Prestigious awards are an opportunity for University of Waterloo researchers to be recognized and rewarded by external organizations for the value of their research.
The Waterloo Awards Committee promotes and facilitates the submission of high-quality nominations of Waterloo scholars across all disciplines for prestigious awards and honorific titles.
The list below provides detail categorized by discipline with further detail about eligibility requirements, etc.
Please note that deadlines or anticipated deadlines change often so check the website for the organization that is presenting the award regularly to be sure of the deadline.
Humanities and Social Sciences
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Awards
Upcoming Deadlines
All dates and links are anticipated but may change between now and the final deadline. Please note that many sponsors do not update their websites until 2-3 months before the deadline date. Always double-check sponsor websites before committing to a nomination.
Watch for updates on deadlines for awards in the following categories:
General Interest
All dates and nomination requirements are subject to change. Please consult the sponsor’s websites before committing to a course of action.
Killam Prizes
The Killam Prizes were created to honour eminent Canadian scholars and scientists actively engaged in research, whether in industry, government agencies or universities.
The Killam Prizes are intended to honour distinguished Canadian scholars who have been engaged in research in universities, hospitals, research or scientific institutes, or other similar institutions.
They are awarded to distinguished Canadian scholars doing research in: humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences and engineering.
| Value of award | $100,000 each; Five awards are issued per year (1 prize in each of the 5 fields) |
| Eligibility requirements | Canadian citizens. Typically, the prize recipient is a full professor. Candidates have made a substantial and distinguished contribution, over a significant period, to scholarly research in Canada. A Killam Prize is not intended as an “end of service” reward, as recognition for one great accomplishment, or in expectation of future distinguished contributions. |
| Submission process | Candidates must be nominated by an expert in their field. An application consists of the application form, three letters of support, and brief description of the nominee and their research and contribution, CV, and Nominee biography. Email submissions were permitted in 2020 due to Covid-19. |
| Deadline | June 30 – moving to National Research Council in 2023 – subject to change |
| Website | Killam Prizes |
BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Awards
The BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Awards seek to recognize and encourage world-class research and artistic creation, prizing contributions of lasting impact for their originality, theoretical significance and ability to push back the frontiers of the known world.
Prize Categories include: 1. Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics); 2. Biology and Biomedicine; 3. Information and Communication Technologies; 4. Ecology and Conservation Biology; 5. Climate Change; 6. Economics, Finance and Management; 7. Humanities and Social Sciences; 8. Music and Opera.
| Value of award |
A diploma; a commemorative artwork; and $400,000 Euros |
| Eligibility requirements |
Candidate(s) can be one person or more, of any nationality. |
| Submission process |
Candidates must be nominated. Any scientific or cultural organization or institution can submit nominations. The nominating institution or individual must provide the following information and documentation, as specified: Award category for which the candidate is nominated; Name of the nominating institution and officer/body, with the corresponding contact data (postal and email address, plus landline and cell phone numbers); Letter of nomination signed by the nominating officer/body; Candidate particulars including institutional affiliation and contact data; Description of the salient contributions of the candidate and reasoned arguments for the nomination (maximum of three pages, single spaced); Candidate’s curriculum vitae. |
| Deadline | June 30, 2022 (anticipated) |
| Website | BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Awards |
Humanities and social sciences
All dates and nomination requirements are subject to change. Please consult the sponsor’s websites before committing to a course of action.
Joseph B. Gitler Award
The Joseph B. Gittler Award was established through a bequest from Joseph Gittler, PhD, who wished to recognize psychologists who are making, and will continue to make, scholarly contributions to the philosophical foundations of psychological knowledge.
| Value of award | $4,000 |
| Eligibility requirements |
Demonstrated contribution to the philosophical foundations of psychology, particularly over the last five to 10 years (psychologists at all levels of careers will be considered within this criterion). Must be psychologists with an EdD, PsyD or PhD from an accredited university. |
| Submission process |
Statement of accomplishments in the targeted area over the last five to 10 years; Plan for the next five years to contribute to the philosophy of psychological knowledge; Letter of recommendation supporting candidate's qualifications with reference to the program goals; Current CV; Self-nominations are accepted. |
| Deadline | June 1, 2022 |
| Website | Joseph B. Gitler Award |
Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts
The Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts are granted to artists in recognition of remarkable careers in either of those fields. Up to 8 awards are given annually: up to 6 awards of $25,000 each are available for distinguished artistic achievement in the visual (including architecture) and/or media arts; 1 award of $25,000 is presented as the Saidye Bronfman Award for excellence in the fine crafts; 1 award of $25,000 is given to recognize the outstanding contribution to the visual arts (including architecture), media arts or to fine craft of an individual or group in a volunteer or professional capacity, through philanthropy, board governance, community outreach activities, or as a director of an organization, curator, programmer, educator, critic or dealer/distributor.
