NSERC Donna Strickland Prize - 2023

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.

NSERC Website


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.

click here for more information

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 and university officials to consider equity, diversity, and inclusion in their nomination processes.

Nomination Process

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.

The Nomination consists of:

  1. 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
    • 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
  2. Description of each nominee's involvement in the research and/or knowledge mobilization (maximum 250 words per nominee);

  3. Up to four documents, totaling no more thanmax 10 pages, providing evidence of the knowledge mobilization efforts and societal impact;

  4. The names, organizational affiliations, and email addresses of six individuals who could be approached by NSERC to conduct an impartial review;

  5. A letter from the team (if applicable) identifying one member as the group spokesperson;

  6. A terms and conditions form for nominees signed by each nominee;

  7. A terms and conditions form for nominators signed by each nominator.

Deadline and Submission

Nominations must be received by NSERC no later than November 28, 2023 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.