UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Fund

UBC Wellbeing Strategic Initiative Funds (SIF) are granted to departments and units at UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses to support our commitment to the Okanagan Charter to become a health and wellbeing-promoting institution, as outlined in UBC's Wellbeing Strategic Framework. 

This year, $150,000 in funding is available to advance two special focus areas in addition to supporting Wellbeing Strategic Framework Priority Areas:

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

• Must be a current UBC faculty or staff to apply. Student-led projects not affiliated with a student society require a staff or faculty sponsor.
• Initiatives must have a clear linkage to UBC's Wellbeing Strategic Framework in line with our commitment to the Okanagan Charter.
• Funding may not be used retroactively, or exclusively for the purchase of equipment or for academic research that would be carried out in the normal course of work or study.
• Recipient must agree to report back on project outcomes and how the funds were used.
• Projects must take place and funds be used by March 31, 2026. Projects running until the end of semester can request an extension to the end of April.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Preference will be given to proposals that:

• Align closely with advancing the Wellbeing Strategic Framework and UBC's commitments to the Okanagan Charter for health-promoting campuses.
• Showcase observable or measurable benefits to promoting the health and wellbeing of UBC community members and ecology.
• Have considered how to maintain efforts and aim to have a sustainable or long-lasting impact beyond the one-time funding.   
• Clearly summarize objectives, intended outcomes, and how the funds will be used.
• Are first-time applicants or demonstrate significant innovation or expansion of a previously funded initiative.
• Are connected to a Wellbeing Strategic Framework priority area committee/lead.  
• Showcase inclusion, innovation, and collaboration as per the UBC Strategic Plan.
• Advance elements of UBC's Strategic Equity and Anti-Racism Framework, Indigenous Strategic Plan 2020, Inclusion Action Plan, Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Report, Climate Action Plans, Student Strategic Plan, and HR Focus on People Plan.

FUNDING DECISIONS

• Project proposals will be reviewed for eligibility and alignment to priority areas by the Priority Area Committees and/or representatives from the Office of Wellbeing Strategy; VPHR Health Wellbeing & Benefits; VPS Health Promotion & Education; UBCO Student Wellness; UBCO Workplace Health and Wellbeing Human Resources and The Teaching and Wellbeing Community of Practice.
• Decisions will be made approximately one month after applications close.

REPORTING

Funding must be used by March 31, 2026. Projects running until the end of semester can request an extension to the end of April. In April 2026, applicants who have received funding will be asked to complete a brief report about project outcomes within 30 days. 

QUESTIONS

If you are a department or unit with an idea that you feel is well suited to this fund, we are happy to chat with you about it, help make connections, and/or put you in touch with the appropriate committee chair/lead unit for that area. Please email your questions to sara.kozicky@ubc.ca.

APPLYING

Applications open on April 28, 2025, at the link below, and close on June 4th, 2025. View the full application here.

Apply here