Located in Vancouver, one of the world’s most livable and intellectually vibrant cities, the University of British Columbia (UBC) is a globally recognized institution known for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and academic excellence. With a strong international presence and a dedication to research-driven learning, UBC consistently ranks among the top 40 universities in the world.
UBC provides an exceptional environment for doctoral candidates, offering advanced research opportunities, mentorship from globally respected faculty, and access to state-of-the-art facilities. As part of its mission to foster academic achievement across all disciplines, UBC offers a range of competitive funding opportunities, including the prestigious Affiliated Fellowships Doctoral Program, designed to support the university’s most promising doctoral students.
Scholarship Description
- Host University: University of British Columbia;
- Host Country: Canada ;
- Study Level: PhD Level ;
- Scholarship Type: Partial Funding ;
- Scholarship Worth: 40,000$;
- Eligible Countries: International students;
- Subjects Available: All subjects ;
- Application Deadline: September 9th, 2025.
The Affiliated Fellowships Doctoral Program 2025 is one of UBC’s premier graduate funding initiatives. Open to both Canadian and international students, the program provides financial support to full-time PhD students across all faculties and disciplines at UBC Vancouver.
Approximately 50 fellowships are awarded each year, making this one of the most inclusive and competitive doctoral funding schemes in Canada. The fellowships are awarded based on academic merit, research potential, and alignment with UBC’s academic mission. Importantly, no separate application is required for these fellowships—students who apply to the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS-D) competition will automatically be considered.
Scholarship Benefits
The Affiliated Fellowships Doctoral Program offers a flexible funding range designed to support students at various stages of their research. Benefits include:
- Award Amount: From $175 up to $40,000, with most awards averaging approximately $16,000.
- Supplementary Funding: Recipients may be considered for the Killam Doctoral Scholarships, one of UBC’s most prestigious awards, which serves as a top-up for highly ranked applicants who meet additional eligibility requirements.
- Additional Funding Flexibility: Recipients may hold this award concurrently with other forms of support, such as:
- Graduate Student Initiative (GSI) funding
- Research or Teaching Assistantships (RA/TA)
- Donor-funded departmental awards
The fellowships are awarded as a one-time payment or distributed across the academic year, depending on the nature of the award.
Eligibility Requirements
The Affiliated Fellowships Doctoral Program maintains clear and inclusive eligibility standards. Applicants must:
- Be planning to pursue full-time doctoral research at UBC in the 2026/2027 academic year.
- Be applying through the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS-D) competition.
- Meet all eligibility criteria of the CGS-D program.
- Demonstrate strong academic excellence and research potential.
- Have limited or no significant external funding (generally less than $16,000 in total funding preferred).
- Students holding the Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) may still be considered, although the affiliated award may serve as a partial replacement of their 4YF support.
Eligible Disciplines and Fields of Study
All doctoral disciplines are eligible under this program. UBC welcomes applications from students across a wide range of academic areas, including but not limited to:
- Science and Engineering
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- Business, Law, and Public Policy
- Environmental Studies and Oceanography
- Education, Planning, and Sociology
Examples of Past Award Recipients
UBC takes pride in the academic diversity and excellence of its fellowship recipients. Past fellows have conducted cutting-edge research in areas such as:
- Neuroscience: Studies on ADHD and executive function
- Law: Artificial intelligence in anti-corruption governance
- Oceanography: Investigations into the carbon cycle in the Southern Ocean
- Sociology: Cultural interpretations of genocide
- Urban Planning: Post-COVID urban recovery strategies in Vancouver
These examples highlight the breadth and interdisciplinary strength of the doctoral community supported by the Affiliated Fellowships Program.
Application Process
There is no separate application required to be considered for the Affiliated Fellowships. All students who apply to the CGS-D competition will automatically be entered into the pool for affiliated fellowships. However, applicants must follow a specific procedure to be considered for criteria-based affiliated awards:
- Apply to CGS-D
- Complete and submit a full application for the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS-D) competition by September 9, 2025, at 12:00 PM PT.
- Indicate Award Preferences
- Review UBC’s list of criteria-based affiliated awards.
- Indicate the award numbers for the fellowships you are eligible for and interested in.
- Submit Checklist
- Complete and submit the Criteria-Based Affiliated Awards Checklist to your UBC graduate program by the internal deadline
- Graduate Program Nomination
- Each graduate program at UBC will review applications, rank candidates, and nominate top applicants to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
- Final nominations must be submitted by October 7, 2025, at 4:00 PM PT.
- Adjudication Process
- The affiliated awards are adjudicated through the broader CGS-D competition review process.
The Affiliated Fellowships Doctoral Program at the University of British Columbia represents one of the most prestigious and comprehensive funding opportunities available to doctoral students in Canada. With the potential to receive up to $40,000 in support, along with consideration for the elite Killam Doctoral Scholarships, this program is an invaluable resource for both domestic and international students pursuing excellence in research.
More than just financial aid, these fellowships open the door to academic recognition, institutional support, and membership in one of Canada’s most vibrant research communities. For aspiring scholars committed to making meaningful contributions in their fields, the Affiliated Fellowships Doctoral Program is an opportunity not to be missed.
Official website:
For more information, please visit the university’s official website : https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/affiliated-fellowships-doctoral-program
