SSHRC Impact 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. Award funds must be used within three years on activities promoting and extending the honoured work. Gold Medal funds must be used within one year. At least 10% must be used to promote recipient’s research achievements.

• Gold Medal ($100,000): SSHRC’s highest research honour. 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
• Connection Award ($50,000):Recognizes an outstanding SSHRC‑funded initiative to facilitate the flow and exchange of research knowledge within and/or beyond the academic community. It is given to an individual or team whose project has engaged the campus and/or wider community
• Partnership Award ($50,000):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.
• Talent Award ($50,000):Recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual who, on March 6, 2018, holds a SSHRC doctoral or postdoctoral fellowship or scholarship (including, but not limited to, a Canada Graduate Scholarship, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship or Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship).

Nomination Process
Internal Process: *The institution may only submit one nominee in each category.  Interested parties must submit by email to Julaine Hall (julaine.hall@uwo.ca) in RDSE  a notice of interest including the following:

• The name of the potential candidate
• The SSHRC Impact Award they would like the potential candidate to be considered for
• A current CV

All received submissions will be screened for eligibility and, in the case of multiple potential nominees in a given category, will be reviewed and ranked by the SSHRC ADRs.

SSHRC Nomination Process:

1. A cover letter (2 pages) which includes the signature of the nominating institution’s president
2. A nomination rationale (2 pages) describing the initiative to be honoured
3. Nominee’s CV and disclosure forms, plus CVs of any co-applicants
4. Supporting information for nomination rationale (3 pages for Insight, Connection and Partnership Awards; 2 pages for Talent Award and 6 pages for the Gold Medal)
5. A promotion plan (2 pages) outlining Western’s plan to promote and celebrate the impact and outcomes of the nominee’s achievements.
6. Three letters of support (max 2 pages each) from referees.

Important Dates:
January 8, 2018    Internal deadline for submitting a notice of interest to RDSE
March 6, 2018       Final submission deadline
September, 2018     Results are announced

Further details and award guidelines can be found online: http://www.uwo.ca/research/excellence/awards/sshrc_impact.html

 photo credit: Andrew G Thomas Mclaren Orange via photopin (license)