| Value of award | $25,000 |
| Eligibility requirements | Nominees must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada, as defined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. They do not need to be living in Canada. Nominees must be living as of the nomination deadline date. Prizes are not awarded posthumously. |
| Submission process |
Nominations must be submitted to the Council by a recognized Canadian specialist in the visual or media arts or fine crafts. A peer assessment committee will select the recipients from among all nominations received. |
| Deadline | June 1 (annually) |
| Website | Governor General's Awards in Visual and Media Arts |
The Holberg Prize
The Holberg Prize is awarded annually for outstanding scholarly work in the fields of the arts and humanities, social sciences, law and theology. The prize may be awarded both for work within a particular academic discipline and for work of a cross-disciplinary nature. The recipient must have had a decisive influence on international research.
| Value of award |
The Prize amount is NOK 6 000,000 (approximately EUR 525,000 / USD 575,000) |
| Eligibility requirements |
Candidates have made an outstanding contribution to research in the arts and humanities, social science, law or theology. Candidates must be a scholar holding positions at universities or other research institutions. |
| Submission process |
In the nomination form, please provide the following: A statement of 1000-3000 characters (incl. spaces), explaining why the candidate should receive the Holberg Prize. The candidate’s CV and publication list. Names of three possible referees who know the candidate´s work and who can provide additional information if needed. |
| Deadline | June 15 (annually) |
| Website | Holberg Prize |
The Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application - Early Career Researcher
This award will recognize exceptional, science-based achievement in international agriculture and food production by an individual under 40 who has clearly demonstrated intellectual courage, stamina, and determination in the fight to eliminate global hunger and poverty.
| Value of award | $10,000 USD |
| Eligibility requirements | The award will honor an individual who is working closely and directly “in the field” or at the production or processing level with farmers, animal herders, fishers or others in rural communities, in any discipline or enterprise across the entire food production, processing, and distribution chain. |
| Submission process |
Online nomination process Required Nomination Documentation:
|
| Deadline | June 15 |
| Website | The Norman Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application |
Health Sciences
All dates and nomination requirements are subject to change. Please consult the sponsor’s websites before committing to a course of action.
Awards for Excellence in Cancer Research (Canadian Cancer Society)
Each year the Canadian Cancer Society honours exceptional men and women who have made a significant contribution in cancer research. Four awards are available: Robert L. Noble Prize, O. Harold Warwick Prize, William E. Rawls Prize, and Bernard and Francine Dorval Prize.
| Value of award | $20,000 towards research program for each of the four awards |
| Eligibility requirements | Varies by award. Candidates will either be promising young researchers beginning their independent research career, or researchers who have had outstanding achievements in cancer research. |
| Submission process |
Varies by award. Candidates will be either promising young researchers beginning their independent research career, or researchers who have had outstanding achievements in cancer research. NEW for 2021! Nominees must create and submit their own nomination(s) in EGrAMS by the award deadline date. |
| Deadline | May 29, 2022 (anticipated) |
| Website | Awards for Excellence in Cancer Research (Canadian Cancer Society) |
Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research *NEW*
The Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research was established in 2005 by Friends of CIHR in recognition of Dr. Friesen’s distinguished leadership, vision and innovative contributions to health research and health research policy. The award supports an annual fall lecture or series of lectures by a worthy and accomplished speaker of international stature on topics related to the advancement of health research and its evolving contributions to society. The Lecture endeavours to reach the broadest possible audience at major centres across Canada. Additional institutional visits ensure national impact.
