EDI.I based awards offered by the Faculty of Applied Science.
Awards and Grants for Faculty and Staff
1. EDI.I Classroom Funding
We are pleased to continue with this unique funding opportunity: The Faculty is providing funding for up to $800 per course to support you in bringing EDI, anti-racism and Indigeneity to your teaching and learning.
This funding is intended to ensure you have the support you need, as we strive to bring a diversity of voices to our classrooms for more engaging and inclusive environments. The need to incorporate innovative activities to promote an engaging and inclusive culture is key to our Strategic Plan, and central to the priority area of Inclusive Leadership & Respectful Engagement.
Eligibility
All current APSC sessional lecturers, instructors and faculty may submit a request for this funding through an online Qualtrics survey.
All applicants will be asked to complete a post activity survey which is designed to capture some high-level reflections on the value provided to the course and the students, and how the learnings may be embedded in the course in future, or how it may be extended in future courses. Individuals may apply for more than one course, but priority will be given to first time applicants.
Application
Please carefully review the following two documents before applying:
(1) Funding APSC Strategic Plan Priority Area Inclusive Leadership
(2) UBC Indigenous Finance Guidelines
We will be reviewing submissions on a weekly basis and will continue to accept applications until the funding has been distributed.
2. Inclusion and Belonging Award
Note: This award is offered in alternate years. The next cycle of this award is now open to faculty and staff.
An annual award of $2,000 has been made available through a donation from Dr. Katherina Tarnai-Lokhorst (BASc, MBA, DSocSci, P.Eng) to recognize faculty or staff members in the Faculty of Applied Science who demonstrate leadership and sustainable practice in fostering inclusion and belonging in engineering education. Dr. Tarnai-Lokhorst is a Fellow of Engineers Canada and honorary Fellow of Geoscience Canada in recognition of her decades of work as an advocate for inclusion and belonging in engineering. As project manager, adjunct professor, Board member and past president of Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia, Dr. Tarnai-Lokhorst provides pragmatic recommendations on regulations and EDI strategies that effect positive change.
Award is open to faculty and staff at UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses and will be assigned on recommendation from the Faculty of Applied Science.
Eligibility:
- Faculty or staff member at UBC Applied Science or UBCO School of Engineering
- Demonstrated leadership and sustainable practice in fostering inclusion and belonging in Engineering education.
- Deadline for submitting applications was 12:00pm PST on March 18, 2024. Please check back for future updates.
Undergraduate Student Awards
1. Claudette McKay-Lassonde Excellence Scholarship
The Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Excellence Scholarship is a Canada-wide annual award of $25,000 to support women in their second or third year of undergraduate engineering studies in Canada.
Created thanks to a generous donation from the Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation (CEMF) and in tribute to the memory of CEMF founder Claudette MacKay-Lassonde, this scholarship embodies the values of leadership, academic excellence and community engagement espoused by the CEMF for more than 30 years. By providing financial support to exceptional female students, this initiative is helping to inspire the next generation of women engineers and encourage the aspirations of exceptional, committed young women.
The Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Excellence Scholarship will be awarded every year in August during the Folie Technique summer camp, which is designed to give young people opportunities to explore the worlds of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through creative, interactive and accessible activities.
Deadline: The application period for 2025 will open soon, and the scholarship will be awarded in August 2025. Please check back for future updates.
Eligibility and How to Apply
Candidates for the Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Excellence Scholarship must meet the following criteria:
- Identify as a woman;
Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
Be enrolled in the second or third year of an undergraduate engineering program at a Canadian university;
Demonstrate leadership, academic excellence and a significant involvement in her community;
The scholarship winner must agree to return to her high school every year to share her story
Women students interested in finding out more about the application process are invited to complete this form (.pdf).
Claudette-MacKay- Lassonde Excellence Scholarship
2. Order of the White Rose
The Order of the White Rose scholarship is open to women in engineering and graduates of any engineering undergraduate program who are planning to pursue an MASc or PhD in engineering.
Amount: $50,000
Deadline: June 17, 2025, at 15:00 (3:00 pm) Pacific Standard Time (PST).
Eligibility and How to Apply
To be eligible for the scholarship, the candidate must, as of the application submission deadline at her home institution, be:
- Self-identify as a woman;
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- Be a graduate of an engineering program at a Canadian university and have completed her bachelor's degree in December 2024, or be in the process of completing it in May or August 2025;
- Have enrolled, or in the process of enrolling, in a graduate studies program in engineering (master’s or PhD) to begin the year after receiving her bachelor’s degree. As of June 17, 2025, the candidate must send proof of enrolment to orderwhiterose@polymtl.ca.
