University of British Columbia Four Year Doctoral Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded PhD Opportunity for International and Canadian Students
Overview
The University of British Columbia Four Year Doctoral Fellowship, known as the 4YF, supports doctoral students at the Vancouver campus. From September 2026 onward, recipients can receive a $24,000 annual stipend plus full tuition coverage for up to four years of study. UBC describes the programme as a way to attract and keep outstanding doctoral researchers by giving them stable base-level funding.
What you get
The stipend is $24,000 per year, and tuition is covered in full. At that rate, a student funded for four years could receive up to $96,000 in stipend, plus tuition coverage. Four years is a maximum, not a guarantee, and the duration can be shorter in some circumstances. Funding depends on satisfactory academic progress, and the official 4YF Guidelines set out the detailed rules.
Who can apply
The fellowship may be held by Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents and international students, and no country-specific restriction is stated. It is generally offered to students starting full-time study in a PhD, Doctor of Musical Arts or combined MD/PhD programme. Continuing students may also be offered a fellowship, but priority goes to incoming students.
Requirements
Selection rests on academic excellence and recommendation by the graduate programme. Each UBC graduate programme receives an allocation of fellowships and chooses its strongest incoming and continuing doctoral students. Candidates must meet the admission requirements of their chosen programme.
How to apply
Incoming students do not normally submit a separate fellowship application. PhD, DMA and MDPhD applicants who are offered admission to UBC are automatically considered for 4YF funding, so the route is to apply for admission to a suitable UBC graduate programme.
Key dates
Deadlines are set individually by each UBC graduate programme, so applicants should check the dates for their intended programme. The new funding level applies from September 2026.
Links in this posting
- The University of British Columbia (UBC) Four Year Doctoral Fellowship (4YF) is a major doctoral funding opportunity designed to support outstanding students undertaking advanced research at one of Canada’s leading universities. The fellowship provides substantial financial support to eligible doctoral students, including international students, Canadian citizens, and permanent residents.
- Recipients should consult the official 4YF Guidelines for detailed policies governing the duration and administration of their funding.
- For information about admission procedures and requirements visit the Application & Admission page.
- After selecting a recipient, the graduate program notifies UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies by submitting a signed University Award Recommendation Form.
- UBC provides a 4YF Interruption Form for recipients who need such an interruption and who do not intend to apply for a corresponding professional leave of absence from the university.