The Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) recognizes the efforts of individuals who make exceptional contributions to the field of science policy, as well as the efforts of the youth who demonstrate the possibilities of innovative, evidence-based policies that positively impact Canadians.
Youth Award
This award recognizes a young individual (student, postdoctoral fellow, researcher, entrepreneur, etc.) under the age of 35 who proposes an innovative and compelling evidence-based policy that will make a positive difference to Canadians. This award is designed not only to highlight innovative, evidence-driven policy ideas by policy students and young professionals, but also to encourage young people not currently studying, or working on, public policy to share their policy ideas.
Eligible recipients include all young Canadian residents under 35, regardless of their field of study or work.
Trailblazer Awards
The CSPC Trailblazer Awards recognize individuals who have positively and significantly impacted Science, Technology, Innovation and Society in Canada through leadership, vision, courage, and commitment in a novel and creative way. These individuals have been instrumental in boldly spearheading change via one or more transformative initiatives, while blazing a trail and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
CSPC 2026 will present four Trailblazer Awards, one in each of the categories:
CSPC encourages nominations from all disciplines of policy and science (natural sciences, engineering and technology, health and life sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities) and from all sectors (governments at all levels, academia, private and nonprofit sectors, media and others).
Please note that this award does not consider technological or scientific discoveries, inventions, or innovations.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Lifetime achievement award winners are nominated and selected by the CSPC Board of Directors. If you would like to recommend an individual to be considered, please contact [email protected].
The Lifetime Achievement Award by the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) recognizes exceptional individuals who have demonstrated sustained excellence and leadership in advancing science and innovation policy in Canada. This award honours individuals whose careers have had a significant, lasting, and meaningful impact on the Canadian science policy landscape, and who have consistently championed and inspired the science and innovation policy community over many years. Each individual may receive the Science Policy Lifetime Achievement Award only once.
Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award are nominated and selected by the CSPC Board of Directors.
CSPC welcomes recommendations from individuals and organizations wishing to bring forward the names of candidates whose professional achievements and contributions merit consideration for this distinction. The CSPC is firmly committed to the principles of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and encourages the nomination of individuals from all backgrounds, sectors, and communities.
The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be selected by the CSPC Board of Directors. If you would like to recommend an individual to be considered, please contact [email protected]. All recommended names will be submitted to the CSPC Board of Directors.
