Royal Society of Canada

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC), Canada's national academy, coordinates three major programs recognizing outstanding achievements and extraordinary leadership in a wide variety of fields. Support for these awards and distinctions is provided through Research Western. For more information, please contact Julaine Hall, Research Development Officer (Awards & Distinctions).

Fellowship

Fellowship in the RSC is one of the highest research honours attainable by Canadian scholars, researchers and artists. Fellows are peer-elected as the best in their field, and thus represent the pinnacle of Canadian intellectual leadership. Nominations are accepted through the online Fellowship nomination system between May 1 and December 1 of every year.

The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists

In 2013/14, the RSC inaugurated its College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. The College is open to researchers of exceptional accomplishment or who demonstrate great potential, and who are not more than 15 years past conferral of their PhD or equivalent degree. Nominations are accepted through the College's online nomination system, opening December 2 of the year preceding the competition and closing March 1 of the competition year.

Medals and Awards

The RSC also offers a variety of prestigious medals and awards recognizing outstanding achievements by Canadian researchers. A letter inviting Fellows of the Society to nominate individuals for these awards is sent out before September 1 of each year. The online nomination system opens August 1 of the year preceding the competition and closes February 1 of the award year, except for the Rutherford Memorial Medals, which are due December 1 of the year preceding the award year.

Medals and Awards Offered

(Annually)

  • 
Environmental Science: Miroslaw Romanowski Medal

  • Humanities & Social Sciences: Konrad Adenauer Research Award

  • Medical Science: McLaughlin Medal

  • Physics, Chemistry: Rutherford Memorial Medals

  • Science Promotion: McNeil Medal

(Even-numbered Years)


  • Biology: Flavelle Medal

  • Canadian History:  J. B. Tyrrell Historical Medal

  • Gender Studies: Award in Gender Studies
  • 
Geology and Earth Science: Bancroft Award

  • Literature: Lorne Pierce Medal

  • Mathematics: John L. Synge Award

  • Social Sciences: Innis-Gérin Medal

(Odd-numbered Years)


  • Basic Science: Henry Marshall Tory Medal

  • Humanities: Pierre Chauveau Medal

  • Interdisciplinary: Sir John William Dawson Medal

Nomination

In general, nomination processes for all three RSC programs are similar, with minor differences. Nominators are encouraged to consult with Western's Awards & Distinctions team in Research Western. Nominations must be made by:

  • A Fellow of the RSC, plus two other co-nominators; or
  • The University President, plus two other co-nominators (co-nominators are not required for nominations to the College if the President is the primary nominator).

Nominees must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. A complete nomination packages consist of:

  • Three letters of nomination (from the Primary Nominator and two co-nominators);
  • A 70-word citation;
  • A 1,000-word appraisal of the nominee’s work and suitability for the award;
  • A CV;
  • A list of the nominee's 15 most-significant publications (Fellowship nomination only); and
  • Three letters of reference (not required for nominations to the College).