Program Description:

Title: UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) 2025/26 Cohort

Application Deadline: May 16, 2025

Hey!! Be the first to know about the latest scholarships, job vacancies, investments, and tech updates. 👉 Click here

UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) 2025/26 Cohort Overview

The UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) is designed to support doctoral students in integrating public engagement and real-world impact into their academic work. This initiative fosters connections, community, and broader career opportunities by encouraging students to link their doctoral research with public benefit.

Selected scholars can receive up to $20,000 ($10,000 per year for two years) to fund innovative or collaborative research projects that might not otherwise receive support.

Funding Usage

✅ Research allowance (including professional development or travel)
✅ Student stipend (if their current funding source does not support alternative projects)

A total of 30 new students from UBC Vancouver and 5 students from UBC Okanagan will be selected for the 2025/26 cohort, with renewal opportunities for a second year.

💡 Special ‘Health Equity Stream’: A dedicated funding source for projects addressing health issues and health equity at local, national, and global levels.

UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) 2025/26 Cohort Eligibility

✔ UBC Vancouver doctoral students (PhD, EdD, DMA), including part-time PhD students (years 1-5)
✔ UBC Okanagan doctoral students (years 1-5)
✔ Must have completed no more than 48 months of doctoral study as of August 31, 2025
✔ Must be registered in a UBC doctoral program as of September 1, 2025
✔ Students in their 6th year (48-60 months) may apply in exceptional cases (pre-approval required)

UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) 2025/26 Cohort Scholarship Requirements

📌 Submit an end-of-year report (for first & second-year funding)
📌 Engage in PSI events & network activities
📌 Present research at PhDs Go Public network event
📌 Complete an assessment questionnaire at the end of the funding period

---

Evaluation Criteria

✅ Student’s Past Accomplishments & Future Potential
✅ Alignment with PSI Goals:

• Extends beyond academia and traditional disciplinary boundaries

• Prepares students for diverse career paths post-graduation

• Ensures high-quality, publicly impactful scholarship

• Enhances public perception of doctoral research

• Contributes positively to society
  ✅ Quality of Proposed Research:

• High-level expertise in discipline/methodology

• Clearly defined, realistic goals

• Appropriate research methods

• Effective documentation & dissemination plan

• Public benefit & impact potential
  ✅ Need for Alternative Funding

Important Dates

📅 Application Deadline: Friday, May 16, 2025
📅 Results Announcement: Late July/Early August 2025
📅 First General Information Session: Monday, March 24, 2025 (12:00 pm – 1:00 pm)

Application Process

📌 Application files & links will be available on March 17, 2025

Step 1: Download & complete the PSI Fellowship Application 2025-2026 and PSI Fellowship Application Instructions.
Step 2: Rename and save your file as LastName_FirstName_PSI.
Step 3: Complete the Application Form (each section is capped at 4000 characters/1 page).
Step 4: Upload the completed PSI Application + Canadian Common CV as one PDF file to the Qualtrics form.
Step 5: Supervisor & collaborator letters of support should be uploaded separately via the designated Qualtrics link.
Step 6: Submit your application.

🔗 Health Equity Stream applicants should indicate their interest in their proposal and application form.

Share with someone