| Value of award | $35,000; a Citation; Travel and Hospitality costs for lecture series |
| Eligibility requirements | Nominees shall be individuals whose work in health-related fields has gained international recognition and skilled in explaining to peers and the public the significance, challenges and opportunities in health research. |
| Submission process | Members in good standing of Friends of Canadian Institutes of Health Research (FCIHR) or the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) may make nominations, at any time, without limit. Presidents and Deans of Medicine of Canadian universities are canvassed annually to nominate suitable candidates. Scientific Directors of Research Institutes are also welcome to submit nominations. Nominations from Universities and Research Centres outside of Canada will also be considered. There is no limit to the number of nominations that may be submitted. Nominations will be considered for up to three consecutive years, after which a new submission is required. |
| Deadline | June 1, 2022 |
| Website | Henry G. Friesen International Prize in Health Research |
Health Research Foundation - Medal of Honour
Since its inception in 1945, the Medal of Honour has been awarded to remarkable individuals whose research or contributions to public policies supportive of research and development in Canada have achieved international recognition. All recipients have made pivotal contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the health sciences and/or the improvement of therapeutics healthcare.
| Value of award | $20,000; Medal |
| Eligibility requirements |
Nominations are accepted from any Canadian individual or organization and is not limited to industry. A secondary nominator is required for the nomination to be considered and cannot originate from a current member of the Medal of Honour Committee. The nomination deadline is June 21 of the award granting year. Any nomination submitted may be considered for up to two award cycles. The nominee’s work/research must have been performed in Canada by a Canadian Resident and have achieved international recognition for its contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the health sciences, health policy and/or the improvement of therapeutics and healthcare. |
| Submission process |
Each nomination package includes a letter of recommendation from each nominator, the nominee’s Curriculum Vitae, and supplemental material that supports the nomination. |
| Deadline | June 21, 2022 (anticipated) |
| Website |
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
All dates and nomination requirements are subject to change. Please consult the sponsor’s websites before committing to a course of action.
L'Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Programme
The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards are presented every year to five outstanding women scientists – one per each of the following regions: Africa and the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America - in recognition of their scientific accomplishments. Each scientist has had a unique career path combining exceptional talent, a deep commitment to her profession and remarkable courage in a field still largely dominated by men. The scientific fields considered for the awards alternate every other year between LifeSciences (even years) and the Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science (odd years).
| Value of award | $100,000 Euros |
| Eligibility requirements |
The candidate must be recognized for her personal scientific excellence; be actively involved in scientific research; be involved in any field of the Physical Sciences. |
| Submission process | Nomination through https://www.forwomeninscience.com/ (For Women in Science platform); Nominators (eminent scientists) must register to nominate. |
| Deadline | May 31, 2022 – Awards in Life and Environmental Sciences |
| Website |
USERN Prize - Early Career Researcher
USERN prize is an international award, established by the Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), which would be annually bestowed to junior scientists or researchers less than 40 years of age for any novel advancement or achievement in scientific education, research, or serving humanity in five scientific fields including Formal Sciences, Physical-Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences.
| Value of award | $5,000 USD; Statuette; Medal |
| Eligibility requirements | All junior scientists and researchers less than 40 years of age who has conducted a novel research, educational, or humanity service program or proposed a novel theory proceeded with a scientific approach could apply for the prize through the registration link in USERN website. |
| Submission process |
Online application (must register to submit) |
| Deadline |
Deadline: June 1, 2022 (anticipated) |
| Website | USERN Prize |
W.K.H. Panofsky Prize in Experimental Particle Physics - Early Career Researcher
The W.K.H. Panofsky Prize aims to recognize and encourage outstanding achievements by scientists in Experimental Particle Physics.
| Value of award | $10,000 USD; Travel allowance; A certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient |
| Eligibility requirements | Candidates are scientists and can be of all nations regardless of the geographical site at which the work was accomplished. The prize shall ordinarily be awarded to one person but the prize may be shared when all recipients have contributed to the same accomplishment. Candidates are normally at an early stage of their career. |
| Submission process |
Candidates must be nominated. The nomination package must include:
In addition, the nomination should include:
|
| Deadline | June 1, 2022 (anticipated) |
| Website | W.K.H. Panofsky Prize in Experimental Particle Physics |
Arthur L. Schawlow Prize in Laser Science
This prize aims to recognize outstanding contributions to basic research, which uses lasers to advance our knowledge of the fundamental physical properties of materials and their interaction with light. Some examples of relevant areas of research are: nonlinear optics, ultrafast phenomena, laser spectroscopy, squeezed states, quantum optics, multiphoton physics, laser cooling and trapping, physics of lasers, particle acceleration by lasers, and short wavelength lasers.
