Details for the 2026 - 2027 Solutions Scholar Program have been updated! See below for details on how to apply.
If you are curious about the program, please sign up for the information session. Note that all who register will receive a summary of the session:
Information Session | Monday May 4, 2026 | 4-5pm PST | Zoom Registration
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2026-2027 Program Description
The Solutions Scholars program sponsors existing UBC Masters and PhD students to apply their scholarly research skills to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and/or education. In 2026-2027, successful Solutions Scholars will work on one or more subject areas as part of the Future Canada Initiative.
The Future Canada Initiative (the Initiative) brings together teams of UBC faculty (see our call for faculty participation here) and graduate students through the Solutions Scholar program to co-develop a multi-sector assessment report. Each team will produce a chapter assessing national pathways to a prosperous low-carbon future across one key sector, activity and/or theme. These chapters will be assembled within a report which will provide a broad view the opportunities available in Canada.
The following subject areas are expected to be included in the 2026-2027 report; the initiative may expand to include additional sectors in future years:.
- Passenger transportation (electric vehicles, public transit, etc)
- Medium and heavy-duty transportation
- Buildings (heating and cooling, efficiency)
- Forestry and Agriculture
- Clean power (electricity generation and transmission)
- Heavy industry including oil and gas
Each chapter will identify a vision for the future for the sector or area, an assessment of current actions, policies and technologies, the current obstacles to accelerated action, recommended actions, and pressing gaps and research needs.
Cross-cutting themes including justice, finance, material demands and health implications will be addressed within individual chapters. Students with expertise in cross-cutting themes in relation to the chapters are invited to apply.
Role of the Solutions Scholars
The Solutions Scholars will work with the author teams to conduct background research and prepare the report. Their responsibilities may vary somewhat by subject area based on their expertise, but is expected to include:
- Research and literature review of relevant sector information;
- Participation in sector-relevant convening sessions hosted by the Climate Solutions Research Collective;
- Summarization of expert dialogue; and
- Synthesis of data and report writing.
As a fellowship-style program, Solutions Scholars will also participate in professional development opportunities as a cohort, such as team training and networking.
Term
12 months (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027)
Stipend
Awarded Solutions Scholars will receive a $12,000 stipend in the form of a GRA as they work towards the objectives of the Future Canada Initiative. As a research initiative, time allocations may vary from week to week. To provide a rough scope of commitment, applicants can estimate that the project will require approximately 280 hours over the course of the twelve-month term.
Eligibility
Applicants must be Masters or PhD students at UBC Vancouver or UBC Okanagan. Applicants must be registered in a UBC program as of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
Application
Prospective Solutions Scholars must submit an application form. Applicants are encouraged to think broadly about how their research and expertise can fit within these chapter topics as well as how their expertise relates to those required by subject (see below).
The deadline for application to the 2025/26 program is Sunday May 17, 2026 at 11:59pm.
Requirements for all Funded Students
Successful applicants should expect to:
- attend regular (i.e. biweekly) project meetings with team members and mentors
- contribute to completion of the chapter on time
- participate in training and networking opportunities
- participate in the Climate Solutions Research Collective’s seminars and workshop(s)
- complete a questionnaire at the end of their involvement as part of the assessment of this new initiative
Evaluation Criteria for Applicants
General Criteria
- Demonstrated commitment to climate change research
- Demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary research and evidence of collaborative research experience,
- Quality and fit for the Future Canada Initiative, including interdisciplinary objectives for the projects.
- Ability to communicate well in writing and/or in producing visual aids (graphs, illustrations)
- Excellence of the candidate, based on past accomplishments and future potential.
- Commitment to participate in Climate Solutions Research Collective activities.
- Consideration will be given to equity, diversity and inclusion, as well representation across a diversity of disciplines
Sector Criteria
In addition to the general criteria for all applicants, the following provides additional guidance for skills by sector.
Application Procedure
Applications consist of the following three components:
Applications consist of the following three components:
- An Application Form outlining the individual's interest in the Solutions Scholars program, the research competencies which they can contribute to the projects, their specific experience working in teams, and their ranking of projects.
- A CV (maximum four pages) which should be in an academic style, list relevant professional experiences, skills, coursework, and publications. The CV must be named as follows: LastName_FirstName_SolutionsCV.pdf and uploaded into the Application Form.
- Confirmation from the applicant’s research supervisor of their support of the application through email response to an automated request.
Adjudication Procedures
The applications will be reviewed by a cross-faculty committee. Funding decisions will be announced in June for a July start date. For questions about the Climate Solutions Research Collective and the Solutions Scholars program, contact climate.collective@ubc.ca.
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