Funding and Scholarships

An endowed bursary fund in honour of Jeanette Cooper RM SCM for UBC students in the midwifery program who are in need of financial assistance. Speak to a representative at UBC Financial Assistance for more information on how to apply.

To learn more about this award please visit the Jean Cooper Bursary page.

For students entering the Bachelor of Midwifery Program with a strong interest in serving underserved communities. Priority will be given to applicants who are (1) First Nations, Inuit, or Métis, or (2) from underserved areas. Financial need may be taken into account. All incoming students will be provided a link to apply to this award from the Student Services Manager & Advisor in the summer.

To learn more about this fund please visit the Carol Hird Memorial Award page.

The Premier Undergraduate and Wesbrook Scholarships are given to senior students at UBC with outstanding academic performance, leadership, and involvement in student and community activities. Midwifery students in Year 3 & 4 are eligible to apply. At the start of the fall term, senior students will receive an invitation with instructions on how to apply. The Midwifery Program is designated one nomination each year to put forward to the scholarship committee for consideration. Awards range from 20 Wesbrook Scholar designations worth $1000.00 each, to renewable scholarships worth $20,000 over two years.

A renewable entrance award has been made available through a magnanimous gift from Maija Leivo and Ian Herring for a student entering the Bachelor of Midwifery Program. Preference will be given to candidates who are (1) from rural or remote areas (2) First Nations, Inuit, or Métis students of Canada (3) from a group that is underrepresented within the student population or (4) first-generation post-secondary students in their family. Candidates will demonstrate a desire to practice midwifery in underserved communities in BC. Financial need may be considered. Candidates do not need to meet every award preference. Subject to continued academic standing, the award will be renewed for a further three years of study or until the first undergraduate degree is obtained (whichever is the shorter period).

Maija and Ian are BC-based documentary filmmakers who established this award to give back to the midwifery community as an expression of their gratitude for the excellent care midwives provided to their family. This award is made on the recommendation of the Midwifery Program Awards Committee in the Faculty of Medicine during the admissions review process.

The Strengthening Mothers Through Perinatal Research Award is not available for 2024. Please keep monitoring this website for updates on the Award process for 2025.

A $1,650 award is offered annually by Beverley O’Brien for graduate students pursuing research into woman-centred, holistic and physiologic maternity care. Beverley O’Brien is a UBC Nursing alumna, Professor Emerita in the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Nursing, and a Registered Midwife. Graduate students registered in any UBC graduate program are eligible to apply for this Graduate Student award. There is a strong preference for this award to go to a nurse or midwife pursuing graduate work. The focus of the graduate work must be on strengthening mothers through the development of research evidence. All applicants must be in good academic standing with the University and must be making satisfactory progress toward their degree as defined by the UBC Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. For more information please visit the dedicated Grad UBC award page .

Midwifery Award for Academic Excellence: Awarded for overall excellence with respect to the theory, practice, and service roles in midwifery. Reflects a superior grade point average, clinical excellence, and professionalism.

Midwifery Award for Citizenship and Fellowship (Peer Award): awarded to the student who is most valued by peers for student advocacy, mentorship, peer teaching, counselling, and/or support to classmates.

Solidarity Award: awarded to a student who demonstrates collegiality, respect for the learning environment and the learning goals of the cohort. The awardee supports teamwork within the cohort, resolves conflict, proactively assists other students, builds rapport between students and faculty, and shows patience and respect when working with colleagues.

Midwifery Program Service Award: awarded to the work-study student or student research assistant who has provided exemplary service to the Midwifery Program, advancing the mission, vision and values of the Midwifery Program above and beyond the usual duties of work-study positions.

Midwifery Award for Distinguished Service to Families: awarded to a student who shows the most potential for making a significant impact on maternity care for marginalized populations and/or families in rural/remote or international settings who cannot access adequate high-quality maternity care.

Two awards of $1,125 each.

• Any student identifying as BIPOC is eligible to apply.
• To support as many UBC Midwifery students as possible with this MABC funding opportunity, students are only eligible to receive the BIPOC Student or Compassion Award ONCE during their tenure at UBC Midwifery. However, Students who are unsuccessful in one year are welcome to reapply for these awards in subsequent years should funding permit repeated offerings.

One award of $1,500

• The Compassion Award is intended for those recipients who have experienced emergencies, disasters, medical crises, or other personal hardships and tragedies. The applicant is asked to provide a short essay (max 250 words) that speaks to the hardship experienced. All the information provided by students will be kept entirely confidential within the award administration team.

Two awards of $250 each

• Financial support for students to purchase necessary equipment (blood pressure cuff, stethoscope) for midwifery training.

Two awards of $1125 each

• Any student intending to participate in an interprofessional placement (MIDW 350) in a Northern or rural community, during the academic year is eligible to apply.