UBC Okanagan Indigenous Graduate Fellowship

Deadline:

TBD: likely March, 2025

Eligibility of Citizenship: Canadian
Degree Level: Masters, PhD, and EdD
Award Status: Closed
Applicant Status: Incoming Students and Continuing Students

Description

Quick Facts

The UBC Okanagan Indigenous Graduate Fellowship is a merit-based fellowship that is awarded to Indigenous students entering or continuing in a full-time research-based graduate program. The Fellowship is for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people of Canada, in accordance with section 35(2) of the Constitution Act, 1982. The Fellowship will also consider Indigenous people of a transborder Indigenous nation (American Indian or Alaska Native). The Fellowship provides funding for up to two years for master’s students and up to five years for PhD students.

Value: $20,000/year plus tuition

Eligibility

Indigenous students entering or continuing in a full-time research-based master’s or doctoral program.

Academic Standing

Each year, students’ progress is evaluated as either satisfactory, requiring improvement, or unsatisfactory through an Annual Progress Report. Students with unsatisfactory progress become ineligible for award funding. Students will regain eligibility when improvement required or satisfactory status is reported in the required six month interim progress report or a subsequent annual progress report.

Number of Months of Study

Master’s students may not receive funding once they are beyond 24 months of study in the program for which they are requesting funding
PhD students may not receive funding once they are beyond 60 months of study in the program for which they are requesting funding

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria	Master’s-Level Weighting	Doctoral-Level Weighting
Academic Excellence As demonstrated by past academic results, transcripts, awards and distinctions.	50%	25%
Research Ability & Potential Demonstrated by the candidate’s research history, their interest in discovery, the proposed research and its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the field, and any anticipated outcomes.	30%	50%
Personal Characteristics, Relevant Experience and Achievements Within and Beyond Academia As demonstrated by the applicant’s past professional and relevant extracurricular interactions and collaborations.	20%	25%

Application Procedures

The following materials must be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies by the deadline:

The UBC Okanagan Indigenous Graduate Fellowship Application Form, including all required attachments, completed by the student.
- Outline of Proposed/Current Research (maximum 2 pages with citations)
- Transcripts
  - All required undergraduate and graduate official transcripts (including studies undertaken but not completed, e.g., transfer / exchange terms) – applicant uploads as a PDF
    - UBC transcripts:
      - Students can order official transcripts from student services here: https://students.ok.ubc.ca/courses-money-enrolment/transcripts/
      - If currently enrolled, the transcript must include students’ active, current term of registration whether the term contains grades or not
      - The grade summary page from the SSC account is not acceptable
    - Other transcripts:
      - Must be official and up to date (include degree conferral, if applicable) as of the application date
      - Transcripts are required even from institutions in cases of transfer credit or exchange terms
      - Foreign transcripts: if the transcripts are not presented in one of Canada’s two official languages (English or French), a certified translation must be provided, in addition to the official transcripts in its original language
      - The transcript key/legend for each institution must be included
- Curriculum Vitae
- Personal statement (up to 1,000 words): outlining your contribution and/or connection to Indigenous community.
- Community reference or letter of support: a letter from community supporting your personal statement.
  - If applicant’s have already submitted the personal statement and community reference letter for consideration of the UBC Okanagan Indigenous Scholars Award, an additional submission is not necessary.
  - Note: “Community” can mean different things. Examples can be your home community, where you live, an organization, a program, or a group of people. Please reach out if you require assistance defining your community.
- Once the UBC Okanagan Indigenous Graduate Fellowship Application Form is submitted, the student will receive an email notification that includes the application in its entirety. This must be converted into a PDF (Print – PDF) and emailed to the referee.
  - You may choose to remove the sections relating to your personal statement and community letter of reference: this is not required by your academic letter of reference.
One academic letter of reference.
- Submitted via the UBC Okanagan Indigenous Graduate Fellowship Reference Form.
- Students must send their referee the UBC Okanagan Indigenous Graduate Fellowship Reference Form link for completion.
Students are not able to update or make changes to their admission application for the purpose of this fellowship.

Nomination Procedures

The UBC Okanagan Indigenous Graduate Fellowship is administered by the College of Graduate Studies.
Applications are adjudicated by the College of Graduate Studies Scholarship and Awards Committee, in consultation with the College of Graduate Studies Indigenous Scholarship Committee.

FORMS

UBC Okanagan Indigenous Graduate Fellowship Application Form

UBC Okanagan Indigenous Graduate Fellowship Reference Form

Conditions for Award Holders

Academic Standing

Each year, students’ progress is evaluated as either satisfactory, requiring improvement, or unsatisfactory through an Annual Progress Report. Students with unsatisfactory progress become ineligible for award funding. Students will regain eligibility when improvement required or satisfactory status is reported in the required six month interim progress report or a subsequent annual progress report.

Registration

In order to remain eligible for this fellowship, students must remain registered as a full-time student for each term of the fellowship payment. Students must register in their thesis course in each term of their studies to ensure that they maintain full-time status.

Leave of Absence

Students granted a leave of absence retain the full value of any university graduate fellowship or other award whose terms and conditions are established by the College of Graduate Studies. An award will be suspended at the onset of the leave, and reinstated at the termination of the leave period.

Withdrawals

If an award holder withdraws from their program of study, the funding received during the term for which the withdrawal is processed will be recovered by the College of Graduate Studies.