The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) has released its call for nominations for the 2016 Impact Awards:  http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs-programmes/impact_awards-prix_impacts-eng.aspx. I encourage you to share this information widely and consider preparing a nomination of your colleagues.

The four awards are:

Gold Medal for sustained leadership, dedication and originality of thought. $100,000
Insight Award for outstanding achievement arising from a research project funded partially or completely by SSHRC. $50,000
Connection Award for an outstanding SSHRC-funded initiative to facilitate the flow and exchange of research knowledge within and/or beyond the academic community. $50,000
Partnership Award recognizing a SSHRC-funded formal partnership for its outstanding achievement in advancing research, research training, or knowledge mobilization. $50,000

The University of Toronto may submit only one nomination to each of these awards.  As such, I am establishing a small advisory committee of representatives from across the social sciences and humanities to review nominations and select the University’s nominees for 2016.

To submit a candidate for consideration by the University of Toronto review committee, please contact your Divisional/Faculty awards coordinator/officer and arrange to have sent to my Office by 5:00 p.m. February 19, 2016, the name of the candidate, the name of the award for which s/he is being nominated, her/his CV, and a one-page rationale for why s/he should be the University’s institutional nominee for a particular award.

Please note that Academic Divisions or Departments may set their own internal deadlines and review processes.  Accordingly, please consult with your Divisional/Faculty awards coordinator/officer first if you are planning on submitting a nomination.

One candidate will be selected for each award, and my team will work with the Divisional/Faculty awards coordinator/officer to facilitate the development of the full nomination and ensure its submission to SSHRC by its deadline of April 5, 2016.

For further information, please contact your Divisional/Faculty awards coordinator/officer.

Note: The Talent Award for outstanding achievement by an individual who holds a SSHRC doctoral or postdoctoral scholarship is administered by the School of Graduate Studies.  For more information, please contact Jessica Finlayson, jessica.finlayson@utoronto.ca.