This award is part of the UBC Public Scholars Initiative intended to build connections, community, and capacity for PhD students who are interested in explicitly linking their doctoral work to an arena of public benefit and integrating broader and more career-relevant forms of scholarship into their doctoral education process.
Up to $10,000 per student is available to support innovative dissertation scholarship which the student would otherwise be unable to pursue. Funding can be used for:
- Student stipend, if the student’s current funding source would not allow the alternative project(s)
- A research allowance
- An allowance for professional development relevant to the scholarly work
- A travel allowance for collaborative work
Funding is available for up to 50 students in 2015-16. Students may be eligible for renewal for a second year.
Eligibility
PhD students in years 1-5 (for both initial and second year of funding, if applicable).
Procedures
Student applications must include the following information, for submission to Ms. Lisa Pountney (lisa.pountney@ubc.ca) by May 15, 2015.
- Name, student number, contact information, PhD year, and program
- Student’s statement of purpose (maximum 1 page)
- Student’s CV (CCV)
- Research proposal, including summary of research to date if applicable (maximum 2 pages)
- Letter of support and engagement from supervisor. Please address student’s capability to engage in the proposed work and your approach to supporting the student’s goals relevant to the Public Scholar initiative.
For students requesting funding, please also include:
- Amount requested, proposed use of funds, and budget within funding period
- If stipend support is requested, please include:
- Current funding, with source(s)
- Indication of other scholarship applications made since start of PhD program
- Explanation of why current stipend support is unavailable or insufficient
- If an external collaborator is involved: their name(s), organization, contact information, and a letter of support from them
- Student’s past accomplishments and future promise. Breadth of interest and accomplishment will be important, as well as an indication of the student’s fit with the proposed project.
- Quality of proposed scholarship. The following factors will be taken into account:
- The work requires a high level of expertise in a discipline(s) and/or methodology
- The goals are clearly defined, realistic, and identify important questions
- Adequate preparation for and understanding of the subject is indicated
- Appropriate methods are proposed to achieve the goals
- Plans to document and disseminate the work are appropriate and effective
- The work has significance and is likely to contribute positively to the public good
- Need for alternative funding sources.
- Consideration will also be given to breadth of the initiative across disciplines.
Applicants will be notified of the results of the adjudication by the second half of June.
Further Information
Requirements for all funded students:
- Submission of a report at the end of their first (and if applicable, second) year of funding
- Presentation of their work at a Network event
All students, faculty, and collaborators will be asked to complete a questionnaire at the end of their funding/involvement. Student dissertations and student completion and career outcomes will also be reviewed as part of the assessment of this pilot initiative.
For questions about this process or initiative, please contact Dr. Jenny Phelps (jenny.phelps@ubc.ca)
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.grad.ubc.ca/awards/ubc-public-scholars-award