Awards

As per UBC regulations and policy, awards are available to full-time students only, unless otherwise noted.

Many of our awards are based on endowments and funds invested by the university. Given the current financial climate, neither UBC nor the iSchool can guarantee that funds will be available for these scholarships and awards in any given year.

Entering student awards

For students entering their degree program in the current awards/academic year and are assigned by the iSchool based on academic achievement and other factors as indicated by the criteria of each award. Students do not need to apply.

Continuing awards

Are reserved for students who are registered in the current awards year and have successfully registered in the following academic year; for a minimum of one term. Note criteria are based on academic and not calendar year.

Graduating awards

For students who were enrolled in an academic year and have graduated already (in May or November) and do not register in the following academic year. By the time you apply for this award, you should have graduated already, or been approved for graduation.

Specific timelines for when awards are dispersed are below:

Entering student awards

• GSI Awards will be awarded during the admissions process (February & June).
• All other entering awards will be assigned once both cohorts (September & January) have been set. This usually occurs in August, unless otherwise noted on the awards page.

Continuing student awards

• Continuing students will have their awards assigned once their continuing status is confirmed. This usually occurs in September following the faculty’s awards meeting, unless otherwise noted on the awards page.

Graduating student awards

• Graduating students will have their awards assigned in the weeks following the faculty’s awards meeting in December.

The UBC iSchool student conference travel fund supports students travelling to conferences where they will be presenting. Graduate students are able to apply for a maximum of $500 per academic year.

Applications can be made prior to or following the event.

Travel award applications are collected and adjudicated three times a year.

• Applications collected between December to February 28 will be adjudicated in March
• Applications collected between March to June 30 are adjudicated in July
• Applications collected between August to November 30 will be adjudicated in December

To apply for travel funding, complete the travel fund application form. There are 15 awards to be given out per year. Awards will be assigned until funding runs out.

Graduating students are eligible for conferences occurring within the term that they graduate (e.g. May graduates attending conferences before the end of August that same year).

This award may be distributed amongst multiple PhD students.

Important: Costs must have been incurred within the current academic fiscal year (April 1 - March 30) and students must submit their receipts by March 1.

Students will need to clearly explain in their application letter why the travel was important to assist them in their PhD program goals. For more information and to apply for this travel funding, please visit the PhD travel funding application form.

The School of Information has committed to providing additional support to students who receive Spectrum, Mosaic, and Kaleidoscope scholarships in the amount of $2,000 per student. These awards are given by external organizations and are intended to recognize the potential of high-achieving students of underrepresented racial backgrounds.

Students are encouraged to apply for these awards. If you have received one of these awards in the current academic year, please notify the iSchool Program Assistant, so your additional funding can be processed. The UBC School of Information has committed to providing additional funding from 2020 onwards and will review the initiative in five years to ensure it is meeting its goals.