Impact Awards
The Impact Awards recognize outstanding researchers and celebrate their research achievements, research training, knowledge mobilization and outreach activities funded partially or entirely by SSHRC. The Awards are offered in five categories: Gold Medal, Insight, Partnership, Connection, and Talent.
- The Gold Medal: awarded to an individual whose sustained leadership, dedication and originality of thought have inspired both students and colleagues. SSHRC’s highest honour.
- The Insight Award: recognizes outstanding achievements arising from SSHRC-funded initiatives. It is given to an individual or a team whose initiative(s) have significantly contributed to knowledge and understanding about people, societies and the world.
- The Partnership Award: recognizes a SSHRC‑funded formal partnership for its outstanding achievement in advancing research, research training or knowledge mobilization, or developing a new partnership approach to research and/or related activities.
- The Connection Award: recognizes an outstanding SSHRC-funded initiative that facilitates the flow and exchange of research knowledge within and/or beyond the social sciences and humanities research community.
- The Talent Award: recognizes outstanding research achievements and career potential from a SSHRC doctoral or postdoctoral fellow, or scholarship holder.
Visit the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) website for more information on the Impact Awards.
Value and Duration
- Gold Medal: $100,000 over one year.
- Insight, Partnership, Connection, and Talent Awards: $50,000 over one year.
Deadline
April 1, 2025
Institutional Quota
Each institution can submit one nomination per category.
Information Sessions
SSHRC Impact Awards
View the slides from the 2025 information session.
Tri-Agency Impact Awards
View the slides from the 2025 information session.
How to Apply
Internal Process
Carleton University and SSHRC are committed to achieving a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive research enterprise to create the excellent, innovative and impactful research necessary to advance knowledge and understanding, and to respond to local, national and global challenges.
We encourage nominations from all eligible candidates, including candidates from equity-seeking groups.
You are invited to submit an online internal registration form for an eligible colleague or trainee. Self-nominations are also accepted.
Internal registration form deadline: December 17, 2024
Internal Evaluation
If more than one eligible registration form is received per category, candidates will be asked to complete an abbreviated nomination form to determine which candidate is to be nominated to the external SSHRC competition. A committee will review the abbreviated nomination forms using SSHRC’s evaluation criteria.
All candidates will be contacted after the internal nominations have been reviewed and ranked. The Carleton Office for Research Initiatives and Services (CORIS) will support selected nominees in the preparation of their external nomination dossier.
External Submission Steps
The Office of the Vice-President (Research, Innovation and International) (OVPRII) coordinates the submission of the nomination package. Each nomination must include a letter signed by Carleton’s President.
A cuResearch Approval Form is needed prior to submission.
Contact Us
Rachel Barken: rachel.barken@carleton.ca