Ch’nook’s highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our students and community members. This year, as COVID restrictions across BC and Canada (and at UBC, where Ch’nook is based) continue to be lifted, we are looking forward to continuing with in-person Scholars events. The plan is to host two in-person Gatherings – one in the fall and one in the spring. The Gatherings will adhere to all public health and university guidance, which we recognize may change as the year progresses. In the unlikely event of another unexpected lockdown (like the one in the fall of 2021), we will pivot again to virtual events.
The Fall Gathering is planned for the weekend of Friday 3 November through Sunday 5 November 2023 and will be hosted at the UBC Vancouver campus. Travel to Vancouver and accommodation for the weekend (if either or both are required) is fully covered by Ch’nook. The dates and location for the Spring Gathering are TBD, but if you are applying for the Scholars program, please know that attendance at Scholars Gatherings (or virtual events) is required in order to receive both scholarships, so please mark your calendar for 3-5 November 2023. Ch’nook will be in touch with the 2023/2024 Scholars ASAP about dates and location for the Spring Gathering. If you have questions about attendance requirements or schedule conflicts, please contact us before applying.
To receive both scholarship payments, it is expected that Scholars attend the virtual events and, if it takes place, the in-person Gathering. Events will cover a range of topics including leadership, networking, and career planning. If you’d like to apply but will have challenges making these days/times, please reach out and let us know in advance of submitting your application.
Program process
- Applications must be submitted completing the online form. Please reach out to chnookadmin@ch-nook.ubc.ca if you have questions about the application.
- The firm deadline for all materials to reach Ch’nook is 11:59 pm on Friday October 13, 2023.
- The Ch’nook Selection Committee reviews all on-time and complete applications and determines the cohort of Ch’nook Scholars.
- Successful applicants are contacted within two weeks of the application deadline. Successful applicants will be provided with an acceptance letter that outlines the program objectives and requirements.
- Ch’nook Scholars are asked to confirm their acceptance in writing, to send program impact statements, and to sign and return the Achieve and Contribute Agreement in a timely manner.
- Ch’nook will announce the names, post-secondary institutions, and community affiliations of the 2022/23 Ch’nook Scholars to schools, funders, and media outlets.
- Scholarship payments will be distributed in two separate installments of $1,000: the first after the signed confirmation of acceptance to the program is received and the second after the Scholar has attended both Gatherings (i.e., following the Spring Gathering). Ch’nook will issue payments to Scholars electronically wherever possible, which requires Scholars to submit a photo of a voided check to UBC Finance. Payments may take up to eight weeks for processing and delivery.
