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Killam Prizes 2027
Administered by the National Research Council of Canada as part of the National Killam Program, the Killam Prizes are among Canada’s most prestigious and distinguished research awards. Five unrestricted, non-taxable prizes of $100,000 are awarded annually to provide support to Canadian scholars of exceptional ability who are actively engaged in research of broad significance and widespread interest. One prize is awarded in each of the following fields: humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering. Candidates must be nominated by another individual who can provide compelling details regarding the nominee and their work, accomplishments, and impact.
Eligibility
Candidates must be Canadian citizens must have made a substantial and distinguished contribution, over a significant period, to scholarly research in Canada. Their outstanding achievements must have been clearly demonstrated already, and they are expected to make further contributions to the scholarly and scientific heritage of Canada.
Scholars may not self-nominate for the Killam Prizes; candidates must be nominated by another individual who can provide compelling details regarding the nominee and their work, accomplishments, and impact.
Application Process
A complete nomination package will consist of the following:
- Nomination form
- Signed nomination letter (max. 1,000 words) that provides a description of the nature of the nominee’s research and distinguished contributions, including why the nominee should be considered for the prize and the nature of the relationship with the nominee;
- Impact Statement (500 words) should demonstrate the nominee’s impact on their field of study, both within Canada and internationally and includes the nominee’s research trajectory in alignment with one or more of the Killam attributes:
- Inclusive collaborator - whose work exemplifies inclusion and understanding of people, cultures and needs with participation among all economic, social and cultural backgrounds
- Barrier breaker - whose original, transformational, future-focused generation of knowledge and/or technology stands to change the way we live
- Research leader - who activates thoughtful cooperation among scholars, disciplines and institutions to create a multiplier effect within the research ecosystem
- Three supporting letters from experts in the nominee's field (1,000 words each)
- New: One letter of support must be provided by an expert in the field who is arm's length from the nominee (an arm’s length referee must not be or have previous been the candidate’s supervisor, mentor, advisor, or collaborator, and must not have a close personal relationship with the candidate).
- New: Nominees who focus on community-based research must provide one additional letter of support from a community leader or a community member. This letter should focus on the importance of the nominee’s research to the community or communities.
- Nominee’s CV (max. 30 pages), which should include the following subheadings:
- publications
- presentations
- honours and awards
- other international recognition
- career metrics (can be in table format)
- Proof of eligibility - nominators and nominees attest that eligibility requirements have been met.
NOTE: to reduce the potential for unconscious bias in the evaluation process, Nominators and Referees are asked to please refer to nominees consistently by their surname(s), use gender-neutral pronouns, and remove institutional letterhead (Referee Letters only).
Resources
- Template CV - fillable
Institutional Coordination & Support
Nominations supported by Awards & Distinctions will receive the following:
- Assistance with identifying suitable referees
- Outreach to referees to secure support, providing them with required materials and guidelines. We will collect and submit referee letters, saving your referees from creating an online profile and going through the upload and verification process.
- Support for developing all written materials, and providing feedback and review (including access to templates, frameworks, and other resources)
- Completing and submitting electronic nomination forms
- Document management: collecting and compiling all letters, forms, and written documents for submission to the Killam portal according to guidelines
- Submitting final nominations by the deadline
EDID Supports
深夜福利站 Research offers support and resources for , , and . You can complete a to receive more information or request additional support. If you are unsure if your project involves Indigenous research, it is recommended that you contact 深夜福利站 Research early for determination and support.
Deadlines
Nominations may be submitted electronically through the .
- April 17, 2026 - Notice of Intent to Nominate - email rwprizes@uwo.ca if you wish to have Research Awards & Distinctions support and coordination of your nomination (which includes a full review of materials and securing letters of reference)
- May 14, 2026 - Draft nomination deadline
- May 28, 2026 - Final nomination deadline
Contact Us
Interested parties are encouraged to consult with Awards & Distinctions ( rwprizes@uwo.ca) in 深夜福利站 Research regarding this award and the nomination processes.