The University of British Columbia

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Robson Square

UBC Connects at Robson Square
program application form

Get $5,000, plus promotional and logistical support to
bring your event to life at UBC Robson Square.

About the program

The UBC Connects at Robson Square program is a new initiative that supports innovative, public engagement programming at UBC Robson Square. Currently a two-year pilot program, Connects at Robson Square empowers the equitable knowledge exchange between UBC and our local communities. 

Who can apply

This initiative is open to UBC students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as community partners who are working in collaboration with UBC.

Deadlines

Applications will remain open until October 31, 2023, or until available funds are exhausted. During this open call period, proposals will be reviewed immediately after submission, with the aim of notifying applicants of funding decisions within two weeks of submission. Please note that we will require a minimum of 8 weeks lead time before the date of your event. Our programming schedule for January to May 2023 is currently full. We are accepting applications for events taking place in June 2023 and onward.

Criteria and review process 

All events supported by this program are required to be free and open to the public to support equitable access to knowledge and maximize public engagement.  

A review committee consisting of students, faculty, staff and community members will evaluate each application based on the key criteria listed below.

  • Engagement: Programming should have a balance of participants that are both from the general public and part of the UBC community. All events that will be funded and supported by this program should be of interest to and designed for both public and UBC audiences.
  • Relevance: Programming should increase public exposure to faculty-based knowledge and research and show UBC’s value as a thought leader on pressing societal issues. Program should be accessible and relevant to members of the general public who may not have specialized academic knowledge.
  • Program Feasibility: The goals and intended impact of your event should be clearly outlined. We will also be assessing the logistical feasibility of your application in regard to your budget, scheduling dates, suitability of the venue, etc.

In addition to the above, a minimum of three events per application cycle that align with one or more of UBC’s presidential priorities in 2022 will be accepted. These three priorities are: a) Indigenous engagement and reconciliation b) antiracism and equity, diversity and inclusion and c) climate change, climate justice, and sustainability. While we are prioritizing events that meet UBC’s presidential priorities, we are open to events of all themes and topics.

You can preview the application questions here (PDF).

Funding

Costs for the rental of space at UBC Robson Square, including A/V equipment and staffing, will be covered. In addition, successful applications will be provided with up to $5,000 to cover additional event organizing costs. Some examples include:

  • External speaker fees
  • Honoraria, stipends, and community compensation
  • Marketing and promotions 
  • Equipment/supplies
  • Furniture rentals
  • Transportation or delivery costs
  • Publications and printing materials
  • Catering

Expenses and activities that we do not cover include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Hiring UBC students
  • Payment of UBC salaries or wages
  • Fees for UBC faculty, students, or staff to attend events, conferences, etc.
  • Core operational costs for community organizations
  • Projects outside of Canada

Find details about Robson Square’s facilities (including photos) and services here.

Event Support

Additionally, our Public Engagement Specialist can assist event organizers with: 

  • Event planning  
  • Designing program content
  • Event registration
  • Finding event partners
  • Liaising with Robson Square staff to book venue space, A/V and catering 
  • Marketing, including designing promotional materials and amplification on UBC channels  
  • On-the-day support to ensure the event runs smoothly

Connect with us

Questions? Contact Crystal Lau, Public Engagement Specialist at connects.robsonsquare@ubc.ca

Sign up for the Connects at Robson Square newsletter


March 15, 2023

Cinema Thinks the World: Fail to Appear (2017)

A free screening of Fail to Appear, a film from UBC professor Antoine Bourges, followed by a discussion featuring the filmmaker.

February 24, 2023

Sue Big Oil Launch Party

Join us for the launch of Sue Big Oil's campaign.

February 16, 2023

Cinema Thinks the World: Rewind & Play (2022)

A free screening of Rewind and Play, followed by a discussion and Q&A led by UBC scholars and local experts.

January 23, 2023

Cinema Thinks the World: The Goddess (1934)

A free screening of The Goddess (1934), followed by a discussion by Professor Christopher Rea.

December 17, 2022

Africans in BC Town Hall

An end-of-year townhall for Africans in the diaspora to come together to network, connect, and discuss how to give back to the development of the continent.

November 25, 2022

Cinema Thinks the World: Mariupolis (2016)

A free screening and discussion of Mariupolis, a documentary made in 2016 by Lithuanian filmmaker Mantas Kvedaravicius about the contested Ukrainian city of Mariupol.

Hand placing an election ballot into a voting box.

October 18, 2022

BC Votes: What Happens Next?

Join a panel of UBC Political Science faculty and alumni as we break down the results of the province’s municipal elections and their consequences for future policy and the future of local government.

October 11, 2022

Cinema Thinks the World: Coming Out (1989)

A free screening and discussion of the 1989 film, Coming Out.

September 15, 2022

Cinema Thinks the World: Irma Vep (1996)

A free screening of Olivier Assayas’ meta-cinematic masterpiece, Irma Vep (France, 1996).

August 25, 2022

Summer Pop-Up Concert Series

Join us for our Summer Pop-Up Concerts at UBC Robson Square! We're bringing our most talented students to perform for you right in the heart of downtown every Thursday in July.

August 18, 2022

Summer Pop-Up Concert Series

Join us for our Summer Pop-Up Concerts at UBC Robson Square! We're bringing our most talented students to perform for you right in the heart of downtown every Thursday in July.

August 17, 2022

Students Underground: UBC Downtown Takeover

Calling all students! Join us for a hands-on, social night of building community and learning how to use your power to make local change.

July 28, 2022

Summer Pop-Up Concert Series

Join us for our Summer Pop-Up Concerts at UBC Robson Square! We're bringing our most talented students to perform for you right in the heart of downtown every Thursday in July.

July 21, 2022

Summer Pop-Up Concert Series

Join us for our Summer Pop-Up Concerts at UBC Robson Square! We're bringing our most talented students to perform for you right in the heart of downtown every Thursday in July.

July 14, 2022

Summer Pop-Up Concert Series

Join us for our Summer Pop-Up Concerts at UBC Robson Square! We're bringing our most talented students to perform for you right in the heart of downtown every Thursday in July.

July 7, 2022

Summer Pop-Up Concert Series

Join us for our Summer Pop-Up Concerts at UBC Robson Square! We're bringing our most talented students to perform for you right in the heart of downtown every Thursday in July.

June 14, 2022

All Our Father’s Relations: Film Screening and Dialogue on Settler Colonialism, Identity, and Migration

In a special partnership with the UBC AMS Indigenous Committee, The Ismaili Centre, Vancouver and UBC Connects at Robson Square will be hosting a FREE, exclusive screening of All Our Father’s Relations, followed by an in-person talkback with Elder Larry Grant and filmmakers, Alejandro Yoshizawa and Sarah Ling.

May 14, 2022

In Tune With Your Brain

A half-day symposium all about the intersection of music and the brain presented by UBC Faculty of Science, Faculty of Applied Science, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, UBC Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

March 25, 2023

Screening & Exhibition of Leslie Cheung—Hong Kong Icon

We are proud to present the screening of the 4K digital restoration of Rouge, accompanied by a special exhibition “Leslie Cheung—Hong Kong Icon” to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passing of the legendary Hong Kong actor, singer, and performer, Leslie Cheung.

March 27, 2023

Connecting Online Safely

UBC experts explore the subject of how youths can cope with and develop healthier approaches to social media, cyberbullying, and more.

March 30, 2023

Peer-Led Intervention Work to Promote Dignity

A UBC public dialogue event centered around the importance of peer-led work, with formerly incarcerated lived-experience speakers.