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
Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRAs) aim to foster interest and develop potential for research careers while encouraging graduate studies through research experience in academic settings. USRAs are valued at $6,000, with a required supplement from the host institution, and support 16 weeks of full-time research experience from May to August. In addition to the NSERC online application students will also be required to submit a 1 page research proposal to grad-scholarships@unbc.ca
Deadline: Closed (TBD For 2026)
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 2025
Contact: Gary Wilson gary.wilson@unbc.ca
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
Application deadline: Closed (TBD For 2026)
Award announcement: May 2025
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
Internal Deadline: Closed (TBD For 2026)
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 Rhodes Scholarships will be open soon. Fees and stipend to study at the University of Oxford in England.
Additionally, the British Columbia regional session will take place on April 2, 2025, at 4 pm EDT.
Registration link
Deadline: TBD, June 2025
McCall MacBain Scholarship - External
Tuition, fees and living stipend to study at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec.
Deadline: TBD, September 2025
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 2025
Contact: Gary Wilson gary.wilson@unbc.ca
Canada Graduate Scholarships - Masters (CGS-M) - Federal
The CGS M program offers financial support to outstanding scholars pursuing eligible master’s in Canada. This funding allows recipients to focus on their academic work. Annually, up to 3,000 students across all disciplines are supported. The program is managed by Canada’s three granting agencies: NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC. The application process and post-award administration are handled at the institutional level, with students submitting their applications through the Research Portal to the institution where they intend to hold the award. The CGS M program provides $27,000 in funding over one year.
Deadline: Closed (TBD for 2026)
Canada Graduate Scholarship Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement - Federal
The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-MSFSS) support outstanding Canadian graduate students in establishing global connections and expanding international networks through exceptional research opportunities at foreign research institutions. By engaging in international scientific research and training, recipients contribute to fostering collaboration between Canadian and international institutions.
CGS-MSFSS supplements of up to $6,000 are available to active CGS (master’s or doctoral) holders to help cover the costs of conducting research abroad for a defined period. Each year, 250 awards are available, distributed across three agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), with 45 awards for CIHR, 80 for NSERC, and 125 for SSHRC. Additional supplements may be awarded if additional funds become available.
Please forward you applications to Grad-Scholarships@unbc.ca
Internal Deadline: June 1 and October 1 annually
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 Gender and Health
CIHR Institute of Indigenous Peoples' Health
Deadline: TBD
Branch Out Neurological Foundation Graduate Grant
This Graduate Grant is a matched salary-stipend award designed for graduate students conducting NeuroCAM studies at partnering universities. Selected students will receive a $22,000 salary for the academic year from September to August, with their academic supervisor contributing 40% of the salary value ($8,800). This grant is available for a duration of one year.
For questions, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. You can also reach out to us anytime about this grants or the application process at research@branchoutfoundation.com.
For more information, visit Graduate Grant page.
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
Application deadline: January 16, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET
Award announcement: May 2025
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
Internal Deadline: February 1, 2025 4PM PT
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 receive fees and a stipend to study at the University of Oxford in England.
The full list of upcoming sessions can be found on the Rhodes Trust website:
Rhodes Trust Information Sessions.
Deadline: 23:59 Pacific Time, 27 September 2024
Canada Graduate Scholarship-Doctoral (CGS-D) - Federal
The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS D) program is a prestigious federal scholarship initiative aimed at promoting research excellence across various disciplines, including natural sciences, engineering, health, and social sciences and humanities. Administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the CGS D program offers scholars the opportunity to focus more fully on their doctoral studies, seek top research mentors, and contribute significantly to the Canadian research ecosystem. Funding for the CGS D program is valued at $40,000 per year for up to three years.
Applicants are considered for both CGS D and agency-specific doctoral awards through a single application. Additionally, CIHR applicants intending to pursue research abroad must apply for the Doctoral Foreign Study Award (DFSA). While some eligibility requirements differ between the CGS D and agency-specific awards, detailed information can be found in the respective NSERC, CIHR, and SSHRC guidelines, including eligibility for doctoral awards at foreign institutions.
Deadline: Closed (TBD, For 2026)
Canada Graduate Scholarship Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement - Federal
The Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements (CGS-MSFSS) support outstanding Canadian graduate students in establishing global connections and expanding international networks through exceptional research opportunities at foreign research institutions. By engaging in international scientific research and training, recipients contribute to fostering collaboration between Canadian and international institutions.
CGS-MSFSS supplements of up to $6,000 are available to active CGS (master’s or doctoral) holders to help cover the costs of conducting research abroad for a defined period. Each year, 250 awards are available, distributed across three agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), with 45 awards for CIHR, 80 for NSERC, and 125 for SSHRC. Additional supplements may be awarded if additional funds become available.
Please forward you applications to Grad-Scholarships@unbc.ca
Internal Deadline: June 1 and October 1 annually
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 2025
Contact: Gary Wilson gary.wilson@unbc.ca
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.
Deadline: TBD, November 2025
International Funding Opportunities
GlobalScholarships.com $3,000 Scholarship for International Students
GlobalScholarships.com is offering a $3,000 annual scholarship to support one eligible international student for Fall 2025 studies. This scholarship is open to prospective or current international students enrolled in any postsecondary degree program, including diploma, Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D., and professional programs like law and medicine.
Eligibility: Students studying in a country where they are not a citizen or permanent resident.
Timeline:
- Application Deadline: May 31, 2025
- Finalists Notified: June 15–30, 2025
- Winner Announced: July 15–25, 2025
Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the winner’s institution.
For more details, visit GlobalScholarships.com.
For additional opportunities, you can explore external scholarships available annually on our dedicated External Scholarships page.