Fully Funded University Of British Columbia UBC Schmidt Science Fellows Program, Canada for 2024

About the Scholarship:

The University Of British Columbia is currently accepting applications for its fully-funded UBC Schmidt Science Fellows Program.

About the University Of British Columbia:

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research institution located in British Columbia, Canada, with campuses in Kelowna and near Vancouver. Founded in 1908, it is the oldest university in British Columbia and conducts more than 8,000 research projects annually with a research budget of $759 million.

The Schmidt Science Fellows program aims to equip the world’s top young researchers in natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and computer science with new tools and perspectives to address societal challenges, become thought leaders in their fields, and accelerate groundbreaking discoveries.

Details about the UBC Schmidt Science Fellows Program at the University Of British Columbia:

• Scholarship Sponsor: University Of British Columbia, Canada
• Scholarship Value: USD 100,000 per year
• Number of awards: Several
• Study level: Fellowship
• Host Institution(s): University Of British Columbia, Canada

Benefits:

The UBC Schmidt Science Fellowships offer several financial benefits to support fellows during their postdoctoral research and career development, including:

1. Stipend: Each fellow receives a substantial stipend of USD 100,000 per year. This stipend provides financial support for their full-time postdoctoral studies, typically lasting at least one year, allowing fellows to focus on their research and advance their scientific careers.
2. Postdoctoral Study: The fellowship provides fellows with an exceptional opportunity to conduct their postdoctoral research in a top-tier laboratory. Importantly, fellows can choose a research topic that is distinct from their current area of expertise. This multidisciplinary approach enables fellows to expand their knowledge, explore new scientific frontiers, and have a significant impact in their chosen field.
3. Residential Meetings: Throughout the fellowship year, fellows participate in a series of four residential meetings held around the world. Each meeting spans five weeks and serves as an intensive training program tailored to the specific needs of the fellows. These conferences offer comprehensive training to enhance their skills and nurture them into the next generation of scientific leaders. The residential meetings foster interaction between fellows and eminent experts in diverse scientific fields, as well as provide opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and networking.

Eligibility Criteria for UBC Schmidt Science Fellows Program:

To be eligible for nomination and potential selection as a Schmidt Science Fellow, candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. Completion of UBC Ph.D.: Candidates must have completed or expect to complete all requirements for the awarding of their UBC Ph.D. between June 1, 2023, and July 30, 2024, including a successful defense. Candidates planning to enroll at UBC are not eligible.
2. Graduate Degree in Relevant Fields: The focus of the candidate’s graduate studies must be in the natural sciences (Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Sciences), engineering, mathematics, or computing, including all sub-disciplines within these domains.
3. Availability for the Program: Candidates must be available from July 2024 to September 2025, covering the entire duration of the 2024 program. This includes participation in additional virtual programming and the Global Meeting Series, whether conducted virtually or in person, as circumstances allow.

The Schmidt Science Fellows program is committed to ensuring equitable opportunities for all applicants, regardless of various factors, including age, disability, gender, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy or motherhood, parenting status, marital status, civil partnership status, race, color, ethnic or national origin, nationality, religion, or belief.

Interview Process for UBC Schmidt Science Fellows Program:

The selection criteria and evaluation standards can be found on the Schmidt Science Fellows website. The UBC Schmidt Science Fellows program is looking for candidates who possess the following qualities:

• Top candidates in natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and computing with a strong desire to broaden their horizons, shift their focus from their Ph.D. research area, and engage in a challenging and fruitful period of study with leading researchers in a different field.
• Schmidt Science Fellows are encouraged and supported to take ambitious scientific risks when selecting a postdoctoral position. Their proposed research pivot should represent a genuine and creative disciplinary departure from their Ph.D. studies, aiming to establish field-leading interdisciplinary research lines with the potential for significant impact and recognition.
• Research placements are not limited to specific universities or institutions. Schmidt Science Fellows have the freedom to complete their fellowship at a laboratory of their choice, provided the host institution can match their specific training and research needs and the arrangement is approved. Candidates should consider the exceptional independence, flexibility, and global perspective this opportunity offers.
• Schmidt Science Fellows are expected to become leaders in science and should have a strong desire to leverage interdisciplinarity and engage with the public. Candidates must possess the determination to address some of the most pressing global issues and the charisma to inspire, motivate, and lead interdisciplinary collaborations that accelerate the pace of discovery and provide meaningful solutions.

Application Procedure for UBC Schmidt Science Fellows Program:

Candidates interested in applying for the UBC Schmidt Science Fellows Program must do so through their UBC graduate program. To find out the internal application deadline for their UBC graduate program, candidates should contact their program directly.

The complete application should include the following components:

1. CV with publications (three pages maximum)
2. Summary of your Ph.D. research (one page maximum)
3. Personal Statement (one page maximum):
   • Describe your leadership qualities, focusing on character and leadership traits (such as genuine and demonstrable potential for science leadership, perseverance, resilience, a strong moral compass, and a compelling personality) and your global ambition for social good (desire to utilize your skills and scientific expertise to make a positive impact on society and the world).
4. Fellowship Research Proposal (two pages maximum):
   • Describe your proposed direction for postdoctoral research, highlighting a sincere, ambitious, and creative disciplinary departure from your Ph.D. studies. The clear aim of this research should be to acquire new skills in a different field and establish field-leading interdisciplinary research lines with the potential for substantial impact.
   • Address two specific points in your proposal: alignment with the Schmidt Science Fellows program (including the intention to pursue 12–24 months of postdoctoral study in a field different from your Ph.D. discipline and the belief in the importance of interdisciplinary science and taking appropriate scientific risks) and a collaborative spirit (demonstrated history of successful collaboration with diverse team members).
5. Options for positioning (up to one page):
   • Provide brief summaries of three potential laboratories where you might conduct your postdoctoral research. It’s important to note that you are not required to contact these labs or secure a position at this stage, and your choices are not binding.
6. One letter of support (up to two pages): The letter should ideally be signed and on letterhead if possible. It should address the evaluation criteria and focus on the candidate’s potential for the future rather than just their current skills.

Selected UBC nominees will be invited to submit a full application in June.

Document presentation standards: 10

Please visit the Schmidt Science Fellows website for more details on the organization. The website’s FAQ section could have the response to your query. Please get in touch with Bree Wilson for more details. You can also visit the official website for further details.

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