Each year, approximately 30 studentships are given to top ranked students based on scholarly achievement, scientific merit of the proposed project, and the potential benefits applicants will gain from the experience.

Funding is provided for an optional 8, 10 or 12-week period between May and August. Students receive a stipend of $6,000 for 12 weeks, $5,000 for 10 weeks and $4,000 for 8 weeks.

Eligibility Criteria

For full eligibility criteria refer to the Summer Studentship Award guidelines below. 

  • New for 2026: Students are not eligible to apply if they have previously received and accepted a BC Children’s Hospital Summer Studentship. Students who declined a previous award may re-apply and be considered for funding, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. While there is no limit to the number of applications submitted, a student may only receive a BC Children’s Hospital Summer Studentship once (either as an undergraduate student or a medical student).
  • The applicant must be a current undergraduate or medical student registered at a recognized university returning in the fall to continue their current program. Undergraduate students graduating in spring/summer are ineligible to apply for the studentship.
  • The applicant must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or foreign national. Out-of province and international applicants are welcome to apply but please note the proper work/student permit and a Social Insurance Number from Service Canada is required.
  • The primary supervisor must be a BCCHR Investigator at BC Children’s Hospital whose area of investigation has direct relevance to improving the health of children and families. Affiliate Investigators are not eligible as per the BCCHR membership guidelines.
  • The proposed research project must have direct relevance to improving the health of children and families.

Applications will be accepted for projects that (1) include active in-person engagement in research on the BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre campus or (2) can be completed remotely within Canada, but not on the BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre campus. 

The applicant's summer start/end date should allow for active participation in the Summer Student Research Program education curriculum. To meet the attendance requirement, students must attend at least 5 sessions in June and at least 5 sessions in July. Studentships may be withdrawn if the applicant does not participate in the Research Education Program.

An investigator may submit only one project attached to one applicant. Students may apply for only one project attached to one investigator. Investigators must provide whatever space, supplies or resources the student requires to complete the project.

For students who applied for the BCCHR Summer Studentship but were not successful in receiving funding, they can still apply for the summer program curriculum, provided they meet all eligibility requirements.

Alternative Funding Sources

Students are encouraged to apply for all other relevant summer student awards and discuss alternative funding sources with their supervisor. Please see the Program Application FAQs for more information.

Interested in the MITACS Accelerate Program? This program provides a $7,500 matched stipend for short-term undergraduate students working on a hospital campus. Eligible faculty members can submit a research proposal supporting a new partnership with a potential student. If awarded, a matched $7,500 stipend is provided with the student receiving $15,000 for a 4+ month project.  

If successful, BCCHR Summer Studentship funding can be used as part of the matched stipend. Please note the maximum stipend for BCCHR Summer Students is $6,000 for 12 weeks, the MITACS Accelerate Program requires a $7,500 match for a 4+ month project. 

Submitting your Application

The deadline for submitting a complete application is Friday, December 12, 2025. 

To apply, follow the steps below:

  1. Download and review the following documents:
    2025 Summer Studentship - Application Guidelines

    Please note, UBC’s Research Project Information Form (RPIF) is no longer required when submitting a BCCHR Summer Studentship application. If funded, the supervisor will be required to submit an RPIF in order to set-up the award. 
     

  2. Submit your application online. Applications for the 2026 Summer Studentship must be submitted using SlideRoom: https://bcchr.slideroom.com/ 

    For more information, contact resinfo@bcchr.ca or refer to the following:
    Starting Your SlideRoom Application | Completing Your SlideRoom Application