How to apply:
The candidate’s submission (written in French or English) must contain, in the following order:
- The identification form (.pdf)
- A letter of motivation detailing, among other things, the candidate’s aspirations and what the scholarship will allow her to accomplish (400 words max.);
- A curriculum vitae: the candidate must explain the precise role she played in any published research; likewise, she must describe her contributions to any project or initiative she has taken part in, so that the selection committee members can properly understand her involvement and role;
- A detailed description of achievements and social engagements (maximum 700 words),
- The most recent official transcript with the mention of the final mark;
- An official proof of enrolment in a graduate studies program (master’s or PhD)
- A letter of support signed by a person in authority at the candidate’s home institution (e.g., professor, dean, department head);
- Any other document deemed relevant. (700 words max.)
Electronic applications must be submitted via email to ea.assist@apsc.ubc.ca with the subject line: Order of the White Rose – [Last name, first name]: Note: To be fair to all students, late applications cannot be accepted.
This scholarship’s highly symbolic nature means that it benefits from extensive cross-Canada media coverage. The recipient is expected to be available for that purpose. The Polytechnique Montréal Communications and Public Relations service provides coaching ahead of the award ceremony to help the recipients feel more comfortable speaking with media present.
New Information for the 2025 Cycle:
1. A larger number of scholarships will be awarded to increase financial and academic opportunities for students who identify as women.
2. Leadership development support will enable laureates to strengthen their competencies and confidence to become agents of change in engineering and beyond.
3. A broader selection process will allow universities to nominate between 1 and 3 candidates.
3. Kimberley B.C. Poole Family Entrance Award in Engineering for Indigenous Students
Two awards of $10,000 each have been made available annually through a gift from Dr. William (Bill) Poole (B.A.Sc. 1949) for First Nations, Inuit or Métis students of Canada entering their first year of a Bachelor of Applied Science program at the Vancouver campus. Preference will be given to prospective students who are from British Columbia or Yukon.
Entrance Award for Incoming Students
Eligibility:
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis student of Canada
- Incoming students entering the BASc program at UBC
- This award is for prospective Applied Science students who have applied to begin their studies in September 2024. Those who have already applied do not need to reapply.
- Deadline for submitting applications was April 15, 2024. Please check back for future updates.
4. APSC Awards for Indigenous Students
Awards valued at up to $10,000 each, have been made available annually by the Faculty of Applied Science for current and prospective First Nations, Inuit or Métis students of Canada in the Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) program.
The awards are made on the recommendation of the Faculty of Applied Science for Indigenous students who demonstrate financial need, community involvement and leadership skills.
a) Entrance Award for Incoming Students
Eligibility:
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis student of Canada
- Incoming students entering the BASc program at UBC
- This award is for prospective Applied Science students who have applied to begin their studies in September 2025. Those who have already applied do not need to reapply.
b) Award for Current Students
Eligibility:
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis student of Canada
- Students currently enrolled in the BASc program at UBC
- Applications for 2025 are now open.
- The deadline for submitting applications is March 31 at 11:59 PM PST, 2025.
5. LAPORTE Award for BASc Students
A $5,000 award has been made available annually through a gift from LAPORTE Engineering Inc. for a Bachelor of Applied Science student majoring in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering who has achieved good academic standing. Preference will be given to students who are from communities that have been historically, persistently and systemically discriminated against. LAPORTE Engineering Inc. provides engineering services to pharmaceutical, agrifood and bioindustrial facilities.
LAPORTE Engineering Inc. hopes this award will help increase equity, diversity and inclusion in engineering.
The award is made on the recommendation of the Faculty of Applied Science.
Eligibility:
- Current students in the BASc program at UBC
- Majoring in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering
- Achieved good academic standing
Award Deadline: Was December 7, 2024 at 5:00pm (PST). Please check back for future updates.
6. GHD Foundation Award for Diversity in Engineering
The GHD Foundation Award of $2500 will be presented to a third-year Bachelor of Applied Science student in any Engineering discipline who are in need of financial assistance and are from communities that have been historically, persistently, and systemically marginalized.
Established in 1928, GHD is a global network of multi-disciplinary professionals providing clients with integrated solutions through engineering, environmental, design, and construction expertise.
The awards are made on the recommendation of the Faculty of Applied Science.
Eligibility:
- Third year student majoring in Engineering.
- Be in good academic standing.
Award Deadline: Was December 7, 2024 at 4:00pm (PST). Please check back for future updates.
7. GHD Foundation Award in Engineering for Indigenous Students.
An Award of $3,125 has been made available annually through a gift from GHD Foundation for First Nations, Inuit, or Metis students of Canada in second, third, or fourth year of the Bachelor of Applied Science program. Preference will be given to students who are in third year and demonstrate financial need. Established in 1928, GHD is a global network of multi-disciplinary professionals providing clients with integrated solutions through engineering, environmental, design, and construction expertise. In 2020, the GHD Foundation was established with a focus on promoting equitable access to science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education. The foundation aims to foster a more diverse workforce, promote diversity and expand access for underrepresented individuals in these fields. The awards are made on the recommendation of the Faculty of Applied Science.
