Join an international network of young leaders creating lasting impacts at home and abroad.
The Building Resilience in Coastal Communities Program, known as Vancouver Island University's BRiCC Knowledge Network, supports experiential learning opportunities and Queen Elizabeth Scholarship funding for students to collaborate on innovative solutions to the pressing issues facing coastal communities in Canada and around the world.
BRiCC Knowledge Network Goals
- Improve capacity to foster sustainable economic activity, particularly tourism
- Enhance management of water in coastal zones, including drinking water
- Develop and manage parks and protected areas in or near coastal communities
- Enhance coastal communities’ response to climate change
- Develop sustainable aquatic foods and local agricultural production
International Partners
Our key partnerships are focused within our three-pillar countries and include Belize (University of Belize and community partners), Tanzania (College of African Wildlife Management) and Canada (Vancouver Island University).
Internship opportunities for outgoing VIU students to other eligible Commonwealth countries, working within the BRiCC themes, are also an option.
For VIU students interested in going abroad that would like more information on how to Develop an Internship, please refer to our application section.
Funding for Scholars and Updates for Prospective Applicants
Outbound Scholars
We are not currently accepting applications for outbound scholars.
Between 2018 and 2023, fourteen outbound Canadian students from VIU were funded to participate in three-month international field internships with partners or organizations.
Inbound Scholars
We are not currently accepting applications for incoming graduate scholars.
Between 2016 and 2019, ten scholarships were given to graduate students from Belize and Tanzania who completed degrees in Sustainable Leisure Management. Learn more about our QES graduate scholars.
The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) is managed through a unique partnership of Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF), Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) and Canadian universities. This program is made possible with financial support from the Government of Canada, provincial governments and the private sector.