The UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship is a fully funded stipend at the University of British Columbia. It supports full time PhD, DMA, and MD PhD students. There is no separate application. Many students also compare it with other fully funded routes. For example, some look at the Canada Graduate Research Scholarship Doctoral, another major PhD option in Canada.
Overview
- Host country, Canada
- Host school, University of British Columbia
- Level of study, PhD, DMA, and combined MD PhD
- Field of study, All fields, across every doctoral programme
- Nationality, Open to domestic and international students
- Funded by, University of British Columbia

Benefits of the UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship
First, scholars get a large yearly stipend. Also, they get full tuition support. Plus, funding runs for four years. In short, the award covers this.
- A stipend of 24,000 Canadian Dollars per year
- Full tuition coverage, on top of the stipend
- Funding for up to four years, for most doctoral programmes
- Open to both domestic and international students equally
- No repayment or service bond after the programme ends
Who Should Apply
This award suits students starting their first year of full time doctoral study. Meanwhile, students who want a school that adds a leadership track too may prefer the Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship. That program pairs funding with mentorship.
Eligibility Requirements
Overall, applicants must meet these points.
- Apply for an eligible full time PhD, DMA, or MD PhD programme at the school
- Show strong academic results in past study
- Show clear research potential in your chosen field
- Not need a separate form, since the school reviews you automatically
- Get a recommendation from your graduate programme, based on your admission file
No Fixed Application Deadline
Notably, there is no single fellowship deadline. Instead, you follow the admission deadline set by your chosen programme. This flexible deadline system is close to the setup used for the University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarship, where admission timing also drives the outcome.
Required Documents
- Completed doctoral programme application
- Academic transcripts
- A research proposal or statement of interest
- Letters of reference
- Proof of English language skill, where required
How to Apply
First, find a supervisor and confirm your research area at the school. Next, apply for your doctoral programme through the normal admission process. Then, your programme reviews your file and recommends you for funding. You do not fill out any extra form. This automatic review step is close to the one used for the University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship.
Application Deadline
There is no universal deadline for this fellowship. Instead, dates follow each programme’s own admission cycle. General windows fall around November 15, 2026, March 15, 2027, and June 1, 2027, based on your intended start term. So, check your chosen programme’s own deadline directly, since this window is still open now.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this fellowship gives strong, complete funding for PhD study in Canada. However, if you want an award that also adds a structured leadership programme, check other options too. For instance, the Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship bundles funding with mentorship in Canada.







