AWARDS

Student Stipends 

Competitive stipends are available to all M.Sc. and Ph.D. GSAT students throughout their graduate school tenure. In addition, first-year rotation scholarships will be available to applicants with outstanding academic achievements. All candidates accepted into the GSAT program will be considered for these scholarships. In addition, all first year GSAT-enrolled students will have their first year of tuition paid. 

Beginning in September 2026, PhD students are guaranteed a minimum total funding package of $40,000 per year for up to four years.  The minimum funding package can be in the form of a graduate research assistant stipend (GRA) alone, or in combination with scholarships/awards, salary from a teaching assistant (GTA), or academic assistant position (GAA) as determined by the supervisor’s and graduate program’s relevant policies. The minimum funding package shall not include the International Tuition Award or funding that Indigenous students receive from their band or nation. At present MSc students and PhD students after their 4th year must take home >$30,000/year after tuition and fees.

GSAT M.Sc. Research Rotation Award 

These awards allow M.Sc. students the opportunity to undertake research rotations during their first semester, in addition to course work, in order to fulfill the requirements of their degree. The rotations provide students with knowledge and technical skills from different disciplines and engage in a vast array of methodological approaches that are important in resolving major scientific challenges. The opportunity to complete significant practical work on real genomic problems is one of the distinguishing features of this program. It ensures a good fit between student and supervisor, as both have become familiar with each other before committing to a thesis project.  All candidates accepted into the GSAT program for a September start date will be considered for this award.  All selected rotation students will have the first two years of tuition paid. 

Students with research rotation awards will participate in three 4-week research rotations in their first semester (Sept-Dec). These research rotations, undertaken at various venues and laboratories, provide collaborative research opportunities across different academic centres and with different program faculty.  Trainees will select the labs for their rotation based on availability and their research interests and career goals. These rotations will provide the students with knowledge and technical skills from different disciplines and engage students in a vast array of methodological approaches that are important in resolving major scientific challenges. 

GSAT Travel Award  

The GSAT Travel Award provides financial support for students presenting or participating in academic conferences and other research-related events. M.Sc. students may access this funding once during their program, while Ph.D. students are eligible to receive the award up to twice during their studies. 

The Competitions are held twice per year: 

  • May 1 to October 30, with an application deadline of April 30 
  • November 1 to April 30, with an application deadline of October 30 

The award amount for Conferences, Research Exchanges, and Workshops is up to $1,500.

For Conference Travel, you must submit the following to the Program Coordinator at gsatgrad@msl.ubc.ca: 

  1. A copy of the abstract you will present (poster or talk)
  2. Purpose of travel – conference name and date
  3. Requested amount of funding
  4. An updated CV

For Research Exchanges/Workshops, you must submit the following to the Program Coordinator at gsatgrad@msl.ubc.ca: 

  1. Purpose of travel – proposed workshop or exchange
  2. Location and dates of attendance
  3. Requested amount of funding
  4. 1-2 page summary of the proposed research travel project
  5. An updated CV

Eligible Expenses: 

  • ✈️ Transportation 
  • 🏨 Accommodation 
  • 📄 Registration Fees 

GSAT Summer Scholarship – Undergraduate 

This award is for an undergraduate student to spend 4 months in a GSAT faculty member’s laboratory for the summer. Priority will be given to 4th year students who are graduating and thinking of entering graduate studies, but all applications will be considered. The award value is $5,000, and the student’s supervisor will provide the remainder of the summer salary to at least meet the provincial minimum wage standard. If the student already has secured funding for the summer from another source, they are not eligible to apply for this award. 

Application process

Please submit all application materials in order and as a single PDF file to the Program Coordinator at gsatgrad@msl.ubc.ca:

  1. A complete application form, available under Documents
  2. CV
  3. Transcripts (non-official are acceptable)
  4. GSAT faculty you wish to work with

Deadline: Mid-March (date TBC)

SBME Synergy – Undergraduate 

The SBME Synergy Undergraduate Summer Research Program is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain paid hands-on research experience in one of UBC’s world-class biomedical engineering labs. Undergraduate students interested in the GSAT program have the opportunity to apply to the Synergy program under the supervision of a GSAT faculty member. 

Application process: 

  1. Confirm your eligibility 
  2. Find a supervisor 
  3. Submit your application  

Applications open in February. Find more information on the SBME website.

Other Awards & Scholarships 

The UBC Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies also provides a list of awards (internal and external) we encourage you to explore and apply based on eligibility.

Learn More