Sponsor
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada
Program
Gerhard Herzberg Canada Medal
Description
The Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering is awarded annually to an individual whose body of work, conducted in Canada in the natural sciences or engineering, has demonstrated persistent excellence and influence. It celebrates Canada's most outstanding scientists and engineers, raising public awareness about the major contributions that Canada's top researchers make to science and technology and to improving the lives of Canadians.
Eligibility
As of the deadline, the nominee must be a scientist or engineer employed at a Canadian university, Canadian federal or provincial government lab or private firm active in Canada whose research is primarily based in the fields of the natural sciences and/or engineering. NSERC reserves the right to rule on the eligibility of nominees.The nominators must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada. Posthumous or self-nominations will not be accepted.
The nominee must be a scientist or engineer employed at a Canadian university, Canadian federal or provincial government lab or private firm active in Canada whose research is primarily based in the fields of the natural sciences and/or engineering.
The nominee's work must demonstrate a high degree of expertise, creativity, imagination, leadership, perseverance and dedication.
Prize
In addition to the medal, the recipient is awarded a grant of up to $1 million to use for personal university-based research or to direct research in some related way, such as the establishment of scholarships or research chairs in their name at Canadian universities. The monetary award is distributed over a five-year period. Research grant funds paid to recipients of this prize are subject to the Tri-agency guide on financial administration.
If the recipient already has an NSERC Discovery Grant (DG), that grant is increased up to a maximum of $200,000 for each of the five years. The value of the Herzberg award is added to funds already scheduled through the DG program. In cases where the grant is currently greater than $150,000, the recipient will receive an additional $50,000 top-up to the grant for the five years of the Herzberg award.
A recipient who does not hold an NSERC DG may direct the full $200,000 to university research endeavours, such as scholarships.
In addition to the medal, the winner is awarded a grant of up to $1 million to use for personal university-based research or to direct in some related way, such as the establishment of scholarships or research Chairs in their name at Canadian universities. The monetary award is distributed over a five-year period. Research grant funds paid to winners of this prize are subject to the Tri-Agency Financial Administration 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 |
|---|---|---|
Internal Deadline | If you wish to be considered for VPR nomination:
Career interruptions due to parental leave, family care, extended illness or community responsibilities will not negatively impact the committee’s assessment of a candidate’s research productivity. These will be taken into consideration when EOIs are assessed. | |
External Deadline | If your nomination will be submitted by a nominator other than the VPR, please submit directly to the sponsor by the external deadline. Please also submit a copy of the full nomination and OR-5 to research.services@uoguelph.ca. |
How to Apply
The Vice-President (Research) encourages nominations for this prestigious award and will serve as nominator for one nominee recommended by the Honours and Awards Advisory Committee. If you wish to nominate a colleague or to be considered for VPR nomination:
- We recommend discussing your interest in this award with your College Research Manager and Associate Dean (Research).
- Submit an Expression of Interest and a CV to ailsakay@uoguelph.ca and copy your College Research Manager by the internal deadline.
Career interruptions due to parental leave, family care, extended illness or community responsibilities will not negatively impact the committee’s assessment of a candidate’s research productivity. These will be taken into consideration when EOIs are assessed.
If your nomination will be submitted by a nominator other than the VPR, please submit directly to the sponsor by the external deadline. Please also submit a copy of the full nomination and OR-5 to research.services@uoguelph.ca.
For More Information
For more information, contact ailsakay@uoguelph.ca or visit the NSERC Gerhard Herzberg Gold Medal website.