Federal and external scholarship opportunities

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) administers a number of external awards programs, including those offered by federal, provincial, and other scholarship agencies. UNBC students are encouraged to apply for funding opportunities from Canada’s three major government research granting agencies:  the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Competitions for many of the major federal and provincial scholarships that UNBC administers take place in the September semester each year. Applicants are required to check the websites below, as well as the agency websites for eligibility and application details and instructions.  Students should also note that application procedures vary for many external competitions. In some cases, applicants are required to apply directly to the granting agency, while in others, the award undergoes an adjudication process at UNBC’s Office of Research. Please contact grad-scholarships@unbc.ca with your questions.

Undergraduate Student Opportunities

NSERC - Undergraduate Student Research Award - Federal

Up to 15 awards for master's students are available, each valued at $15,000 over 1 year.

Deadline: TBD, January 2025

Apply

Northern Scientific Training Program

The Northern Scientific Training Program, administered by Polar Knowledge Canada, aims to promote interest in northern research and provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to obtain experience and professional training in the North. If after reading the program overview you are interested in this opportunity please also review the information manual before applying. 

Deadline: TBD, November 2024

Contact: Gary Wilson gary.wilson@unbc.ca

Apply

Graduate Student Opportunities (Master's)

Weston Family Awards in Northern Research - External

Up to 15 awards for master’s students valued at $20,000 over one year

Important dates:

Information Webinar: November 28, 2024 1 – 2 p.m. ET

Application deadline: January 16, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET

Award announcement: May 2025

Apply

Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarship - External

The Mackenzie King Scholarships were set up under the will of the Rt. Hon. W.L. Mackenzie King (1874-1950), who was Prime Minister of Canada 1921-26, 1926-30, and 1935-48.

Two classes of Mackenzie King Scholarship are available to graduates of Canadian universities: the Open Scholarship and the Travelling Scholarship. Both are to support graduate study. 

The Open Scholarship is available to graduates of Canadian universities who pursue graduate study in any discipline, in Canada or elsewhere.  One Open Scholarship is awarded each year. The value has recently been about $12,000 but it is subject to change.  The Travelling Scholarship is available to graduates of Canadian universities who pursue graduate study in the United States or the United Kingdom in the areas of international relations or industrial relations.  Recently four scholarships of $13,500 each have been awarded annually, but the number and the amount are subject to change

Deadline: TBD, February 2025

Apply

Rhodes Scholarship - External

When diverse individuals come together with a shared purpose, remarkable new possibilities emerge. The Rhodes Scholarship offers a transformative opportunity for outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Applications for the 2025 Rhodes Scholarships are now open. Fees and stipend to study at the University of Oxford in England.

Deadline: 27 September 2024

Apply

McCall MacBain Scholarship - External

Tuition, fees and living stipend to study at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.

Deadline: 25 September 2024

Apply

Northern Scientific Training Program

The Northern Scientific Training Program, administered by Polar Knowledge Canada, aims to promote interest in northern research and provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to obtain experience and professional training in the North. If after reading the program overview you are interested in this opportunity please also review the information manual before applying. 

Deadline: TBD, November 2024

Contact: Gary Wilson gary.wilson@unbc.ca

Apply

Canada Graduate Scholarships - Masters (CGS-M) - Federal

$27,000 in funding over 1 year.

Deadline: November 10, 2024

Apply

Canada Graduate Scholarship Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement - Federal

This is a supplement of up to $6,000 for students holding a CGS award.

Internal Deadline: June 1 and October 1 annually

Apply NSERC

Apply SSHRC

Apply CIHR

CIHR Strategic Master's Award - Federal

The CIHR Strategic Master's Award program provides financial support to scholars who are engaged in eligible Master's programs in Canada that are relevant to specific CIHR policy areas. This support allows scholars to concentrate on their studies in their chosen fields. This funding opportunity will support projects relevant to the following research areas with up to $17,500 in funding for up to one year:

CIHR Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies

CIHR Institute of Genetics

CIHR Institute of Gender and Health

CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health

Deadline: TBD

Apply

Graduate Student Opportunities (Doctoral)

Weston Family Awards in Northern Research - External

Up to 10 awards for doctoral students valued at $120,000 over three years

Important dates:

Information Webinar: November 28, 2024 1 – 2 p.m. ET

Application deadline: January 16, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET

Award announcement: May 2025

Apply

Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarship - External

The Mackenzie King Scholarships were set up under the will of the Rt. Hon. W.L. Mackenzie King (1874-1950), who was Prime Minister of Canada 1921-26, 1926-30, and 1935-48.

Two classes of Mackenzie King Scholarship are available to graduates of Canadian universities: the Open Scholarship and the Travelling Scholarship. Both are to support graduate study. 

The Open Scholarship is available to graduates of Canadian universities who pursue graduate study in any discipline, in Canada or elsewhere.  One Open Scholarship is awarded each year. The value has recently been about $12,000 but it is subject to change.  The Travelling Scholarship is available to graduates of Canadian universities who pursue graduate study in the United States or the United Kingdom in the areas of international relations or industrial relations.  Recently four scholarships of $13,500 each have been awarded annually, but the number and the amount are subject to change

Deadline: TBD, February 2025

Apply

Rhodes Scholarship - External (Doctorate of Philosophy students only)

When diverse individuals come together with a shared purpose, remarkable new possibilities emerge. The Rhodes Scholarship offers a transformative opportunity for outstanding young people from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Applications for the 2025 Rhodes Scholarships are now open. Fees and stipend to study at the University of Oxford in England.

Deadline: 27 September 2024

Apply

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship - Federal

$50,000 per year for 3 years.

See the Vanier quotas for 2024-2025 to 2026-2027 on here.

The internal deadline for application reviews is set for September 18, 2024 before 5:00 p.m.

Canada Graduate Scholarship-Doctoral (CGS-D) - Federal

$40,000 per year for 3 years.

Deadline:17 September 2024 before 3:00 p.m.

Apply NSERC

Apply SSHRC

Apply CIHR

Canada Graduate Scholarship Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement - Federal

This is a supplement of up to $6,000 for students holding a CGS award.

Internal Deadline: June 1 and October 1 annually

Apply NSERC

Apply SSHRC

Apply CIHR

Northern Scientific Training Program

The Northern Scientific Training Program, administered by Polar Knowledge Canada, aims to promote interest in northern research and provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to obtain experience and professional training in the North. If after reading the program overview you are interested in this opportunity please also review the information manual before applying. 

Deadline: TBD, November 2024

Contact: Gary Wilson gary.wilson@unbc.ca

Apply

Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship - External

This three-year leadership program is designed to train Engaged Leaders by equipping outstanding doctoral candidates with the skills needed to turn their ideas into action for the benefit of their communities, Canada, and the world. Each year, selected scholars receive leadership training within the framework of Brave Spaces, along with generous funding for their studies. Up to $40,000 per year, for three years to cover tuition and living expenses. Applications Opens on September 9, 2024 9:00 a.m. EST

Deadline: November 25, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. EST

See 2025 competition key dates here

Apply