Sponsor
Canadian Science Policy Centre
Description
The CSPC Trailblazer Awards recognize individuals who have positively and significantly impacted Canada’s science, technology and innovation policy ecosystem through vision, creativity and impact. These individuals have been instrumental in boldly spearheading change via one or more transformative initiatives, while blazing a trail and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
CSPC 2026 will present four Trailblazer Awards, one in each of the categories:
- Policy for Science Award - refers to the set of governmental policies or institutional strategies, decisions and frameworks that shape the funding, priorities, infrastructure and governance of scientific research and development. It involves creating conditions that support scientific innovation, including investments in research institutions, training of scientists and development of science infrastructure. Policy for science also encompasses research integrity, EDIA and international collaboration, ultimately aiming to strengthen the scientific enterprise to advance knowledge, economic development and societal well-being.
- Science for Policy Award - refers to the use of scientific knowledge, evidence and expertise to inform and support decision-making in public policy. It involves translating complex scientific research into accessible insights that can guide the development, implementation and evaluation of policies across various sectors, including (but not limited to) health, environment, technology, security, education and justice. Science for policy emphasizes evidence-based policymaking, where decisions are grounded in reliable data, research and knowledge rather than opinion or ideology.
- Innovation Policy Award - refers to policies and public strategies, regulations and initiatives aimed at promoting the development, diffusion and application of new ideas, technologies, products and services. It seeks to enhance the capacity for innovation to drive economic growth, competitiveness and social well-being. Innovation policy encompasses support for research and development entrepreneurship and education, digital infrastructure, social innovation and collaboration between industry, academia and government.
- Science & Society Award - refers to areas that strengthen public understanding and engagement with science, including the relationship between science and society. This includes but is not limited to science communication, education, journalism, public engagement, citizen science and more.
Youth Award: This award recognizes an individual under the age of 35 who proposes an innovative and compelling evidence-based policy proposal that will make a positive impact to Canadian society, economy and/or environment. Proposals should be connected to one or more of the tracks of the 2026 CSPC Conference listed below:
CSPC 2026 Conference Theme and Tracks
Theme: Sovereignty by Design: Mobilizing Action to Reshape Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation Capacity.
Tracks:
- Track 1: STI, Sovereignty and National Capability
- Track 2: The Challenge of Implementation – Coordination and Collaboration
- Track 3: Productivity, Competitiveness and Economic Transformation
- Track 4: Civil Society, Public Trust, Social Cohesion and Democratic Resilience
- Track 5: Talent Development and Future Skills
- Track 6: Science and Innovation Diplomacy and Geopolitical Shift
- Track 7: Northern and Arctic Knowledge and Innovation – Key to Canadian Sovereignty?
For a more detailed description of the conference themes and tracks, please visit the CSPC 2026 theme and tracks website.
Eligibility
Trailblazer Award Eligiblity:
- Nominees must be residents of Canada or Canadian citizens living abroad.
- Nominees can be at any stage of their career.
- Nominees can be from any sector, including industry, government, academia, not-for-profit organizations, media, etc.
- Scores and feedback provided by the Awards Selection Committee will not be disclosed for any reason.
- Upon Nominees’ consent, the CSPC reserves the right to profile any Impact Statement in all conference materials and on the CSPC website before, during and after the event.
- The CSPC and the Awards Selection Committee members will not release any confidential information from the nomination form.
- The current CSPC Board, staff, Award Committee volunteers and members of the Awards Selection Committee cannot nominate anyone nor be nominated
Youth Award: Eligible recipients for the Science Policy Youth Award include all individuals under 35 years old who are residents of Canada, or Canadians living abroad, regardless of their field of study or work. The CSPC is fully committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and encourages all qualified participants to apply.
Prize
The award winners will be recognized prominently at the Gala as part of the 18th Canadian Science and Innovation Policy Conference (CSPC 2026), held in Ottawa from November 25-27, 2026.
Deadlines
If College-level review is required, your College will communicate its earlier internal deadlines.
| Type | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
External Deadline | Please submit the nomination using the nomination form on the CSPC website (Trailblazer form; Youth Award form). Please also submit a copy of the full nomination to research.services@uoguelph.ca. |
How to Apply
Please submit the nomination using the nomination form on the CSPC website (Trailblazer form; Youth Award form). Further nomination criteria can be found on the CSPC website.
Please also submit a copy of the full nomination to research.services@uoguelph.ca.
For More Information
Visit the CSPC website or contact awards.prix@sciencepolicy.ca or kkariyap@uoguelph.ca.