UBC Killam Doctoral Scholarships 2027-28 – Full Details

The University of British Columbia (UBC) Killam Doctoral Scholarships 2027-28 are among the university’s most prestigious awards for doctoral researchers. Funded through the Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Fund for Advanced Studies, the scholarships recognize outstanding doctoral candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, research potential, and strong personal qualities. Approximately 25 scholarships are awarded annually.

For the 2027-28 academic cycle, the application deadline is 15 September 2026 at 12:00 noon Pacific Time (PT).

💰 Scholarship Benefits & Financial Support

The UBC Killam Doctoral Scholarship provides substantial financial support to help doctoral researchers concentrate on their studies and research.

Key benefits include:

• Annual Stipend: CAD $40,000 per year for up to two years.

• Research Travel Allowance: Up to CAD $2,000 over the 24-month award period to support eligible research-related travel, conference participation, or fieldwork.

• UBC Vancouver Four Year Fellowship: Killam scholars based at the UBC Vancouver campus may also receive UBC Four Year Fellowship (4YF) support, subject to the applicable eligibility and funding conditions.

• Tuition Support: Eligible 4YF arrangements can provide multi-year tuition funding in addition to the scholarship support.

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

The scholarship is available to highly accomplished doctoral researchers across academic disciplines at UBC.

Citizenship

Applicants may be:

• Canadian citizens

• Canadian permanent residents

• International students

Doctoral Program Requirement

Applicants must be enrolled in, or applying to, a full-time doctoral program at UBC.

24-Month Doctoral Study Rule

For the 2027-28 competition, applicants must have completed no more than 24 months of doctoral study as of 1 September 2027.

Direct Master's-to-PhD Transfers

Applicants who transferred directly from a master's program into a doctoral program without completing a master's degree have their doctoral-study period calculated according to the applicable UBC rules.

Funding is also subject to the maximum allowable period of graduate study and generally cannot continue beyond the applicable 48-month cumulative graduate-study limit.

Applicants should carefully review UBC's official eligibility rules because the calculation of doctoral and graduate-study months can depend on individual academic circumstances.

📝 Integrated Application Process

The UBC Killam Doctoral Scholarship does not require a separate standalone application. Applicants are considered through UBC's broader doctoral fellowship competitions.

Step 1: Apply Through the Appropriate Competition

Applicants should submit a complete application through the UBC Affiliated Fellowships – Doctoral Competition. Eligible domestic applicants may also be considered through the applicable tri-agency CGS-D competition.

Step 2: Automatic Killam Consideration

There is generally no separate Killam application form. Candidates entering the relevant UBC fellowship competition are automatically considered for Killam selection according to the applicable competition procedures.

Step 3: Faculty-Level Evaluation

Applications are evaluated through the appropriate academic and faculty review processes. Key assessment areas include:

• Academic excellence

• Research potential

• Communication skills

• Overall strength of the application and research profile

The highest-ranked candidates from the fellowship competition are selected for the prestigious Killam Doctoral Scholarship.

📂 Documents Required

Applicants should prepare the documents required for the relevant UBC doctoral fellowship competition, which may include:

• Academic transcripts

• Detailed academic and research CV

• Research proposal or study plan

• Description of research experience and achievements

• References or recommendation letters

• Evidence of academic distinctions and awards

• Program and supervisor information

• Other supporting documents required by the applicant's graduate program or UBC fellowship competition

Applicants should follow the specific document and formatting requirements provided by UBC and their graduate department.

📅 Important Dates

Stage	Date
Application Deadline	15 September 2026, 12:00 noon PT
Departmental Nominations	13 October 2026
Result Notification	Late Winter / Early Spring 2027
Scholarship Commencement	1 September 2027

Applicants should submit their materials well before the deadline because graduate departments may have internal procedures or earlier preparation requirements.

🔍 Selection Process

The UBC Killam Doctoral Scholarship is highly competitive. Applicants are assessed through the university's doctoral fellowship competition and subsequent selection processes.

The evaluation may consider:

• Academic excellence

• Quality and significance of the proposed research

• Research potential

• Research achievements and experience

• Communication skills

• Overall scholarly profile

Graduate departments first review applications and forward selected nominations to the appropriate UBC faculty-level authorities. The strongest candidates are then considered for the Killam award.

📌 Important Points to Remember

• The Killam Doctoral Scholarship is an integrated fellowship competition rather than a completely separate application.

• The 2027-28 deadline is 15 September 2026 at 12:00 noon PT.

• Applicants must satisfy the applicable 24-month doctoral-study requirement as of 1 September 2027.

• International students, Canadian citizens, and permanent residents may be eligible.

• Candidates applying through UBC's doctoral fellowship competitions should ensure that all documents and references meet the specified requirements.

• Applicants should pay close attention to graduate department deadlines and internal nomination procedures.

• Funding duration and associated tuition support can depend on the applicable UBC fellowship and program rules.

🔗 Official Information & Application Portal

UBC Killam Doctoral Scholarships:
https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/killam-doctoral-scholarships

UBC Affiliated Fellowships – Doctoral Competition:
https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/affiliated-fellowships-doctoral-program

Conclusion

The UBC Killam Doctoral Scholarships 2027-28 offer outstanding doctoral researchers the opportunity to receive major financial support while pursuing advanced research at the University of British Columbia. With an annual stipend of CAD $40,000 for up to two years, additional research travel support, and potential Four Year Fellowship benefits for eligible Vancouver scholars, the award is one of UBC's most competitive doctoral funding opportunities. Candidates should begin preparing their fellowship application well in advance of the 15 September 2026 deadline.