2021 Killam Prizes

Please find below information regarding the 2021 Call for Nominations for theKillam Prizeswhich recognizescholars of exceptional ability who are engaged in research of broad significance and widespread interest. Further details are in the attached memo.
This information should be circulated to faculty members to ensure their familiarity with the nomination process. All Research Offices and interested nominators/nominees should check for updated nomination forms and guidelines on the Canada Council’s website after April 30, when new materials are expected to be posted.
Killam Prizes
The Killam Prizes honour active, distinguished Canadian scholars who have been engaged in research in universities, hospitals, research or scientific institutes, or other similar institutions and are making a signification impact in their respective fields. Valued at $100,000 each, they are awarded annually on a competitive basis to distinguished Canadian scholars doing research in any of the following disciplines:
humanitiessocial sciencesnatural scienceshealth sciencesengineering
Normally, one prize is awarded each year in each of the five disciplines.
Eligibility
Killam Prizes are intended for active (not retired) Canadian scholars who have made asubstantial and distinguished contributionto scholarly research over asignificant period of time. It is not intended as an “end of service” reward, as recognition for one great accomplishment, or in expectation of future distinguished contributions.
Scholars may not apply for the Killam Prizes; they must be nominated by anexpertin their field.
Only Canadian citizens are eligible for this honour, and prizes are awarded only to living candidates.
Applications from women and members of under-represented groups are particularly encouraged.
Assessment of Nominations
Peer evaluation is fundamental to the Canada Council’s decision-making process. The Killam Selection Committee is selected with consideration to fair representation of various artistic and scholarly disciplines, gender, generations, Canada’s two official languages, Indigenous peoples, and the cultural and regional diversity of Canada. The Killam Selection Committee will choose the prize recipients by evaluating the nominations on their merit, compared with each other in a national context. The prizes will be offered to those candidates considered outstanding by the committee.
The following points will figure prominently in the selection of the candidates being considered for the Killam Prize:
the exceptional quality of the candidate’s research achievements;evidence of the candidate’s outstanding commitment, creativity and efforts to share research knowledge beyond the academic community;the enduring contribution of the candidate’s ideas and research results to Canadian society, including the nation’s intellectual and/or cultural life;the scope of the candidate’s research contributions, taking into account the norms of the field of study; andwhere appropriate, the international stature of the candidate.
Equity
The Canada Council for the Arts iscommittedto equity and inclusion, and encourages applications from culturally diverse, Deaf, disability and official language minority artists, groups and organizations. The Canada Council recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Indigenous peoples of this land and encourages applications from First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, groups, and organizations in all its programs.Measuresare in place in all programs to support these commitments.
Nomination Process
The Strategic and Institutional Research Initiatives (SIRI) unit will support nominations as requested. Nominees and nominators will work with the SIRI Specialist and Faculty-based research support personnel (as appropriate) to prepare the full nomination package for submission. As such,nominees are asked to notify the SIRI Awards and Nominations Specialist (see Contact below) as soon as possibleof their intent to pursue a Killam Prize.
SIRI will also arrange for a peer review of the draft nomination package utilizing support from University Canada’s Global Excellence Initiative.
Anyone pursuing a nomination that will not be directly supported by SIRI is still asked to inform their Research Offices.
Relevant Deadlines
DATEMILESTONEApril 30Faculties to request support for nominationsMay 19Draft of materials due for external peer reviewJune 23Full nomination and signed ORS Checklist due to ORSJune 30Canada Council for the Arts deadline