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University of British Columbia (UBC) Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) Award 2025/2026 in Canada | How to Apply

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by Peace Maduka
UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) Award 2025/2026 - ScholarWaka
Written by Peace Maduka

Applications are now open for the University of British Columbia (UBC) Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) Award 2025/2026 cohort. This exciting opportunity supports doctoral students committed to connecting their research to broader public benefits and real-world impact. Selected scholars can receive up to $20,000 in funding to pursue innovative and collaborative scholarship. Applications close on Friday, May 16, 2025.

The UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) offers doctoral students a unique platform to connect their academic work with public needs. It provides financial support to students who wish to engage in scholarly work that has a meaningful impact beyond the university. The initiative welcomes applicants from all faculties at UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan, including a special Health Equity Stream for projects addressing health issues and equity.

If you are passionate about using your research to make a meaningful difference beyond academia, this initiative could be a great fit for you. Read the full details carefully to understand the eligibility criteria, benefits, and application process, and take the next step toward becoming a UBC Public Scholar.

UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) Award 2025/2026 Summary

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UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) Award 2025/2026 Details

The UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) Award 2025/2026 is designed to help doctoral students integrate broader, career-relevant forms of scholarship into their academic journey. Students can receive up to $10,000 twice (totaling up to $20,000 per student) to support research, professional development, travel, or stipend needs that would otherwise not be funded.

Each year, funding is awarded to approximately 30 new scholars from UBC Vancouver and around 5 scholars from UBC Okanagan. Scholars selected will also be eligible to apply for a second year of renewal funding.

The 2025/2026 cohort includes a continued focus on health equity through the Health Equity Stream (HES). Supported in partnership with UBC Health, the HES aims to fund students whose work addresses local, national, or global health issues and seeks to impact health equity. Applicants interested in the HES should elaborate on their interest and work in the public scholarship section of the application.

Applications for the Health Equity Stream will be submitted using the same process as general PSI applications.

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UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) Award 2025/2026 Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) Award 2025/2026:

  • Applicants must be UBC Vancouver doctoral students (PhD, EdD, DMA) or UBC Okanagan doctoral students.
  • Students must be in years 1–5 of their doctoral studies.
  • Students must have completed no more than 48 months of doctoral study as of August 31, 2025.
  • Students must be registered in a UBC doctoral program as of September 1, 2025.
  • Students in their 6th year (48 to 60 months of study) may be considered only under exceptional circumstances and must receive approval from the PSI team before applying.
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Additional requirements for funded students include:

  • Submission of a report at the end of their first (and second, if applicable) year of funding.
  • Active participation in PSI events and engagement with the network of scholars.
  • Presentation of their research at the PhDs Go Public event.

Check the full funding requirements to know your eligibility. 

Don’t meet the requirements? Check out our other Postgraduate scholarships

Scholarship Benefits

Selected scholars will receive:

  • Up to $10,000 per year for two years, totaling up to $20,000.
  • Funding support for:
    • Research allowances (including travel and professional development).
    • Student stipends if the current funding does not cover alternative projects.
  • Access to a vibrant community of scholars focused on public scholarship.
  • Opportunity to apply for the Health Equity Stream for dedicated health equity-focused funding.

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UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) Award 2025/2026 Required Documents

Applicants must prepare and submit:

All documents must be uploaded in PDF format.

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How to Apply for the UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) Award 2025/2026 (Step-by-Step)

Follow these steps carefully:

  1. Download the following two files:
  2. Rename and save the application form as: LastName_FirstName_PSI.
  3. Complete the application form, following the guidelines carefully.
    • Each section (“Outline of Proposed Scholarly Work” and “Relationship of Proposal to PSI Goals”) is capped at 4000 characters and 1 page.
  4. Upload the completed application form and Canadian Common CV as one PDF file to the designated Qualtrics form.
    • The Qualtrics form will take approximately 5 minutes to complete once all documents are ready.
  5. Share the supervisor letter of support link with your supervisor.
    • The supervisor (and collaborators, if applicable) will upload their letters directly via the separate Qualtrics link.
  6. Complete your application once all documents and letters have been submitted.
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A multidisciplinary adjudication committee from the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will review all eligible applications and select the funding recipients.

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Deadline

  • Application Deadline: Friday, May 16, 2025
  • Results Announcement: Late July or Early August 2025

Further Information

All Public Scholars are expected to participate actively in PSI programming as much as they are able. Renewal funding is often dependent on the scholar’s engagement with their cohort and PSI activities. This is especially important for scholars selected under the Health Equity Stream (HES), as the HES programming is tailored to meet the specific needs of this limited group. Active participation is crucial to the success of the Health Equity Stream.

If you have any questions about the Public Scholars Initiative or the application process, you can contact:

  • Dr. Serbulent Turan, Manager of Public Scholarship Initiatives: [email protected]
  • Dr. Jenny Phelps, Assistant Vice-Provost of Graduate and Postdoctoral Strategic Academic Initiatives: [email protected]

You can also find more information through the following resources:

READ FULL DETAILS ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP AND APPLY

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Peace Maduka

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