Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) Info Session - April 16th

The UBC Public Scholars Initiative (PSI) intends to build connections, community, and capacity for doctoral students who are interested in explicitly linking their doctoral work to an arena of public benefit and integrating broader and more career-relevant forms of scholarship into their doctoral education process. Up to $10,000 twice, for a total of $20,000 per student is available to support innovative/collaborative scholarship which the student would otherwise be unable to pursue. Funding can be used for:

• A research allowance (including allowance for professional development or travel relevant to the scholarly work)
• Student stipend, if the student’s current funding source would not allow the alternative project(s)

Each year funding is available for up to approximately 30 new students from all faculties at UBC and UBCO. Scholars selected for the cohort will be eligible for a renewal funding a second year. Just like last year, the 2024-25 applications also feature the special 'Health Equity Stream' created in partnership with UBC Health. The Health Equity Stream is a dedicated funding source to further increase the number of PSI scholars from all faculties and departments whose work addresses health issues and seeks to impact health equity within local, national, and global health systems.

Health-oriented and equity-focused research exists in surprising and unexpected places across every faculty, school, and department at UBC. Doctoral students from across UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan undertaking innovative health equity-oriented research are invited to apply for the Health Equity Stream of the Public Scholars Initiative when the call opens in March.

Doctoral students and supervisors who are interested in the health equity stream are encouraged to attend this information session to learn more about programming, eligibility criteria, and the application process. 

About the PSI

UBC’s flagship scholarship program to encourage and fund impactful, cross-disciplinary, multisectoral doctoral research, the Public Scholars Initiative (PSI), is getting ready to accept applications for its next cohort of students. Launched in 2015, PSI has since won national and international recognition for its focus on ‘reimagining the PhD’ to benefit society and enhance career readiness.

Currently PSI has a network of 261 doctoral students and alumni from twelve faculties across UBC, and we are looking to add 30-40 more students this year. UBC’s Public Scholars enjoy academic support, professional development and networking opportunities, and, not least, up to $20,000 in funding over two years for research expenses and/or stipend. This information session is more focused on the new health equity stream, however, check the PSI website for other upcoming information sessions and application details.