UBC Public Scholars Award
ForecastedInternal — University of British Columbia - Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies only
UBC Public Scholars Award supports UBC doctoral students in pursuing public-benefit research and creative scholarship within their dissertations, broadening doctoral education and career opportunities.
Funder: University of British Columbia – Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10,000, with a one-time renewal of up to $10,000
Summary: Supports UBC doctoral students integrating public-benefit scholarship into their doctoral research and dissertation work.
Key Information: A formal proposal and supervisor support are required, including for participation without funding.
Description
The UBC Public Scholars Award is administered by Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies as part of the Public Scholars Initiative (PSI). It supports doctoral students explicitly linking their work to public benefit through innovative, collaborative, action-oriented, or creative scholarship they would otherwise be unable to pursue. PSI seeks to build connections, community, and capacity while integrating broader, career-relevant forms of scholarship into doctoral education.
The initiative encourages work beyond academia and traditional disciplinary boundaries, including community partnerships, policy research, creative projects, teaching materials, and knowledge mobilization. Its goals include recognizing diverse scholarly products within dissertations, giving students experience in environments they may enter after graduation, expanding career opportunities, and demonstrating the public value of doctoral scholarship. Collaboration is highly valued but is not essential to every project.
