Wall Research Awards (Master’s & PhD students)

Wall Research Awards (Master’s and PhD students)

Graduate awards, ranging in value from $25,000 (Master’s) to $30,000 (PhD), are available annually through the Peter Wall Legacy Fund, an endowment established by Dr. Peter Wall, to support research excellence at UBC and invest in those who will help move BC and the world forward. These awards are intended to enable students to complete their degree and support thesis/dissertation research in one of three areas of interest: 

  • Sustainable approaches to and development of the general urban environment, including water, energy, and transportation infrastructure in British Columbia. 
  • Environmental protection of oceans, beaches, and waterfronts that impact British Columbia.
  • Sustainable approaches to resource-intensive industry in British Columbia.

Projects within these areas will principally relate to British Columbia but may also apply to other Canadian and international regions.

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Key dates

  • Applications open: January 27, 2026
  • Application deadline: March 31, 2026, 4:00 pm PT
  • Award term begins: September 1, 2026

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Eligibility

  • Master’s students in their 2nd or 3rd year
  • PhD students in their 5th or 6th year
  • Awards are intended to enable completion of degree
  • Master’s awards: up to 12 months or until program completion, whichever comes first
  • Doctoral awards: up to 24 months or until program completion, whichever comes first

Application process

Applicants must submit a complete application package by March 31, 2026, 4:00 PM PT. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

A complete application consists of:

Submitted by applicant:

  • Completed application form
  • Outline of proposed research (max 2 pages + 1 page references)

Submitted by supervisor:

  • Letter of support (signed, on institutional letterhead) 

Applicants are responsible for ensuring all materials are received by the deadline. 

Apply

Evaluation criteria

Applications will be evaluated as follows: 

  • Research proposal (90%)
    • Clear research objectives 
    • Justification and description of methods 
    • Dissemination plan 
    • Current progress and preliminary results 
    • Feasibility and plan for completion
  • Supervisor’s letter (10%)
    • Quality and impact of research 
    • Likelihood of completion 

Additional information

  • Adjudication by UBC faculty committee 
  • Contact: graduate.awards@ubc.ca 

Timeline

  • March 31, 2026 – Application deadline 
  • Mid to late June 2026 – Applicants notified 
  • September 1, 2026 – Award term begins 

“I aspire to be at the forefront of developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure, helping to shape a safer and more sustainable future for generations to come. The Wall Research Award will help me get there.”

– Usmita Adhikari, 2024 award recipient

Areas of interest

The Wall Research Awards (Master’s and PhD students) are awarded to graduate students whose thesis/dissertation research relates to one of three areas:

  • Sustainable approaches to and development of the general urban environment, including water, energy and transportation infrastructure in British Columbia;
  • Environmental protection of oceans, beaches and waterfronts that impact British Columbia; and
  • Sustainable approaches to resource-intensive industry in British Columbia.

Projects within these areas of interest will principally relate to British Columbia, but may also apply to and address other Canadian and international regions.