| Value of award | $10,000 USD; An allowance for travel to the meeting at which the prize is awarded; A certificate citing the contributions made by the recipient |
| Eligibility requirements | Candidates should have made outstanding contributions to basic research using lasers. |
| Submission process | Candidates must be nominated. Nomination packages must include letter of evaluation, biographical sketch, list of the most important publication, at least 2 seconding letters. |
| Deadline | June 1, 2022 (anticipated) |
| Website | Arthur L. Schawlow Prize in Laser Science |
Marconi Prize
The Marconi Society is proud to recognize leaders in the field of advanced communication and information technology in service of digital inclusion. The Marconi Prize is awarded to established scientists who have created and scaled our connected world. Nominees are recognized for their impacts on widely-used technology, the scientific importance of their work, their entrepreneurial contributions, and the applicability of their work to social and humanitarian efforts. We seek diverse candidates with exceptional records who will bring an engaged, socially conscious perspective to the Marconi Society community and its work to expand digital inclusion through information and communications technology.
| Value of award | $100,000 |
| Eligibility requirements | |
| Submission process |
Online nomination form. CV, publication list, list of awards/honours received by the nominee, impact of work, 2-5 references. |
| Deadline | June 1, 2022 |
| Website | Marconi Prize |
Eppendorf and Science Prize for Neurobiology - Early Career Researcher
This award acknowledges the increasingly active and important role of neurobiology in advancing our understanding of the functioning of the brain and the nervous system -- a quest that seems destined for dramatic expansion in the coming decades. This international prize, established in 2002, encourages the work of promising young neurobiologists by providing support in the early stages of their careers.
| Value of award | $25,000 USD |
| Eligibility requirements | Candidates must be a neurobiologist with an advanced degree received in the last 10 years and not older than 35 years of age. The research described in the candidate's essay must describe contributions to neurobiological research based on methods of molecular and cell biology. The entrant must have performed or directed the work described in the essay. The research must have been performed during the previous three years. |
| Submission process | Applications must be submitted electronically through the prize management system. An application consists of a completed application form, a 1000-word essay, a letter of recommendation, the candidate's CV, and two papers most relevant to the application. |
| Deadline | June 15 (annually) |
| Website | Eppendorf and Science Prize |
Steacie Prize for Natural Sciences
The Steacie Prize is named in memory of E.W.R. Steacie, a physical chemist and former President of the National Research Council of Canada, to whom much is owed for the development of science in Canada. The Prize is awarded annually to a young scientist or engineer in Canada (typically under 40 years of age).
| Value of award | $10,000 |
| Eligibility requirements | The Steacie Prize is a Canadian award of $10,000 presented once a year to a scientist or engineer of 40 years of age or less for outstanding scientific research carried out in Canada. The winner is selected by a distinguished panel which is appointed annually by the E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fund, a private foundation dedicated to the advancement of science and engineering in Canada. Nominations of candidates should be made by a colleague, and should include a description and evaluation of the nominee’s work, together with a curriculum vitae, a publication list, and a list of referees. |
| Submission process |
Candidates must be nominated. An application consists of a description and evaluation of the candidate's work, the candidate's CV, a publication list, and a list of 5 or 6 referees. Nomination packages longer than 25 pages (single-sided) may be edited for brevity. |
| Deadline | June 30 (annually) |
| Website | Steacie Prize for Natural Sciences |
The Lobachevsky Medal and Prize
The Lobachevsky Medal and Prize «For Outstanding Works in Geometry and Its Applications» are awarded by Kazan Federal University for scientific works, discoveries and inventions significant for science and practice in geometry and its applications.
| Value of award | $75,000 USD; Medal; Certificate |
| Eligibility requirements | Open to any academic. Must be nominated by academic with prestigious science awards or organizations. |
| Submission process |
Materials on nominations should be sent to medal@kpfu.ru (no specific information on website)
|
| Deadline | June 30, 2022 (awarded biannually - last awarded in 2019) |
| Website |
