Sponsor
Research Innovation Office
Description
The Research Innovation Office is pleased to invite nominations for the Innovation of the Year Award - 2026.
The University of Guelph has a long history of innovative research that improves life and encourages creativity, innovation and translation of knowledge beyond the academic environment for the greatest possible benefit of society. This includes the development of products or services from innovations created at the University.
The Innovation of the Year Award has been developed to recognize and celebrate Guelph innovations that have made, or have the potential to make, significant socioeconomic impacts for Canada and beyond.
Since the award was initiated in 2016, 15 innovations have been recognized, representing work conducted by researchers across campus, and those innovations continue to achieve impact in diverse areas including animal health, food packaging, the environment, education and human wellness.
NOTE: Nominations remain in the pool for consideration in future years. Resubmissions are encouraged to ensure the committee has the most up-to-date information on the innovation’s impact.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the award, innovations must have been made by faculty, staff, students and/or trainees engaged in research while at the University of Guelph. Nominated innovations should be generating social or economic impact beyond the academic environment.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date |
|---|---|
Internal Deadline |
How to Apply
Nominations can be made by anyone, including self-nominations. Each nomination can be submitted using the nomination link, which will ask for the following information:
- Name of nominated innovation
- Name of researcher/team
- A brief description of the innovation, including what it is and the problem/opportunity it addresses
- The application of the innovation beyond the academic environment
- The demonstrated or emerging impact(s) of the innovation on society, health, the environment and/or economic development, including at least one example
Award Nomination Process:
Nominations may be submitted online using 2026 Innovation of the Year Nomination form between Monday, May 18 and Friday, July 17 at 12:00 pm (noon).