Applications for the ACRE Graduate Fellows Program (2026-27) Now Open!
About
This program intends to create a scholarly community for UBC graduate students researching Asian Canadian and Asian Diaspora studies. Through engaging in monthly community building events, workshops, and discussions, ACRE Graduate Fellows will connect with peers, affiliated faculty, and affiliated community partners to contextualize and explore complex issues of significance in Asian Canadian studies.
This program is led by Dr. JP Catungal (Co-Director, UBC ACRE; GRSJ, Geography).
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.
About ACRE:
The Centre of Asian Canadian Research at the Faculty of Arts 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 academic units in the Faculty of Arts, including but not limited to the Asian Canadian and Asian Migration Studies (ACAM), Asian Studies, English, Geography, History, Music, the Social Justice Institute, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, 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.
The 2026-27 ACRE Graduate Fellows Program will run from October 2, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
In addition to receiving a $1000 stipend and access to bookable desk space at the Arts Research Commons (Gateway Building), ACRE Graduate Fellows will also be able to access support and mentorship from ACRE graduate fellow peers and faculty members.
Monthly programs include seminar-style discussions led by Dr. JP Catungal and affiliated ACRE faculty; social events; academic workshops; off-campus community-based field trips, and peer-to-peer panel/discussions with program alumni.
Fellows must be available to meet in person for all of the following dates:
- October 2, 11:00am-2:00pm
- November 7-9, Asian Canadian Workshop Series – Time TBC
- December 4, 11:00am-2:00pm
- January 8, 11:00am-2:00pm
- February 5, 11:00am-2:00pm
- March 5, 11:00am-2:00pm
- April 2, 11:00am-2:00pm
- May 7, 11:00am-2:00pm
- June 4, 11:00am-2:00pm
Master’s and doctoral students enrolled full-time at UBC for the 2026-27 academic year are eligible.
We will prioritize applications from the following groups:
- Registered 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;
- Applicants have availability for the dates and times of the program.
- A stipend of $1000 per Fellow, to be paid out in two installments of $500 in November 2026 and May 2027;
- Bookable workspace access (Arts Research Commons; Gateway Building);
- Access to a monthly program of activities designed specifically for ACRE Graduate Fellows, including academic development workshops, field trips, 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.
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.
Almost all ACRE Graduate Fellows program events will take place on the first Friday of the month, from 11am-2pm. Please refer to the “Key Dates” section to ensure that you can commit to this program.
Application Instructions
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 via the portal.
Application deadline: Monday, September 14, 2026, 11:59PM.
Applicants will be notified of the results by Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
