UBC Four Year Doctoral Fellowship 2027 in Canada | Fully Funded — University of British Columbia
Letting individual graduate programs select their own strongest incoming and continuing students for this flagship fellowship, rather than running a single centralized competition, gives UBC’s funding allocation a genuinely department-driven structure.
About the Fellowship
The University of British Columbia’s Four Year Doctoral Fellowship, commonly known as 4YF, is a major institutional funding program administered by UBC’s Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, designed to help the university attract and retain exceptionally strong doctoral candidates from Canada and other countries. From September 2026 onward, selected UBC doctoral students receive a $24,000 CAD annual stipend plus full tuition coverage for up to four years.
Eligible nationalities include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students, with individual graduate programs selecting their strongest incoming and continuing students based primarily on academic excellence rather than a single centralized university-wide competition. This department-driven selection structure means the specific evaluation process can vary somewhat depending on your target program.
Prospective students do not normally submit a separate fellowship application; instead, they apply for admission to an eligible UBC doctoral program and are automatically considered for 4YF if offered admission, representing one of UBC’s flagship doctoral funding programs for both domestic and international PhD candidates.
As one of Canada’s leading research universities, with its main campus in Vancouver, British Columbia, UBC offers 4YF recipients access to a globally recognized institution within a city consistently ranked among the most livable in the world, combining strong academics with a distinctive Pacific Northwest setting.
Fellowship Benefits
- A $24,000 CAD annual stipend
- Full tuition coverage for up to four years
- Open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students alike
- No separate fellowship application required beyond standard PhD admission
Eligibility Criteria
- You must be admitted to an eligible doctoral program at the University of British Columbia
- International students are eligible on the same basis as Canadian citizens and permanent residents
- Your specific department selects its strongest incoming and continuing students based primarily on academic excellence
- You must maintain good academic standing to retain funding across the full four-year period
Fields of Study Covered
The fellowship applies across UBC’s eligible doctoral programs, with specific selection practices varying by individual graduate program and department.
Required Documents
- A completed University of British Columbia PhD program application
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- A statement of purpose or research interests, as required by your specific program
- Standardized test scores, if required by your department
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Apply for admission to your chosen doctoral program at the University of British Columbia
- Submit all required application materials, including transcripts, recommendation letters, and your statement of purpose
- Complete your application by your program’s specific PhD application deadline
- Understand that 4YF consideration is automatic upon admission, with no separate application
- Review your fellowship offer details once you receive an admission decision
Selection Process
Individual graduate programs at UBC select their strongest incoming and continuing doctoral students for the Four Year Doctoral Fellowship based primarily on academic excellence, without requiring applicants to submit a separate centralized fellowship application.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Submit a strong statement of purpose that clearly aligns with specific faculty research interests in your target department
- Research your specific department’s typical selection practices for 4YF recipients
- Apply as early as possible within your program’s cycle to strengthen your overall candidacy
- Compare this against other guaranteed full-funding PhD structures like the UVic PhD Entrance Fellowship when evaluating multiple program offers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a separate application for 4YF?
No, students apply for admission to an eligible doctoral program and are automatically considered for 4YF if offered admission.
What is the annual stipend amount?
$24,000 CAD, plus full tuition coverage.
How long does the fellowship last?
Up to four years.
Are international students eligible?
Yes, eligible nationalities include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students.
How are 4YF recipients selected?
Individual graduate programs select their strongest incoming and continuing students based primarily on academic excellence.
What is UBC known for academically?
A globally recognized reputation across a wide range of disciplines, located in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Does every UBC doctoral program participate in 4YF?
Confirm your specific program’s eligibility directly, since the fellowship applies to UBC’s eligible doctoral programs specifically.
Can I combine 4YF with external scholarship sources?
Check the University of British Columbia’s current policy on combining institutional fellowship funding with external scholarship sources.