Royal Society of Canada Awards

Eligibility

note: details about the Royal Society of Canada's annual deadlines are being shared in advance of confirmed timelines and processes for information only. All details will be finalized after RSC launches the 2026 calls (anticipated September) 

Candidates cannot apply on their own behalf and must be nominated for by an RSC Member (Fellow or current member of the College of New Scholars). To be eligible for an RSC award, candidates shall be Canadian citizens or have had status for at least three years as Canadian Permanent Residents at the time of their nomination.

Summary

The RSC administers over 20 prestigious awards in recognition of outstanding achievement.

Awards anticipated to be available for for the December 2026 deadline.

Alice Wilson Award - To three women of outstanding academic qualifications in the Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences or Science who are entering a career in scholarship or research at the postdoctoral level.

Henry Marshall Tory Medal - For outstanding research in any branch of astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, physics, or an allied science.

Jason A. Hannah Medal - For an important publication in the history of medicine.

John L. Synge Award - For outstanding research in any of the branches of the mathematical sciences.

Kitty Newman Award - For outstanding contributions from an emerging scholar in the field of philosophy.

McLaughlin Medal - For important research of sustained excellence in any branch of medical sciences.

Michael P. Païdoussis Medal - For outstanding contributions to research, education and leadership in applied mechanics. Solid continuum mechanics, fluid mechanics and fluid-structure interaction are all included.

Miroslaw Romanowski Medal - For scientific work relating to environmental problems.

Pierre Chauveau Medal - For a distinguished contribution to knowledge in the humanities.

RSC Eric Jackman Prize - For path-breaking and sustained scientific contributions to preventing harm, strengthening resilience, or otherwise benefiting humankind through research in one or more behavioural and social science fields. 

RSC Prize for Indigenous Engagement - For outstanding contributions including research / scholarship, advancement of Indigenous knowledge, and engagement with reconciliation. 

Rutherford Memorial Medals - For outstanding research in physics and in chemistry.

Sir John William Dawson Medal - For important contributions of knowledge in multiple domains.

Yvan Allaire Medal - For outstanding contributions in governance of public and private organizations. 

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Application deadlines

Program application deadline

No institutional approvals are required for this award nomination. 

The RSO Pre-Application deadline listed as noon, October 19, 2026 is for an optional review by the SUPPORT: Research Awards Committee.

SUPPORT: Research Awards Committee

The SUPPORT: Research Awards Committee is now available to review and provide feedback to strengthen nominations for major research prizes and awards and advise on the suitability of award nominations. SUPPORT will also review the CV of a potential nominee and advise on their suitability for nomination at this time.

If you wish for the SUPPORT: Research Awards committee to review and provide feedback on a nomination package, please include:

• a citation (see below - item 4)
• a detailed appraisal of the candidate's record (see below - item 5)
• an up-to-date CV (see below - item 7)

If additional components of the nomination package are available by the SUPPORT deadline, the committee would be pleased to review all available materials.

SUPPORT Nomination Review Deadline: Noon, October 19, 2026

Submission:

Please ensure follow the instructions in the 2026 guide. Click here to view examples.

A complete nomination consists of the following elements

1. Nomination form
2. Letter of nomination from the Primary Nominator
3. Citation (max 70 words)
4. Detailed appraisal (max 1200 words)
5. Three letters of reference (max 750 words per letter)
6. Three bio from referees (max 250 words)
7. Curriculum Vitae (max 20 pages)