Eligibility:
- First Nations, Inuit or Métis student of Canada students
- Second-, Third- or Fourth-year student majoring in Engineering.
- Demonstrate Financial need.
The deadline for submitting applications is March 31 at 11:59 PM PST, 2025.
Graduate Student Awards
1. Order of the White Rose
The Order of the White Rose scholarship is open to women in engineering and graduates of any engineering undergraduate program who are planning to pursue an MASc or PhD in engineering.
Amount: $50,000
Deadline: June 17, 2025, at 15:00 (3:00 pm) Pacific Standard Time (PST).
Eligibility and How to Apply
To be eligible for the scholarship, the candidate must, as of the application submission deadline at her home institution (June 17, 2025 at 15:00 PST), be:
- Self-identify as a woman;
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- Be a graduate of an undergraduate engineering program at a Canadian university and have completed her bachelor's degree in December 2024, or be in the process of completing it in May or August 2025;
- Have enrolled, or in the process of enrolling, in a graduate studies program in engineering (master’s or PhD) to begin the year after receiving her bachelor’s degree. As of June 17, 2025, the candidate must send proof of enrolment to orderwhiterose@polymtl.ca.
How to apply:
- The identification form (.pdf)
- A letter of motivation detailing, among other things, the candidate’s aspirations and what the scholarship will allow her to accomplish (400 words max.);
- A curriculum vitae: the candidate must explain the precise role she played in any published research; likewise, she must describe her contributions to any project or initiative she has taken part in, so that the selection committee members can properly understand her involvement and role;
- A detailed description of achievements and social engagements (maximum 700 words),
- The most recent official transcript with the mention of the final mark;
- An official proof of enrolment in a graduate studies program (master’s or PhD)
- A letter of support signed by a person in authority at the candidate’s home institution (e.g., professor, dean, department head);
- Any other document deemed relevant. (700 words max.)
- For application forms and details, visit: orderwhiterose.org
- Electronic applications must be submitted via email to ea.assist@apsc.ubc.ca with the subject line: Order of the White Rose – [Last name, first name]: Note: To be fair to all students, late applications cannot be accepted.
- As of June 30, 2025, the candidate must send proof of enrolment to orderwhiterose@polymtl.ca.
This scholarship’s highly symbolic nature means that it benefits from extensive cross-Canada media coverage. The recipient is expected to be available for that purpose. The Polytechnique Montréal Communications and Public Relations service provides coaching ahead of the award ceremony to help the recipients feel more comfortable speaking with media present.
New Information for the 2025 Cycle:
1. A larger number of scholarships will be awarded to increase financial and academic opportunities for students who identify as women.
2. Leadership development support will enable laureates to strengthen their competencies and confidence to become agents of change in engineering and beyond.
3. A broader selection process will allow universities to nominate between 1 and 3 candidates.
2. Fellowship for domestic PhD applicants who identify as Canadian Indigenous* or Black
*For the purposes of this Fellowship, an Indigenous person is a person who self-identifies as First Nations (Status/Non-Status), Métis, or Inuit as defined in the Canadian Constitution Act 1982.
The Faculty of Applied Science, UBC is committed to increasing the diversity of Canadian workforce by increasing the diversity of Applied Science faculty and industry. As part of the faculty’s efforts to encourage, mentor, support and enhance the preparation of tomorrow’s diverse leaders, the faculty created the IBET Momentum Fellowship. The next opening for this fellowship will be in 2026.
Awards for Both Undergraduate and Graduate Students
1. Inclusion and Belonging Award
An annual award of $2,000 has been made available through a donation from Dr. Katherina Tarnai-Lokhorst (BASc, MBA, DSocSci, P.Eng) to recognize engineering students in the Faculty of Applied Science who demonstrate leadership and sustainable practice in fostering inclusion and belonging in engineering education.
Dr. Tarnai-Lokhorst is a Fellow of Engineers Canada and honorary Fellow of Geoscience Canada in recognition of her decades of work as an advocate for inclusion and belonging in engineering. As project manager, adjunct professor, Board member and past president of Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia, Dr. Tarnai-Lokhorst provides pragmatic recommendations on regulations and EDI strategies that effect positive change.
Award is open to Engineering students at UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses and will be assigned on recommendation from the Faculty of Applied Science.
Eligibility:
- Engineering students in UBC Applied Science or UBCO School of Engineering
- Demonstrated leadership and sustainable practice in fostering inclusion and belonging in Engineering education
Important Dates:
- Applications will open March 1, 2025 at 12:00 AM PST.
Deadline for submitting applications is on March 23, 2025, 11:59 PM PST.
If you require further information, or have questions about EDI.I awards, please contact Areeba Asif, EDI.I program coordinator at areebaamreen.asif@ubc.ca , or the APSC EDI.I Office ea.assist@apsc.ubc.ca.