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 four categories: Gold Medal, Insight, Partnership, 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 outstanding achievement and societal impact of a project funded through SSHRC’s Research Partnerships opportunities in advancing knowledge through research partnerships and/or collaborative knowledge mobilization activities, all while supporting the next generation of scholars.
- 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, and Talent Awards: $50,000 over one year.
Deadline
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Internal registration form | January 12, 2026 |
| Internal cuResearch Approval Form | March 25, 2026 |
| Submission of nomination package to SSHRC | April 1, 2026 |
Information Sessions
English: January 22, 2026, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
French: January 22, 2026, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Please refer to the Impact Awards website to join the webinar.
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 deadline: January 7, 2026
Internal Evaluation
CORIS will provide intensive support to a total of four Impact Award nominations. Intensive support will include: holding kick-off meetings, contacting referees and securing letters of reference, collaborating with the nominee to prepare all application materials, administrative review, and submission.
CORIS will provide limited support to any additional candidates who wish to apply. Limited support will include administrative review and submission.
If more than four eligible registration forms are submitted, candidates will be asked to complete an abbreviated nomination form. A committee will review the abbreviated nomination forms using SSHRC’s evaluation criteria to select four candidates to receive intensive support.
All nominations are subject to approval from the Vice-President (Research, Innovation and International).
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