The UBC Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is offered by the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada to support outstanding early-career researchers. The current 2027–2028 application cycle is open, with applicants required to follow the internal deadline set by their proposed UBC department or academic unit. The fellowship provides an annual stipend of CAD $60,000 for up to two years and is available across most fields of research. Researchers from all countries may benefit, provided they meet the eligibility requirements, including completing their PhD within the specified timeframe and securing an eligible UBC supervisor.
Scholarship Overview
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Host Country: Canada
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Host Institution: University of British Columbia (UBC)
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Opportunity Type: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
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Funding: Fully Funded / Stipend-Based
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Stipend: CAD $60,000 per year for up to 2 years
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Deadline: November 6, 2026, at 4:00 PM PT
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Status: Open for the 2027–2028 cycle
Fellowship Benefits
- Annual Stipend: CAD $60,000 per year for up to 2 years.
- Tuition Fees: Not separately provided/confirmed.
- Travel or Airfare: Not confirmed.
- Health Insurance: Not separately confirmed.
- Accommodation: Not provided/confirmed.
- Research/Settling-in Allowance: Not confirmed for the 2027–2028 cycle.
Eligibility Criteria
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Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are eligible.
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Academic Qualification: Must have completed all PhD requirements within 24 months before the fellowship start date.
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Age Limit: No specific age limit.
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Work Experience: No specific work experience required.
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Language Requirement: No separate language test requirement stated.
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UBC Requirement: Applicants must not have completed PhD studies at UBC.
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Supervisor: A qualified UBC faculty member must agree to supervise the research.
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Application Route: Applicants apply through the relevant UBC department or academic unit for nomination.
Available Fields or Programmes
The UBC Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is open to most fields of research. The official call does not provide a fixed list of specific degree programmes or subject areas.
- Research Areas: Most fields of research
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Opportunity Level: Postdoctoral Research
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Programme: Research-based fellowship at UBC
How to Apply
The UBC Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship uses a host-university nomination process. Applicants do not apply directly to the central UBC Postdoctoral Fellows Office.
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Identify a suitable UBC supervisor whose research interests align with your proposed project.
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Contact the potential supervisor and discuss your research proposal and fellowship application.
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Choose the appropriate UBC department or academic unit for your application.
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Complete the Killam fellowship application form and prepare all required supporting documents.
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Submit the complete application to the proposed UBC department/unit before its internal deadline. Each department or unit sets its own deadline, usually earlier than the university-wide nomination deadline.
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The department/unit reviews applications and selects candidates for nomination.
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Selected nominees are forwarded to UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS) for the final university-level competition.
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UBC announces the competition results and successful candidates proceed with their postdoctoral appointment and, where necessary, immigration arrangements.
Application Route: Through the host university (UBC) via the relevant department or academic unit, not through an embassy or external nominating agency.
Required Documents
Applicants should prepare the following documents confirmed in the UBC Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship application guide:
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Completed Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship application form
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Research proposal (maximum 2 pages)
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Personal statement (maximum 1 page)
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Special circumstances statement, if applicable (maximum 1 page)
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Curriculum Vitae (Canadian Common CV)
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One letter of support from the proposed UBC supervisor
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Three letters of reference
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Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate studies, with English translations where applicable
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Ancillary materials (optional, maximum 1 page)
Note: A passport copy and separate English-language test result are not listed as required application documents in the current official call.
Important Dates
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Opening Date: Fall 2026
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Applicant/Department Deadline: Set by the respective UBC department or academic unit; internal deadlines are generally earlier than the university deadline.
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Nomination Deadline: November 6, 2026, at 4:00 PM PT
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Interview Period: Not specified in the current official call.
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Result Date: Not specified in the current official call.
Note: Applicants should contact their proposed UBC department/unit for the exact internal application deadline.
The UBC Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is not a tuition-only scholarship. It provides an annual stipend of CAD $60,000 for up to two years. The current official call does not confirm separate coverage for tuition, airfare, accommodation, or other expenses.
- Nationalities: Applicants from all countries are eligible to apply, subject to Canadian immigration requirements.
- Study Level: The fellowship is for postdoctoral researchers who have completed all PhD requirements within 24 months before the anticipated fellowship start date.
No. Separate university admission is not required before applying. Applicants apply through their proposed UBC department or academic unit and must have a UBC faculty member who agrees to supervise the proposed research.
The UBC Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship 2027–2028 nomination deadline is:
November 6, 2026, at 4:00 PM Pacific Time (PT).
Applicants should note that the internal application deadline is set by the relevant UBC department or academic unit and may be earlier.
No. The current official UBC Killam Postdoctoral Research Fellowship call does not list any application fee. Applicants submit their application and supporting documents to the relevant UBC department or academic unit.
