2026 UBC Public Scholars Award in Canada: Full Application Guide – No IELTS Needed

The 2026 UBC Public Scholars Award in Canada offers PhD students a chance to fund work that benefits the public. This award provides $20,000 to support doctoral research with real-world impact. It comes from the University of British Columbia’s Public Scholars Initiative (PSI). The program is open to students from all countries. Best of all, no IELTS is needed if you meet other rules.

PSI helps doctoral students connect their studies to public good. It builds networks and skills for projects that matter. This guide walks you through every step to apply. Follow these steps to boost your chances of securing this award by the May 22, 2026 deadline.

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• Scholarship Region (@scholarsregion)
  January 5, 2026

Key Takeaways

• The award gives $20,000 over two years to UBC PhD students for public-impact projects.
• It is open to students from all countries with no IELTS needed if other rules are met.
• Eligibility covers years 1-5 of doctoral study, with applications due by May 22, 2026.
• Submit a combined PDF with the PSI form, CV, and supervisor letter via the online portal.

Step 1: Review the UBC Public Scholars Award Summary

Key facts about the award make it easy to see if it fits you. Here is a quick list:

• Host Country: Canada
• Category: PhD Scholarships, Postgraduate Scholarships
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Reward: $20,000 total ($10,000 per year)
• Deadline: May 22, 2026
• No IELTS Required

This award is part of the UBC Public Scholars Initiative. It supports doctoral students who link their work to public benefit. UBC plans to fund up to 30-35 new students this year.

Step 2: Learn Program Details and Information Sessions

The PSI program fosters links between doctoral work and public needs. It funds bold projects that students could not afford otherwise. Renewal for a second year is possible if new funds arrive. At the end, students, faculty, and partners complete a short survey. UBC also tracks dissertations and career paths to check the program’s success.

Funding covers these key areas:

• Research allowance, including professional development or travel tied to the work
• Student stipend, but only if your current funds do not allow the project

Register for UBC info sessions on the official PSI page. These help answer questions about applications.

Step 3: Check Your Eligibility Requirements

Make sure you qualify before you start. This table compares rules for UBC’s two campuses.

Criterion	UBC Vancouver	UBC Okanagan	Notes
Program	PhD, EdD, DMA	Doctoral programs	Must be in an approved doctoral program.
Years of Study	1-5 as of August 31, 2026	1-5 as of August 31, 2026	Counts from program start.
Months Completed	No more than 48 by Aug 31, 2026	No more than 48 by Aug 31, 2026	Tracks total doctoral study time.
Registration	As of September 1, 2026	As of September 1, 2026	You must be active in your program.
6th Year (48-60 months)	Exceptional cases only	Exceptional cases only	Rare approvals need strong reasons.

All nationalities can apply if enrolled at UBC. Check your status against these points.

Step 4: Understand Duration, Rewards, and Funding Uses

The award gives $10,000 for two years. That totals $20,000 per student. It supports living costs and research for special projects.

Here are the main uses:

• Research allowance: Covers professional growth or travel linked to your scholarly work
• Student stipend: Helps if your regular funds block the project

This funding fills gaps in standard support. It targets PhD scholarships in Canada that drive change.

Step 5: Gather Required Documents

Prepare these in order. Combine them into one PDF file for upload.

1. PSI Fellowship Application form: Download it. Edit and save. Rename as LastName_FirstName_PSI.
2. Canadian Common CV: Save as one PDF file.
3. Supervisor letter of support: Get this from your main advisor.
4. Optional letters from collaborators: Include if they back your project.

Tips for success:

• Start early to get letters.
• Follow form instructions exactly.
• Check the official award page for form samples.

Step 6: Complete the Online Application

Follow these steps to submit.

1. Go to the official application page.
2. Download the PSI form and instructions.
3. Fill out the form. Save it with your name as directed.
4. Put all documents into one PDF.
5. Upload the full package through the portal.

Apply Now: https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/ubc-public-scholars-award

Finish by May 22, 2026. Double-check everything before you hit submit.

The 2026 UBC Public Scholars Award offers PhD students $20,000 to fund projects that help the public, with no IELTS required for all nationalities. Check your eligibility, gather documents like the application form and supervisor letter, and submit by May 22, 2026. Apply now through the official UBC page to boost your research and career.

Frequently Asked Questions