Announcing increased financial support for PhD students and postdoctoral fellows

We are pleased to announce that UBC is launching an initiative to strengthen funding support for PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, effective fall 2026.

This initiative represents a substantial expansion of funding resources, and will form one component of an ongoing, system-wide review of graduate and postdoctoral funding at the university.

PhD students

This investment will support an increase to the guaranteed base funding for PhD students in Years 1-4 to $40,000 per year. The intent is to strengthen overall funding levels for current and future PhD students and support enhanced funding levels rather than enrolment growth. It also reaffirms a model of shared commitment to graduate student support, including essential ongoing contributions from Faculties, departments and supervisors.

Postdoctoral fellows

This investment will also support the establishment of a minimum annual stipend of $55,000 for all postdoctoral fellows holding either employee or award-recipient appointments. One-time incremental (top-up) funds will be available to support postdoctoral fellows whose current supports fall below the minimum after the implementation date, through a review process, with more details to follow.

These initiatives are in alignment with UBC’s strategic directions and reflect UBC’s commitment to excellence across our scholarly communities and to supporting the academic pursuits and wellbeing of PhD students and postdoctoral fellows.

More information will be shared as implementation progresses.

Full details of this announcement are now available for UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan.

Gage Averill
Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Vancouver

Marie Tarrant
Provost and Vice-President, Academic, pro tem, UBC Okanagan