The University of British Columbia (UBC) is proud to offer the prestigious Killam Doctoral Scholarship for the 2025 academic year.
This highly competitive scholarship is open to both Canadian and international students pursuing doctoral studies at UBC.
With a generous funding package and a focus on academic excellence, the Killam Scholarship aims to support outstanding doctoral candidates in achieving their research goals.
About the Killam Scholarship
The Killam Scholarship and Prize Programmes were established in memory of Izaak Walton Killam and his wife, Dorothy Johnston Killam, to support advanced education and research at five Canadian universities and the Canada Council for the Arts.
The UBC Killam Doctoral Scholarships are provided annually from the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Fund for Advanced Studies.
Mrs. Killam desired that Killam Scholars “be likely to contribute to the advancement of learning or to win distinction in a profession. A Killam scholar should not be a one-sided person… Special distinction of intellect should be founded upon sound character.”
The Killam Doctoral Scholarships are the most prestigious awards available to graduate students at UBC.
Funding and Duration
At present, the Killam Doctoral Scholarship provides an annual stipend valued at $40,000 for two years.
This significant funding allows doctoral students to focus on their research without financial burdens.
Courses Available
The Killam Scholarship is open to doctoral students in a wide range of disciplines at UBC, including:
- Health Sciences
- Natural Sciences and Engineering
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 2025 UBC Killam Scholarship, applicants must:
- Be admitted to a full-time doctoral program at UBC
- Have completed no more than 24 months of doctoral study as of September 1, 2025
- Demonstrate exceptional research ability and potential, evaluated based on:Quality of research proposal
- Significance and expected contributions to research
- Show relevant experience and achievements both within and beyond academia
Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students are eligible to apply.
Students who currently hold or will hold a doctoral Tri-Agency award (Vanier, CGS D, CIHR Doctoral Research Award, NSERC PGSD, or SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship) automatically become Killam Scholarship recipients.
Benefits of the Killam Scholarship
In addition to the substantial funding, Killam Scholars benefit from:
- Prestige and recognition as a top doctoral student
- Opportunities to connect with leading scholars at UBC
- Access to UBC’s extensive research resources and facilities
- Ability to focus on research without financial concerns
- Enhanced career prospects with the distinction of being a Killam Scholar
How to Apply
The application process for the 2025 UBC Killam Scholarship involves several key steps:
- Apply for Admission: Submit an application for admission to a UBC doctoral program. All PhD applicants offered admission are automatically considered for Killam funding.
- Research Proposal: Prepare a high-quality research proposal that demonstrates your research question, methodology, and expected contributions to your field.
- Supporting Documents: Gather transcripts, reference letters, and other materials that showcase your academic excellence, research potential, and relevant experience.
- Internal Nomination: Each UBC graduate program nominates their top doctoral students for the Killam Scholarship. No separate scholarship application is required.
- Notification: Successful Killam Scholarship recipients are typically notified in the spring.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents must also apply for Tri-Agency doctoral awards (CIHR, NSERC, SSHRC). Students who receive these awards automatically become Killam Scholars.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for admission to a UBC doctoral program to be considered for the 2025 Killam Scholarship is September 13, 2024. However, some doctoral programs may have earlier deadlines.
Check with your prospective UBC graduate program for specific application dates.
Conclusion
The UBC Killam Doctoral Scholarship is an incredible opportunity for outstanding doctoral students to advance their research at one of Canada’s top universities.
With significant funding, prestigious recognition, and access to world-class resources, the Killam Scholarship can propel your academic career forward.
If you are a high-achieving prospective doctoral student with a compelling research vision, we encourage you to apply for admission to UBC by the September 2024 deadline.
Take the first step towards joining the distinguished community of Killam Scholars and unlocking your full research potential.
For more information about the UBC Killam Doctoral Scholarship, visit the UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.
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