The University of British Columbia

For all our thesis based graduate students, regardless of visa status, we offer the following funding packages:

• Effective January 2011 the minimum masters stipend will increase from $19,100 a year to $20,700 a year with a 2% annual increase for the next three years. This applies to all current and incoming students. The stipend is guaranteed for the first two years of the program.
• A stipend worth $21,240 per year guaranteed for four years for doctoral students.
• Funds to cover tuition fees for the first four years of a doctoral program.

Funds for stipends can come from a supervisor's research account and/or a teaching assistantship. Stipend levels will change depending on any external scholarships held. Non thesis students aren't eligible for these stipends or any of the following competitive awards.

The awards listed below are the main source of non-stipend funding for EOS students. Your supervisor will also be able to suggest other possibilities. FoGS also maintains a comprehensive list of upcoming competitions. You can also search for means tested bursaries on the Student Assistance website.

Graduate Support Initiative

Eligibility: Domestic and visa doctoral students
These funds are currently used to cover tuition fees for PhD students for up to their first four years in the program. Funds are automatically assigned before the start of each term.

Four Year Fellowships

Eligibility: Incoming and current domestic and visa doctoral students.
The department offers a small number of Four Year Fellowships (FYF) to outstanding doctoral students worth $16,000 per year with free tuition. Preference is given to incoming applicants but they can be awarded to current students. Nominations for the award are made by a potential or current supervisor.
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Department Awards

Eligibility: Domestic and visa PhD and Masters students
Every year the department awards around $40,000 in graduate scholarships from our endowed funds. These are a mixture of entrance scholarships and awards for current students. Awards are usually made via nomination by a faculty member.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

Eligibility: Domestic Masters and PhD students
Value: $17,000 for a masters student and $21,000 or $35,000 for a PhD
NSERC is the federal agency for funding research in the natural sciences and engineering. The main competition is open to domestic applicants only. The next departmental competition will held in September. Domestic and international Students can also apply for a NSERC Industrial scholarship, which has a rolling deadline.

Affiliated Fellowships

Eligibility: Domestic and International PhD and Masters students
Value: Most awards are worth $16,000 - $17,000 a year
These are a collection of awards held by UBC which are supported by private donors. Anyone who applies for a NSERC award is automatically considered for a UGF. The next departmental competition will be held in September 2009.
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Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Eligibility: Domestic and International PhD students
Value: $50,000 a year for up to two years
Students can apply by submitting a standard NSERC or UGF application. Vanier's are highly competitive and NSERC only awarded 55 for the whole of Canada in 2009.
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Graduate Student Travel Fund

Eligibility: Domestic and International PhD and Masters students
Value: $300 for a masters student and $600 for a PhD
This is a department held fund which is supported by endowed funds. We use it to provide support for conference travel and expenses.
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Teaching Assistant Posts

Each year we hire graduate students to help teach our undergraduate courses. These posts are open to all admitted students and are advertised via email. Posts are usually advertised during May/June for the following academic year. Masters students earn $27.86 per hour and PhD students earn $28.96 per hour (figure valid until end of August 2009).