Overview
This program is led by the UBC AI and Health Network in partnership with Michael Smith Health Research BC, the BC Cancer Foundation and Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub.
The UBC AI and Health Network Fellows Program aims to enhance the delivery of advanced training and mentorship to cultivate future leaders who will drive innovation and transformation in healthcare through artificial intelligence. The goal is to empower principal investigators (PIs) to recruit, mentor and support postdoctoral fellows conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of artificial intelligence and health.
PIs are responsible for identifying and selecting a qualified postdoctoral fellow to carry out the proposed research or activity. Funded fellows are expected to engage in projects that align with one or more of the UBC AI and Health Network’s core focus areas, encapsulated in two pillars and three themes:
- Pillar 1: Clinical Practice and Patient Experience
- Pillar 2: Biomedical Innovation and Translational Sciences
- Theme 1: Data Sharing and Privacy
- Theme 2: End-user Acceptance of AI in Healthcare
- Theme 3: Province-wide Education, Training and UpskillingTeams can request up to $500,000 over three years to undertake research activities
The program currently offers three streams:
- A general stream focused on AI and health;
- A cancer-specific stream, generously funded by the BC Cancer Foundation, that supports research at the intersection of AI, cancer biology and oncology;
- A stream focused on Theme 3: Province-wide education, training and upskilling will also be strongly welcomed for this cycle and can include hiring a teaching fellow to develop educational modules.
In addition to the above streams, please note:
Applications from early career researchers (ECRs) within the first five years of faculty appointment are strongly encouraged and will receive additional consideration during the evaluation process.
The UBC AI and Health Network is committed to reducing systemic barriers in our research program experienced by under-represented groups. The Network is embedding equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) considerations into the application requirements and selection criteria of its funding opportunities and will adapt NSERC’s guiding principles on integrating EDI considerations into research.
Deadline: Applications are due by 12:00 pm PT (noon) on July 7, 2026.
Award terms
- The award is intended for principal investigators (PIs) located on the UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan campuses and affiliated hospital sites.
- It is a one-year award
- The award is valued at $100,000.
- The awards must be used to support the salary/stipend of a postdoctoral fellow, or trainee to complete work specifically on the proposed project.
- If the PI determines that a graduate student would better support the project’s progress, the funds may be used in this way. However, priority will be given to applications supporting postdoctoral fellows/research associates.
- The PI is responsible for selecting the fellow, who does not need to be a new hire.
- If the fellow’s stipend exceeds the award amount, it is the PI’s responsibility to secure additional funding to cover the difference.
- The award is designed to support the PI in preparing a submission for a multi-year grant.
- The award is not automatically renewed. However, both the PI and the funded fellow are eligible to reapply in future rounds of funding through this program.
Eligibility
The applicant PI must:
- Be engaged in activities directly related to the focus areas of the UBC AI and Health Network, with alignment to at least one of the Network’s pillars or themes.
- Proposed projects are not limited to research.
- This year, the Network will prioritize applications based on the education theme and can include hiring a teaching fellow to develop educational modules.
- Have a Full-time Faculty or Clinical Faculty appointment at The University of British Columbia (UBC; at UBC Vancouver, UBC Okanagan, or an affiliated hospital site). Eligible appointments* include:
- Assistant Professor (or higher), full time, research or teaching stream
- Assistant Professor (or higher), Partner
- Clinical Assistant Professor (or higher)
- *Other UBC faculty appointments may also be considered.
- For the cancer-specific stream, in addition to an eligible UBC faculty appointment, applicant PIs must have a BC Cancer appointment.
- Applicants can submit a single application as a group of two or more UBC PIs to fund one fellow.
- The funded fellow must be supervised or co-supervised by the applicant PI.
- Applicants can select a stream at the application stage; the proper allocation will be determined during the evaluation process to ensure the funding is allocated based on scientific merit.
How to apply
Applications to this funding competition are coordinated by UBC AI and Health Network.
Apply here-
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