Federal and external scholarship opportunities

The University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) administers a number of external awards programs, including those offered by federal, provincial, and other scholarship agencies. UNBC students are encouraged to apply for funding opportunities from Canada’s three major government research granting agencies:  the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Competitions for many of the major federal and provincial scholarships that UNBC administers take place in the September semester each year. Applicants are required to check the websites below, as well as the agency websites for eligibility and application details and instructions.  Students should also note that application procedures vary for many external competitions. In some cases, applicants are required to apply directly to the granting agency, while in others, the award undergoes an adjudication process at UNBC’s Office of Research. Please contact grad-scholarships@unbc.ca with your questions.


Undergraduate Student Opportunities

NSERC - Undergraduate Student Research Award - Federal

$6,000 in funding for May-August (16 week) work term

Deadline: March 1, 2023

Graduate Student Opportunities (Master's)

Weston Family Awards in Northern Research - External

Up to 15 awards for master's students are available, each valued at $15,000 over 1 year.

Deadline: January 24, 2023 

Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarship - External

1 open scholarship and up to 4 travelling scholarships awarded annually

Deadline: February 1, 2023

Rhodes Scholarship - External

Fees and stipend to study at the University of Oxford in England

Deadline: TBD, September 2023

McCall MacBain Scholarship - External

Tuition, fees and living stipend to study at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec

Deadline: September 27, 2023 1:00 PM

Canada Graduate Scholarships - Masters (CGS-M) - Federal

$17,500 in funding over 1 year

Deadline: TBD, December 2023

Canada Graduate Scholarship Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement - Federal

This is a supplement of up to $6,000 for students holding a CGS award.

Deadline: June 1 and October 1 annually

Graduate Student Opportunities (Doctoral)

Weston Family Awards in Northern Research - External

Up to 10 awards are available for doctoral students, each valued at $50,000 over 2 years.

Deadline: January 24, 2023 

Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarship - External

1 open scholarship and up to 4 travelling scholarships awarded annually

Deadline: February 1, 2023

Rhodes Scholarship - External (Doctorate of Philosophy students only)

Fees and stipend to study at the University of Oxford in England

Deadline: TBD, September 2023

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship - Federal

$50,000 per year for 3 years

Deadline: TBD, September 2023

Canada Graduate Scholarship-Doctoral (CGS-D) - Federal

$35,000 per year for 3 years

Deadline: TBD, October 2023

Canada Graduate Scholarship Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement - Federal

This is a supplement of up to $6,000 for students holding a CGS award.

Deadline: June 1 and October 1 annually

Pierre Elliot Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship - External

Up to $40,000 per year, for three years to cover tuition and living expenses.

Deadline: TBD, December 2023