The following funding opportunity is for students who meet all the following criteria (1) belong to an equity-denied community (2) demonstrate financial need AND (3) are BC/Yukon residents living outside Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley (also known as the Lower Mainland). See full eligibility details below. 

Students in the Greater Vancouver/Fraser Valley region may be eligible for the BC Children's Hospital Summer Studentship. 


The Rising Scholars Undergraduate Summer Studentship is dedicated to creating more inclusive opportunities in child health research. This program provides funding and hands-on research experience to undergraduate students from equity-denied communities who may not otherwise have the means or access to participate in summer research placements. | Program Poster

Program Overview

This 8-week summer studentship aims to support the next generation of researchers who are passionate about making an impact in the field of child health. This program includes:   

  • Funding: A salary stipend as well as support for travel and living expenses in Vancouver, BC from Monday, June 1, 2026 to Friday, July 31, 2026
  • Research Experience: Direct involvement in an assigned research project focused on advancing child health research
  • Professional Development: Access to skill-building workshops, networking, special events and other resources aimed at building research and leadership skills
  • Mentorship: Guidance from world-class researchers in the field of child health

No previous research experience is required. All necessary training will be provided. 

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for funding you must:

  • Self-identify as a member of an equity-denied community that has faced collective barriers in accessing opportunities and resources
  • Demonstrate the necessity for need-based funding to access the training and resources necessary to achieve your educational goals
  • Be a registered resident of BC or the Yukon who—when not attending university—would typically be living outside the Metro Vancouver/Fraser Valley (also known as the Lower Mainland) region during the summer months | More Information
  • Be a current undergraduate student at a Canadian or international post-secondary institution at the time of application (Grade 12 students beginning post-secondary school in Fall 2026 are not eligible)
  • Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or international student with a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) issued from Service Canada and eligible to work in Canada 
  • Be available to live in Vancouver and work full-time from June 1 to July 31, 2026
  • Show an interest in pursuing a career related to child health research
Who is not eligible to apply?

You're not eligible to apply for the Rising Scholars Undergraduate Summer Studentship if:

  • You are not a registered resident of BC or Yukon. You must have a permanent home address in BC or Yukon
     
  • You typically live in the Greater Vancouver or Fraser Valley during the summer when not attending university. This program is not for individuals that live locally to BC Children's Hospital Research Institute.  If you return home during the summer to live in or near any of the following cities, you are NOT eligible to apply for this award: Abbotsford, Anmore, Bowen Island, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Delta, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope, Ladner, Langley, Lions Bay, Maple Ridge, Mission, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Tsawwassen, Vancouver, West Vancouver or White Rock
     
  • You are a current grade 12 student, medical student or a graduate student at the time of application. Only current undergraduate students are eligible to apply
     
  • You do not self-identify as a member of an equity-denied community – the program is specifically for students from communities that face systemic barriers to accessing education opportunities due to structural discrimination, marginalization, or exclusion
     
  • You're planning to apply for the BCCHR Summer Studentship. Applicants may apply to EITHER the BCCHR Summer Studentship OR the Rising Scholars Undergraduate Summer Studentship (not both)

Applicants may apply to EITHER the BCCHR Summer Studentship OR the Rising Scholars Undergraduate Summer Studentship. Those who apply for the Rising Scholars Undergraduate Summer Studentship may not also submit an application for the BCCHR Summer Studentship.

Submitting your Application

The deadline for submitting a complete application is Monday, December 1, 2025 before 11:59 pm PST.

To apply, follow the steps below:

  1. Review the 2026 Rising Scholars Undergraduate Summer Studentship Guidelines 

  2. Submit your application online: https://bcchr.slideroom.com/

Questions

Questions? Contact resinfo@bcchr.ca or review the FAQ below.

Students from the Greater Vancouver/Fraser Valley region are not eligible to apply to the Rising Scholars Undergraduate Summer Studentship but may be eligible for the BC Children's Hospital Summer Studentship. 

FAQ

What does it mean to be a resident living outside Greater Vancouver/Fraser Valley?
During the summer months, when you’re NOT attending university, your primary residence must be OUTSIDE the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions.

If you return home during the summer to live in or near any of the following cities, you are NOT eligible to apply for this award:

  • Abbotsford
  • Anmore
  • Bowen Island
  • Burnaby
  • Chilliwack
  • Coquitlam
  • Delta
  • Harrison Hot Springs
  • Hope
  • Ladner
  • Langley
  • Lions Bay
  • Maple Ridge
  • Mission
  • New Westminster
  • North Vancouver
  • Pitt Meadows
  • Port Coquitlam
  • Port Moody
  • Richmond
  • Surrey
  • Tsawwassen
  • Vancouver
  • West Vancouver
  • White Rock

How do I know if I self-identify as a member of an equity-denied community?
If you recognize yourself as part of a community that has experienced systemic discrimination, exclusion, or unequal access to opportunities—especially in education—you may be eligible to apply. Examples of equity-denied communities include those marginalized based on indigeneity, race, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, sexual or romantic identity, nationality, or socioeconomic status. This may reflect, but isn't limited to: 

  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Racialized groups (people of colour)
  • 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals
  • Recent immigrants from countries in crisis
  • Students from remote or northern communities

To qualify for funding, you must also demonstrate financial need for accessing the training and resources necessary to achieve your educational goals. The application will ask you to speak about your lived experiences as part of the assessment process. Priority for one of the two Rising Scholars Undergraduate Summer Student positions will be given to a student who self-identifies as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis.

What does the research project placement involve?
The Rising Scholars Undergraduate Summer Studentship recipients will be assigned to a research project running between June and July. Details about available projects can be found in the appendix of the application guidelines. While you may indicate your project preferences, placement on a specific project cannot be guaranteed.

Can I apply if I live in the Greater Vancouver or Fraser Valley area during the summer? No. This studentship is intended to support students who do not live in the Greater Vancouver or Fraser Valley region during the summer months. To be eligible, you must typically reside outside this region when not attending university.

I'm an international student — am I eligible to apply? Yes, international students may apply if they:

  • Are a registered resident of BC or Yukon who typically lives outside the Greater Vancouver/Fraser Valley area in the summer;
  • Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) issued by Service Canada;
  • Are legally eligible to work in Canada


Do I need to be a student at a BC university to apply? No. You may attend any Canadian or international post-secondary institution. However, you must be a registered resident of BC or Yukon and typically live outside the Greater Vancouver/Fraser Valley region during the summer months.

What does it mean to be a registered resident of BC or Yukon? Being a registered resident means you legally reside in BC or Yukon. This typically includes:

  • Having a permanent home address in BC or Yukon (even if you study elsewhere during the year);
  • Possessing government-issued ID, a driver’s license, or tax documents showing your BC or Yukon residence;
  • Being enrolled in the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) or the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan


Where will the Rising Scholars recipients be staying? Recipients will live in a private room at UBC's Summer Residence (specific building TBA). Learn more about living at UBC. 

How many hours a week will I be expected to work? You’ll work full-time: 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday, 7.5 hours per day) from June 1 to July 31, 2026. You will not be expected to work weekends or statutory holidays.

Are meals and other living expenses included? Housing is provided, but meals are not included. You will receive a student stipend of $6,000 to help cover meals and other personal living expenses.