ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ

SSHRC Impact Awards are designed to build on and sustain Canada’s research-based knowledge culture in the social sciences and humanities. The awards recognize outstanding researchers and celebrate their achievements in research, research training, knowledge mobilization and outreach activities funded partially or completely by SSHRC.

Award funds are to be used for activities that promote and extend the work being honoured, and at least 10% must be used to promote the recipient’s research achievements.

• Gold Medal ($100,000): SSHRC's highest research honour. It is awarded to individuals whose sustained leadership, dedication and originality of thought have inspired students and colleagues alike. Recipients' achievements in research will have significantly advanced understanding in their research fields in the social sciences and humanities.
• Insight Award ($50,000): Recognizes outstanding achievement arising from a research project funded partially or completely by SSHRC. It is given to an individual or team (maximum, six people) whose project has resulted in significant contribution to knowledge and understanding about people, societies and the world.
• Partnership Award ($50,000): Recognizes outstanding achievement and societal impact of a project funded through SSHRC’s funding opportunities in advancing knowledge through research partnerships and/or collaborative knowledge mobilization activities, all while supporting the next generation of scholars.
• Talent Award ($50,000): Recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual who, on April 1, 2026, holds a SSHRC doctoral scholarship or fellowship or postdoctoral fellowship. This includes, but is not limited to, a Canada Graduate Scholarship, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship or Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship.
• Jury Prize ($25,000): May be awarded, in any of the four Impact Award categories, that the jury considered uniquely outstanding in demonstrating excellence in areas related to research, research-creation, communication and/or knowledge mobilization in the social sciences and humanities, within or beyond the academic community. All SSHRC Impact nominees will be automatically considered for this prize category.

Eligibility

Nominees for the awards must:

• be Canadian citizens or permanent residents or a “protected person” under subsection 95(2) of Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, by the nomination deadline;
• hold or have held SSHRC funding pertinent to the Award; and
• maintain affiliation with an eligible institution for the duration of the Impact Award.

Note: Nominees can be nominated in two sequential years for the same award.  After that, two years must pass before they can be nominated again in the same category.
 

Nomination Process

ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ Internal Selection

Expression of Interest (EOI): January 16, 2026

Each institution may submit only one nomination for each award category in a given year. Accordingly, anyone wishing to nominate a colleague or be considered for nomination in any category must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to rwprizes@uwo.ca. Please include the name of the nominee and the SSHRC Impact Award category. 

Internal Adjudication Submission: January 30, 2026

*required in the event of multiple nominees in any 2026 SSHRC Impact Award category

Please ensure all submitted documents align with .

Send your Internal Adjudication Nomination Package to rwprizes@uwo.ca. 

• A draft letter or nomination ratione (two-three pages) that outlines how you/your nominee meets the criteria described on the website, specifically:
  • the program of research, research activities, and achievements relevant to the award category;
  • the overall contribution to their field(s) of research;
  • the level of engagement with, and the quality and scope of training and mentoring;
  • evidence that outcomes resulted in significant and positive impacts, relative to discipline-specific norms, in Canada and/or internationally.
• The nominee’s current Tri-Council CV (TCV)
  • ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ Tri Agency CV Resources
• Names and contact information of 5-6 external reviewers.

All received submissions will be screened for eligibility and will be reviewed and ranked by a central selection committee. The committee composition will be selected from the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ College of Reviewers.
 

SSHRC Nomination Process

1. Institutional nomination process (one-page maximum):
   • provided by ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ Research 
2. Institutional nomination letter and rationale (three pages maximum):
   • describe the program of research, research activities, and achievements relevant to the Impact Award for which the candidate is being nominated;
   • provide a summary of the nominee’s overall contribution to their field(s) of research;
   • outline the level of engagement with, and the quality and scope of training and mentoring;
   • provide evidence that outcomes resulted in significant and positive impacts, relative to discipline-specific norms, in Canada and/or internationally; 
   • demonstrate that the outcomes resulted in significant and positive impacts in Canada and/or internationally.
3. Information supporting the nomination:
   • Include, as appropriate, a detailed list of research contributions, outcomes, and other activities mentioned in general terms in the nomination letter;
     • publications and conference presentations
     • training and supervision
     • creative outputs
     • awards and prizes
     • other research contributions and activities
     • outcomes
   • Page limits for this section are:
     • up to six pages for the Gold Medal, covering the span of the nominee’s career;
     • up to three pages for the Insight and Partnership awards;
     • up to two pages for the Talent award.
4. Tri-agency CV (TCV)
   • You can either complete the “My Information” section by selecting existing entries in your profile or by adding them directly. There are four main sections:
     • CV Education
     • CV Affiliations
     • CV Interruptions and Special Circumstances
     • TCV Document
   • More information about the TCV can be found through these links:
     • ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ Tri Agency CV Resources
5. Three letters of support (max 2 pages each) from referees. 
   • must be established authorities in the nominee’s field;
   • cannot be from ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ or be individuals who are or were involved in the project or projects being put forward (excpet for the Talent Award).
   • Note: The reference letters must be provided before the nomination can be submitted to SSHRC.
6. Sensitive Technology Research Areas
   • In accordance with the (STRAC), you must indicate in this section whether research and related activities funded by this grant will aim to advance any of the areas in the (STRAs) list.
     • If you answered “No”, you will not need to take any further steps under this policy.
     • If you answered “Yes”, you must collect and submit attestation forms from the nominee, co-applicants and collaborators, as applicable, certifying that they have read, understand and are compliant with this policy .

EDID Resources

ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ Research offers support and resources for knowledge mobilization, Indigenous research, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization. You can complete a to receive more information or request additional support. If you are unsure if your project involves Indigenous research, it is recommended that you contact ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ Research early for determination and support.
 

Deadline and Submission

Incomplete nominations will not be accepted.

Nomination packages will be submitted using the .

ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ internal deadline for Expression of Interest: email rwprizes@uwo.ca by January 16, 2026.

Internal Adjudication Submission: email rwprizes@uwo.ca by January 30, 2026.

Final nomination submission deadline: April 1, 2026.
 

Contact Us

Interested parties are encouraged to contact rwprizes@uwo.ca regarding these awards and the nomination processes.