APB Scholarship and Bursary
🚧 Program Currently Under Review
We are currently reviewing and updating this program to ensure it continues to meet the needs of our members and the profession. Please check back soon for updated information.
The APB will normally fund up to two scholarship or bursary awards each year. Under the Scholarship and Bursary Program, the APB reserves the option to create graduate and undergraduate categories and provide one scholarship or bursary for each (total of two), if the applications warrant this segregation. This is intended to provide undergraduates with an equal opportunity to compete with their graduate peers. Moreover, the Board may expand the Scholarship and Bursary Program if additional funds become available during any given year.
If you run a business, please consider sponsoring out scholarship and bursary program. Scroll to the bottom of this page to find out how.
Past Recipients
Milena Wilson – Recipient of the 2024 APB Scholarship
Congratulation to Milena Wilson who received the 2024 APB Scholarship. Milena is a 3rd year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology with a certificate in Geographic Information Sciences and Environmental Impact Assessment at Dalhousie University. Growing up in BC has fostered a love of the outdoors and the ocean. Following her passion for the marine environment, she hopes to continue exploring topics related to fisheries management and conservation.
The APB is happy to present Milena with $2000 in scholarship.
Julien Gullo – Recipient of the 2023 APB Scholarship
Congratulation to Julien Gullo who received the 2023 APB Scholarship. Julien is in the second year of a masters of ecology at the University of Alberta studying Stone’s sheep in Northern British Columbia. His ambition is to pursue a career focused on wildlife management, research, and community engagement.
The APB is happy to present Mackenzie with $800 in scholarship.
Mackenzie Gutierrez – Recipient of the 2019 APB Scholarship
Congratulation to Mackenzie Gutierrez who received the 2019 APB Scholarship. Mackenzie is a 4th year student in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of British Columbia. She is passionate about this field and plans to pursue an MD PhD focusing on microbiome research.
The APB is happy to present Julien with $800 in scholarship.
Congratulation to Neelah Hassanzadeh & Sarah Choi of Fraser Valley Regional Science Fair for their project BSFL Frass: Improving Plant Health While Minimizing Environmental Impact.
The APB is happy to present Neelah and Sarah with $200 in award.
Application Instructions
When applying for this scholarship, we require the following information, which should be assembled in a folder before mailing.
- Download and complete the application form. Submit form to info@professionalbiology.com.
- Include a short personal statement which tell us about yourself. Please expand on the following:
Interests; Activities out of school time; and Your goals for the future. - Include a current resume.
- Arrange for and include two letters of reference.
- Mail original transcripts to the APB office.
- Include a completed copy of the eligibility form.
Download the checklist here.
Terms of Reference
Eligibility
Applicants for the APB Scholarship and Bursary may be:
- A child, spouse, niece, nephew, grandchild, or other close relative of a member in good standing of the APB who is entering the third or fourth year of an undergraduate program in biology, the second year of a diploma program in biology, or a closely related area as specified in the College schedule
- A student member of the APB who is entering the third or fourth year of an undergraduate program in biology, the second year of a diploma program in biology, or a closely related area as specified in the College schedule.
- A Biologist in Training of the APB returning to university to pursue a higher degree.
- A Registered Biology Technologist in Training of the APB pursuing an undergraduate or higher degree.
- An RPBio in good standing with the APB, returning to university to pursue a higher degree.
- An RBTech in good standing with the APB who is pursuing an undergraduate or higher degree.
Applicants must be enrolled in an academic program similar to those in the College membership guidelines, which leads to a degree or diploma that will be used in a professional biology practice. Applicants are eligible to re-apply for the scholarship in subsequent years. However, an applicant is only eligible to receive a scholarship for up to a maximum of two years.
Application Deadline
The final date for applications for the scholarship shall be July 31 of the year in which the student will be starting their second year (diploma) third or fourth year (degree) or entering/continuing a post-graduate program.
Information Required
Applicants are required to fill in the application form available on the web site.
Forms:
Information required with the application includes:
- A letter to the scholarship committee indicating the applicant’s qualifications, background, professional /extracurricular interests and activities; and
- Two letters of reference.
- Ensure original transcripts are mailed to the APB office to arrive prior to the deadline.
The information provided is to inform the committee about the applicant’s goals, life experiences, motivations and extracurricular activities.
Adjudication
Applications shall be reviewed by the Committee, convened by the Chair, or any combination of the Chair and two members of the APB (i.e. a “Selection Sub-committee”).
In the case of a conflict of interest (i.e. child, partner, spouse, co-worker), a member of the Committee (or Selection Sub-committee) will step down and another member will be appointed by the remaining members or by the Board as so required.
Selection shall be on an assignment of points for each application, with the top scorer(s) receiving the scholarship(s).
In the case of a tie, the committee may:
- interview the applicants by phone
- review the applications
- check with references
- choose to divide the scholarship between the two individuals
Applicants will be evaluated on a scale of 50 points where:
- 20 points – evaluation of transcript;
- 10 points – evaluation of letters of reference; and
- 20 points – evaluation of personal information.
The committee may choose not to award a scholarship in any year in which there is no candidate scoring at least 40 points.
Distribution
A cheque or e-transfer will be forwarded to the winner on proof of registration at the post-secondary institution specified in the application.
Publication
A brief write-up taken from the information supplied by the applicant will be shared with our membership, published on the APB website and/or on APB social media.