Are you a high-achieving doctoral student looking for a graduate scholarships 2025 in Canada? The University of British Columbia (UBC) Affiliated Fellowships 2025 offer an incredible opportunity for PhD candidates both Canadian and international to receive generous financial support for their studies at one of the world’s top-ranked universities.
Each year, UBC awards approximately 50 Affiliated Fellowships to exceptional graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence and strong research potential. If you're planning to pursue or continue full-time doctoral studies at UBC starting September 2026, these prestigious fellowships could be the key to funding your academic journey.
Overview of the UBC Affiliated Fellowships 2025:
The UBC Affiliated Fellowships Doctoral Program is an internal funding competition administered by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The awards are made annually to deserving full-time graduate students enrolled in or applying to a UBC doctoral program.
The fellowships are merit-based and are open to candidates in all fields of study. Many of the awards are unrestricted, while others have specific eligibility criteria such as a research focus, donor affiliation, or field of study.
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Fellowship Value:
Award values range from $175 to $40,000, with most falling in the $16,000 range. Some fellowships may even act as top-up awards in combination with other funding (such as the Killam Doctoral Scholarships or UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship).
Who Can Apply for the UBC Affiliated Fellowships?
The 2025 Affiliated Fellowships competition is open to:
● Current or incoming full-time doctoral students at UBC (PhD, DMA, EdD, etc.).
● Students of any nationality Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students.
● Candidates who will be registered in a doctoral program at UBC in September 2026.
● Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements of the Canada Graduate Scholarships Doctoral (CGS-D) program, which includes high academic standing, strong research potential, and demonstrated leadership.
● You don’t need to hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status to apply. This makes it an excellent opportunity for international PhD students seeking funding in Canada.
Eligibility Criteria for UBC Affiliated Fellowships 2025:
To be considered for the Affiliated Fellowships, applicants must:
● Be eligible for the CGS-D competition which serves as a benchmark for evaluation.
● Be registered or planning to register full-time in a UBC doctoral program in September 2026.
● Not already hold significant external scholarship funding.
Note: If a student receives a UBC Affiliated Fellowship and later secures a higher-value external scholarship, the Affiliated Fellowship offer may be rescinded, unless an exception applies.
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Exceptions and Special Cases:
While award preference is given to students without other major funding, the following exceptions apply:
● Students with Graduate Support Initiative (GSI) funding or department-nominated donor-funded awards may hold these alongside Affiliated Fellowships.
● Research Assistant (RA) or Teaching Assistant (TA) positions can be held concurrently with affiliated awards.
● Students with 4YF (Four Year Fellowships) are eligible to be considered. If selected, a portion or all of their 4YF may be replaced by Affiliated Fellowship funds.
● Some niche or under-applied Affiliated Fellowships may be awarded to students who already hold significant funding, if the pool of eligible applicants is small.
● The Killam Doctoral Scholarships UBC’s most prestigious doctoral awards are granted through the Affiliated Fellowships competition. Top applicants may receive the Killam as a supplementary top-up to their current funding.
Why Apply for the UBC Affiliated Fellowships?
Here are five compelling reasons to apply for the UBC Affiliated Fellowships 2025:
1. Generous Funding: Awards range from $175 to $40,000, helping to cover tuition, living expenses, and research costs.
2. Open to All Nationalities: Unlike some funding limited to Canadian citizens, these fellowships welcome international students.
3. Automatic Consideration with CGS-D: No need for a separate application stream.
4. Based on Academic Merit: Evaluation focuses on research potential, excellence, and leadership.
5. Top-Up Opportunities: Some fellowships may supplement other awards like the Killam Doctoral Scholarship or UBC 4YF.
Nomination and Selection Process:
1. Once your application is submitted, your graduate program will:
● Review and rank all applicants.
● Forward top nominations to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at UBC.
2. Nomination Deadline (Graduate Program Submission):
The nomination deadline is October 7, 2025.
3. Fellowship recipients are selected based on the CGS-D criteria, including:
● Academic excellence.
● Research potential.
● Leadership and engagement.
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How to Apply for the UBC Affiliated Fellowships 2025?
Good news is that there is no separate application required for the Affiliated Fellowships. If you're applying for the Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS-D) competition through UBC, you are automatically considered for the Affiliated Fellowships competition. However, to be considered for specific criteria-based fellowships, applicants must take the following steps:
Step 1: Check Criteria-Based Eligibility:
● Review the list of criteria-based Affiliated Fellowships available on UBC's graduate funding website.
● Determine which awards you’re eligible for based on criteria like research topic, background, or donor requirements.
Step 2: Complete the Award Checklist:
● Fill out the award number checklist for all criteria-based fellowships you qualify for.
● Submit the completed checklist to your graduate program by the internal deadline.
Step 3: Submit Full Application Materials:
● Follow the CGS-D application guidelines through UBC.
● Ensure all supporting documents (transcripts, references, research proposal, etc.) are submitted on time.
● Application Deadline is September 9, 2025.
Conclusion:
The University of British Columbia Affiliated Fellowships 2025 provide a golden opportunity for high-achieving PhD students regardless of citizenship to receive substantial financial support while pursuing groundbreaking research in Vancouver, Canada. Whether you're applying to UBC or are already enrolled, this fellowship could be the stepping stone you need for academic and professional success. Don’t miss the September 9, 2025, deadline to submit your application and award checklist to your program. So to apply and know more visit University of British Columbia Affiliated Fellowships 2025 official link here.