of 31 August 2025
• Applicants must be registered in a UBC doctoral program as of 1 September 2025
• Applicants in their 6th year (48 to 60 months of doctoral study) will be accepted only in the most exceptional circumstances.
• All students, faculty, and collaborators will be asked to complete a questionnaire at the end of their funding/involvement.
• Student dissertations and student completion and career outcomes will also be reviewed as part of the assessment of this pilot initiative.

Required Documents
To apply, candidates must be ready to submit the following documents;

• PSI Fellowship Application form
• Canadian Common CV as one pdf file
• Mandatory supervisor letter of support and the optional letter(s) of support from collaborators

How to Apply for UBC Public Scholars Award 2025

To apply for the UBC Public Scholars Award 2025, interested and qualified applicants should follow the procedure below;

• Click the button below to navigate the application webpage
• Download the scholarship application forms (PSI Form and Application instructions)
• Once the form is downloaded you can edit and save the form by renaming it. Name your application: LastName_FirstName_PSI
• Upload the completed PSI Fellowship Application 2025-2026 form, your Canadian Common CV, and other required documents as one pdf file to this page.

Click Here To Apply