Faculty of ArtCentre for Asian Canadian Research & Engagement Graduate Fellows Program 2025-26 – Call for Applications
What is the ACRE Graduate Fellows Program?
The Centre for Asian Canadian Research and Engagement is pleased to announce the ACRE Graduate Fellows Program. Building on two pilot rounds of the ACRE Graduate Student Travel Fund (2023-25), the ACRE Graduate Fellows Program seeks to bring together an inaugural cohort of up to 5 UBC graduate students whose research interests are in Asian Canadian and Asian diaspora studies. We encourage applications from graduate students whose work critically examines and expands the scope of Asian Canadian studies, especially from equity, interdisciplinary, and intersectional perspectives. Along with supporting individual fellows, this program is also meant to be a space of community, gathering and peer support, and a forum for collective discussion of issues of significance in Asian Canadian studies and for Asian Canadian communities within and beyond the university.
The 2025-26 ACRE Graduate Fellows Program will run from October 15, 2025 to June 30, 2026. In addition to receiving a stipend and access to bookable desk space, ACRE Graduate Fellows will also be able to access support and mentorship from ACRE faculty members and other fellows during the fellowship year. Fellows will also participate in a curated monthly program developed specifically for ACRE Graduate Fellows. Depending on the makeup and interests of the cohort, the program may include: professional development workshops, public talks, field trips, social events, research showcases, and peer mentorship activities.
About ACRE: A Faculty of Arts research centre, ACRE was created in March 2022 with a mission to nurture and facilitate Asian Canadian scholarship at UBC, as well as the pursuit and sustenance of ethical, reciprocal and meaningful relationships between UBC scholars and Asian Canadian community partners. Members of the ACRE community come from diverse units in the Faculty of Arts, including but not limited to English, Geography, History, Music, the Social Justice Institute, Sociology, and Theatre and Film. We work closely with existing units and groups such as the Asian Canadian & Asian Migration Studies program (ACAM) to build capacity and infrastructure to support and amplify the diverse work of our faculty, students, alumni and community members. We would like to thank ACAM for hosting our content while we work on building our own website.
Who is eligible to apply?
Master’s and doctoral students enrolled at UBC for the 2025-26 academic year are eligible to apply. For the inaugural cohort of ACRE Graduate Fellows, we will prioritize applications from the following groups:
- UBC graduate students from historically, persistently, and systemically marginalized (HPSM) groups
- Scholars whose work addresses inequities and intersectionalities within Asian Canadian studies and closely related fields
- Graduate students who conduct community engaged research, especially those whose work involves partnership with Asian Canadian and other HPSM communities
- Applicants whose home department resides in the Faculty of Arts
Why apply to the ACRE Graduate Fellows Program?
The benefits of the ACRE Graduate Fellows Program include:
- A stipend of $1000 per Fellow, to be paid out in two installments of $500 in October 2025 and February 2026
- Bookable workspace access
- Access to a monthly program of activities designed specifically for ACRE Graduate Fellows, including professional development workshops, talks and social events
- Opportunities to meet with and be mentored by ACRE affiliated faculty members, speakers, visiting scholars and community partners
- In-cohort peer support and mentorship
What are the conditions and expectations?
ACRE Graduate Fellows must be engaged members of their Fellows Program cohort. Active involvement and regular attendance in the ACRE Graduate Fellows Program events and activities are expected. Fellows will also contribute to in-cohort support and collective learning through participation in workshops, discussions and social events. At the start of the fellowship year, selected ACRE Graduate Fellows will submit a short profile that includes a headshot, a short description (50 words) of research interests, and a favourite or influential piece of scholarly or creative work. At the end of the fellowship year, ACRE Graduate Fellows will submit a brief reflection (1-2 pages) on their experiences with the Fellows Program. Three guiding questions will be provided to all fellows to structure their reflections. Profiles and reflections may be used for the ACRE website and social media accounts, and for ACRE activity reporting to UBC and funders.
How to apply? When is the deadline?
The application package consists of two items: 1) a duly filled and signed application form and 2) a copy of your latest curriculum vitae. Please submit your application package to acre.info@ubc.ca.
Application deadline: September 21, 2025, 11:59PM.
Applicants will be notified of the results by October 3, 2025.
