Simons Award in Nuclear Disarmament and Global Security

The Simons Awards in Nuclear Disarmament and Global Security are provided by the Liu Institute for Global Issues at the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs to support full-time UBC undergraduate students of at least third year standing or graduate students who are selected to participate in research on topics broadly related to nuclear disarmament and global security.

Awards of $1,500 (undergraduate) or $2000 (graduate) are provided to successful candidates upon satisfactory completion of a research paper or other suitable product.

The award is funded by an endowment provided by the Simons Foundation to advance the understanding of disarmament and arms control issues among UBC students. Awards are made on the recommendation of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, and in the case of graduate students, in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Selection of participants will be based on (1) the potential and originality of the proposed research project, (2) applicants’ research fit and knowledgeability about nuclear disarmament and/or global security, and (3) applicants’ records of achievement; a balance of disciplines, gender, and experience levels will also be taken into consideration.

To apply, email the following items to m.v.ramana@ubc.ca

1. Cover Letter
   Applicants should provide a covering letter, not to exceed one (1) page, that, inter alia, describes their interest in nuclear disarmament and/or global security.
2. Curriculum Vitae
   CV should not exceed two (2) pages, and should include applicants name, email address, and details of their UBC program faculty, major, and year.
3. Research Proposal
   Applicants should identify a research project of interest that broadly relates in some way to nuclear disarmament and/or global security. Sample topics include nuclear weapons and energy in Canada, the history of anti-nuclear activism in British Columbia and the lower mainland, implications of countries acquiring nuclear energy technology, the environmental and public health impacts of nuclear weapons and nuclear energy production, and artistic responses to the nuclear age. The proposal should provide a well-defined research question, a brief overview of the relevant literature(s) on the topic, and a research design within 1000-1500 words. The research proposal should be prefaced by a short abstract of roughly 300 words summarizing the applicant’s initial understanding of the topic and its significance.
4. Sample of prior work
   Applicants should provide a sample of prior work; written work is not to exceed fifteen (15) pages; we welcome multimedia submissions (art or video projects, presentations, and so forth) at the applicants’ discretion.

Sample Publications from Simons Awardees

Privacy Notification: Applicants personal information is collected under the authority of section 26c of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). This information will be used for the purpose of evaluating eligibility for this award. Questions about the collection of this information may be directed to sppga.admin@ubc.ca.