Fully Funded: Apply for University of British Columbia’s Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF)

The University of British Columbia’s Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) is one of the most prestigious funding opportunities available to doctoral students at UBC. Designed to attract and support top-tier PhD, DMA, and MDPhD students, the 4YF provides recipients with financial stability and academic freedom by offering a minimum annual stipend of $18,200, along with full tuition coverage for up to four years of full-time doctoral study.

This flagship program reinforces UBC’s commitment to excellence in graduate education by enabling high-calibre students, both domestic and international, to dedicate themselves fully to advanced research and scholarly pursuits.

University: University of British Columbia (UBC) – Vancouver Campus
Administered by: Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Deadline: Likely December 2025 (exact date to be confirmed)
Value: $18,200 annual stipend + full tuition coverage
Eligibility: Domestic (Canadian), Permanent Residents, and International students
Degree Level: Doctoral (PhD, DMA, MDPhD)

Objectives of the University of British Columbia’s Four Year Doctoral Fellowship

The Four Year Doctoral Fellowship program was established with the aim to:

• Recruit and retain outstanding doctoral talent from Canada and around the globe
• Provide guaranteed, base-level funding for UBC’s most competitive doctoral students
• Foster a vibrant, innovative, and inclusive research environment

• Promote high-impact academic contributions through long-term financial support

Fellowship Benefits

Recipients of the 4YF will receive:

• A minimum annual stipend of $18,200 to support living expenses
• Full coverage of tuition for up to four years (or until degree completion, whichever comes first)
• Continued support, provided the student maintains satisfactory academic progress

This funding is flexible and may be supplemented by additional scholarships, teaching or research assistantships, and other awards.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the 4YF, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Must be admitted to, or currently enrolled in, a full-time doctoral program at UBC (PhD, DMA, or MDPhD)
• All doctoral applicants, including international students, are eligible for nomination
• Priority is given to incoming students demonstrating exceptional academic merit
• Continuing doctoral students who have not yet received funding equivalent to 4YF may also be nominated
• Applicants must not be receiving another major award that provides similar levels of support
• Students must maintain full-time enrollment and academic good standing throughout the duration of the fellowship

Evaluation and Selection Criteria

Nominations for the 4YF are made by UBC graduate programs based on:

• Academic excellence (transcripts, awards, publications, etc.)
• Research potential and proposed area of study
• Strength of reference letters
• Fit with UBC’s research priorities and the chosen department’s focus
• Evidence of leadership, creativity, and initiative in academic or community settings

Application & Nomination Procedures

Prospective students do not apply directly for the Four Year Doctoral Fellowship. Instead:

1. Apply for admission to an eligible UBC doctoral program. All applicants to UBC PhD programs are automatically considered for the 4YF.
2. Graduate programs will nominate top candidates based on admission materials.
3. Final selection is made by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Current students who meet eligibility criteria may also be nominated by their department.

Nomination deadlines vary by program. Prospective applicants are advised to contact their program’s graduate advisor or coordinator for specific timelines and guidance.

Meet Past Award Holders

The Four Year Fellowship has supported exceptional doctoral students across disciplines—from engineering and health sciences to arts and social sciences. Recipients have gone on to become leaders in academia, research, and industry, contributing significantly to their fields and to global knowledge production.

About UBC

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is consistently ranked among the world’s top 40 universities. As a globally recognized institution committed to academic excellence and research innovation, UBC provides a stimulating environment for graduate students. With more than 300 graduate programs and a strong support network for international scholars, UBC continues to cultivate a diverse and dynamic academic community.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY