NSERC Donna Strickland Prize - 2025
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
NSERC celebrates exceptional examples of research excellence with a wide range of prizes. Individual awards focus on accomplishments that range from innovative discoveries by young researchers to lifetime achievement and influence.
The NSERC Donna Strickland Prize for Societal Impact of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research is awarded annually to an individual or team whose outstanding research, conducted in Canada in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE), has led to exceptional benefits for Canadian society, environment and/or economy. Award recipients will receive a $250,000 research grant, paid in installments in April of each year for three years.
Eligibility
All researchers in the NSE, regardless of their career stage, can be nominated for this award for their research conducted in Canada. The outstanding research that led to the exceptional benefits described in the nomination must have been supported, at least partially, by NSERC. Self-nominations will not be accepted. To be nominated as an individual, you must hold an NSERC research grant.
Candidates may be nominated by any individual or group; however, the nominators must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.
Exceptional benefits can be demonstrated in one or more interacting spheres of Canadian life. Examples can be found here.
NSERC strongly encourages nominators to consider equity, diversity, and inclusion in their nomination processes.
Nomination Process
The Nomination consists of:
- Nomination Letter (max 4 pages) signed by the nominator including a title describing the research achievement(s), using these points as headings:
- Description of research
- Summary of Impact (Guidelines are available here)
- Knowledge Mobilization Strategy
- Include information about the challenge and the approach taken to involve the appropriate users or beneficiaries in the research and/or knowledge mobilization activities
- Summarize the benefits to Canadian Society
- Refer to Contributions to research and their impact on the program information page for additional examples of societal impact
- Explanation of the ways the benefits described are underpinned by the research
- Description of each nominee's involvement in the research and/or knowledge mobilization (maximum 250 words per nominee);
- Up to four documents, totaling no more than 10 pages, providing evidence of the knowledge mobilization efforts and societal impact;
- The names, organizational affiliations, and email addresses of six individuals who could be approached by NSERC to conduct an impartial review;
- A letter from the team (if applicable) identifying one member as the group spokesperson;
- A terms and conditions form for nominees signed by each nominee;
- A terms and conditions form for nominators signed by each nominator.
The Government of Canada has published its Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern. This funding opportunity is in scope of this new policy. Grant applications that involve conducting research that aims to advance a sensitive technology research area will not be funded if any of the researchers involved in activities supported by the grant are currently affiliated with, or in receipt of funding or in-kind support from, a named research organization. If the prize will support research activities that aim to advance a listed sensitive technology research area, prize recipients will be required to comply with the policy and submit attestation forms to NSERC. Please read the Tri-agency Guidance on the STRAC Policy to understand how this policy may impact your grant.
Program Resources
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the prize, nominators should consult NSERC's Guidelines for the Preparation and Review of Applications in Interdisciplinary Research when preparing the nomination package.
Nominators should also consult NSERC's Guidelines on the Assessment of Contributions to Research, Training and Mentoring.
EDID Resources
Dedicated support and resources for Indigenous research and Equity Diversity, Inclusion and Decolonization in research are available through the Inclusive Research Excellence and Impact team. You can complete a request for support form to receive more information or book a consultation. If you are unsure if your project involves Indigenous research we recommend that you contact the team early for determination and support.
Deadline and Submission
Notice of Intent to Nominate: September 26, 2024 (email rwprizes@uwo.ca if you wish to have Western Research support and coordination of your nomination).
Nominations must be received by NSERC no later than November 28, 2024 at 8pm (Eastern Time).
Nominations must be submitted electronically via NSERC Innovative Collaborations and Science Promotion (ICSP) Programs Secure Submissions Site.
Contact
Interested parties are encouraged to consult with Awards & Distinctions (rwprizes@uwo.ca) at Research Development & Services regarding this award and the nomination process.
