Sponsor
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
Program
Science Promotion
Description
The NSERC Awards for Science Promotion focus on people and groups who are inspirational in the way they promote science to the general public.
Science promotion activities with award potential could include activities such as:
- organizing science camps, fairs, clubs or programs with youth organizations;
- creating new learning materials;
- developing science and engineering-related co-op programs or job shadowing initiatives;
- arranging demonstrations, visits and lectures;
- writing books and articles;
- creating radio or television programs;
- generating public involvement through multi-media programs.
Eligibility
Any individual, registered non-profit organization, postsecondary institution, non-federal museum, science centre or company within Canada may be nominated for the award. Nominees will have made a successful and sustained effort (as a guideline, typically over the course of at least 5 years) to encourage public interest in, and an understanding of, the natural sciences and engineering (including math and technology) outside the formal education system. Posthumous or self-nominations will not be accepted. Current NSERC Council members are not eligible for nomination.
Past winners of an NSERC Award (or a Michael Smith Award) for Science Promotion are not eligible to be nominated a second time. Exceptions may be made for organizations or individuals who are, or were, linked with an NSERC Award (or a Michael Smith Award) for Science Promotion winning organization. In order to qualify, the achievements of any nominee (group or individual) must be distinct from the organization as a whole. Such nominations must include a letter from the organization confirming the distinct nature of the activities. Furthermore, no consideration will be given to any aspect of the organization or its activities during the review process.
Prize
Individual recipients will receive a $10,000 award and group recipients a $25,000 award. In both cases, the funds are to support further science promotion activities. Funds paid to winners of this prize are subject to the PromoScience Grants Guide.
Special Notes
Please note that research activities carried out in the context of COVID-19 need to adhere to the University of Guelph COVID-19 research principles, policies, guidelines and processes as they may be updated from time to time and communicated on the Office of Research web-page.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
External Deadline | Please submit directly to NSERC Awards for Science Promotion by the external deadline. Please also submit a copy of the full nomination and OR-5 to research.services@uoguelph.ca. |
How to Apply
Anyone with direct knowledge of an individual’s or group's contribution to science and engineering promotion may nominate that candidate for an NSERC Award for Science Promotion. Nominators may be colleagues or people who have benefited from the nominee’s contributions, such as teachers, parents, community members or administrators.
The nomination package should include:
- A description of the nominee’s promotion activities,
- Three signed letters of recommendation,
- Supporting documentation,
- and two signed Terms and Conditions Forms, one for the Nominees and another for the Nominators
Nominations must be submitted electronically using the Secure Submissions for NSERC's Innovative Collaborations and Science Promotion Programs.
Please submit a copy of the full nomination and OR-5 to research.services@uoguelph.ca by the external deadline.
For more information, contact research.honours@uoguelph.ca or promoscience@nserc-crsng.gc.ca.