UBC Faculty Research Award Opportunities

UBC recognizes individual investigators who demonstrate excellence in research through a suite of seven annual research awards and fellowships that span all disciplines in the sciences, applied sciences, medicine, arts, social sciences, and humanities.

Summary of changes in 2023:

  • The Contextual Perspective and Research Impact sections are now required sections for the Killam Accelerator Research Fellowship and the Killam Faculty Research Fellowship.
  • The internal awards (except for the Killam Accelerator Research Fellowship) now only require at least 1 tenured or tenure track faculty nominator or in the case of the PAPEM, at least 1 nominating colleague. 
  • Letters of support submitted with a confirmed conflict of interest will be excluded from the package, rendering the nomination incomplete. Incomplete packages will not be reviewed.

These awards have two nomination stages:

  1. Expression of Intent (EOI) due Friday, September 15, 2023, 11:59 pm. This optional stage assists in planning and EOIs are not evaluated. Nominations can still be submitted if the EOI deadline is missed. Note: EOI not requested for Killam Accelerator Research Fellowships given the required Faculty-led nomination process.
  2. Full Nomination due Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 11:59 pm. All required components must be submitted through the nomination form, and Killam Faculty Research Fellowship referee letters must be received by ORPA.

Please also consult our FAQs and contact us with any questions: research.prizes@ubc.ca.

Faculty Research Awards FacultyResearchAwards

Killam Accelerator Research Fellowships

Supports exceptional early career researchers across all disciplines who have the potential for significant impact in their field of scholarship.

Deadline for nominations:


Killam Faculty Research Fellowships

Assisting promising faculty members who wish to devote full time to research and study in their field during a recognized study leave.

Deadline for nominations:


President's Award for Public Education through Media

For a faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in sharing research expertise via the news media (print, broadcast, and online interviews and commentary)

Deadline for nominations:


Killam Faculty Research Prizes

Up to ten prizes of $5,000 each will be awarded to full-time tenure-stream faculty in recognition of outstanding research and scholarly contributions

Deadline for nominations:


Jacob Biely Faculty Research Prize

The Jacob Biely Faculty Research Prize was established in 1969 and is regarded as UBC’s premier award for research across all disciplines.

The award is named after eminent researcher and professor Jacob Biely, who joined UBC Faculty on a full-time basis in 1935 as an Instructor in the Department of Poultry Science. He was appointed a full professor in 1950, and two years later was named Head of his Department, a position that he held until his retirement in 1968.

Deadline for nominations:


Charles A. McDowell Award

An award for an outstanding early career faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in pure or applied scientific research.

Deadline for nominations:


Dorothy Somerset Award for Performance Development in the Visual and Performing Arts (Not offered again until Fall 2024)

Biennial award paying tribute to legendary UBC figure Dorothy Somerset. Not offered again until the 2024 cycle.

Deadline for nominations:


Sam Black Award for Education and Development in the Visual and Performing Arts

Biennial award recognizing outstanding contributions to art, music, creative writing, theatre or film; & scholarship in the fine & creative arts.

Deadline for nominations:



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