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Faculty of Graduate Studies

Sara Spencer Foundation Graduate Scholarship

One or more scholarships, to a maximum of $3,000 each, are awarded to academically outstanding graduate students who are doing research in applied social sciences focusing on cultural, environmental, or social studies within/encompassing the Capital Regional District (CRD). The scholarship is meant to assist with the costs of research. Students must submit an outline of their research project, a CV and a letter in support of their research from their graduate supervisor/advisor.  Selection of the recipients will be made by the Faculty of Graduate Studies Graduate Awards Committee.

The CRD is defined as: Victoria, Saanich, Esquimalt, Oak Bay, View Royal, Colwood, Langford, Highlands, Metchosin, Sooke, Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sidney and the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area, the Salt Spring Island Electoral Area, and the Southern Gulf Islands Electoral Area. The traditional territories of many First Nations span portions of the region and 11 of those Nations hold reserve lands throughout the capital region.

Amount

up to $3,000

Application deadline

Closed for 2026. Applications will open in early 2027.

Eligibility

  • Current UVic graduate students (both domestic and international).
  • You must be in full time studies in a Master’s or Doctoral program. Full time means you are either (a) registered in a minimum of 3.0 units per term; or (b) registered in a minimum of 1.5 units per term and provide our office with a reduced course load letter from the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL).
  • You must have a minimum GPA of 6.0 on UVic’s 9.0 scale.

You do not need to be in the Faculty of Social Sciences to be eligible:  we accept applications from all faculties.  Applicants should demonstrate how their project aligns with the focus of the award.

How to apply

Email your application documents to fgsgradawards@uvic.ca by the application deadline.  Please include the words “Sara Spencer Scholarship” in the email subject line and ensure all of your documents include your name and student number.

Learn more in this 5-minute recorded presentation How to Apply for the Sara Spencer Scholarship and transcript

Prepare an outline of your research project that is maximum 2 pages (text in excess of this limit will not be forwarded for review).  The outline must include:
  • short project title
  • your project objectives and their theoretical and/or practical significance
  • description of your methodology
  • explanation of how your research in applied social sciences focuses on cultural, environmental, or social studies within or encompassing the CRD
  • your research plan with a schedule of activities including project start and end dates (and the percentage complete as of your application to this award)
  • brief outline of costs associated with your research project

Provide a CV that is maximum 2 pages (text in excess of this limit will not be forwarded for review).  Your CV should include relevant educational and professional experience, including publications, certificates, achievements, and community engagement.

Provide a signed letter from your Graduate Supervisor or Graduate Advisor supporting your research. If your supervisor prefers to submit their letter directly to the Faculty of Graduate Studies they can email it to fgsgradawards@uvic.ca

If applicable, include a description of permits, licences, or ethics approvals obtained for your project. If you have not yet received the necessary approvals for your project, please include a signed statement that all such approvals will be obtained prior to beginning the relevant research activities.

 For more information about this award please contact fgsaward2@uvic.ca

Retaining funding

Ongoing UVic graduate funding requires students to maintain a minimum level of academic standing and some ongoing maintenance.