Call for Nominations

Nomination deadline: September 1, 2010

The NSERC Awards for Science Promotion focus on people and groups who are inspirational in the way they promote science to the general public.

Science promotion activities with award potential could include activities such as:

• organizing science camps, fairs, clubs or programs with youth organizations;
• creating new learning materials;
• developing science- and engineering-related co-op programs or job shadowing initiatives;
• arranging demonstrations, visits and lectures;
• creating new learning materials;
• writing books and articles;
• creating radio or television programs; and
• generating public involvement through multi-media programs.

Eligibility

Any individual, organization or company within Canada may be nominated for the award. Nominees will have made a successful and sustained effort to encourage public interest in, and an understanding of, the natural sciences and engineering (including math and technology) outside the formal education system.

Past winners of a Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion are not eligible to be nominated a second time. Exceptions may be made for organizations or individuals who are, or were, linked with a Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion winning umbrella organization. In order to qualify, the achievements of any nominee (group or individual) must be distinct from the umbrella group as a whole. Such nominations must include a letter from the umbrella organization confirming the distinct nature of the activities. Furthermore, no consideration will be given to any aspect of the umbrella organization or its activities during the review process.

Note: In the context of the NSERC Awards for Science Promotion program, NSERC defines an umbrella organization as an association of groups that work together formally to coordinate activities or pool resources. The umbrella organization provides services, support, resources and/or an identity to the smaller organizations.

Nomination Process and Selection Criteria

Anyone with direct knowledge of an individual’s or group's contribution to science and engineering promotion may nominate that candidate for an NSERC Award for Science Promotion. Nominators may be colleagues or people who have benefited from the nominee’s contributions, such as teachers, parents, community members or administrators. Individuals and groups can even nominate themselves.

To nominate a candidate for an NSERC Award for Science Promotion, fill in the PDF form, print and sign it, and mail it in to NSERC with the application.

The submission must also contain the following (printed on 8.5” x 11” [21.5 cm x 28 cm] paper; Times New Roman 12-point or comparable font, single spaced):

1. A letter or document that describes (three pages maximum):
   • the nominee’s efforts and involvement in inspiring public understanding and developing abilities in science and engineering;
   • the impact and duration of the nominee’s activities (Note: nominators are encouraged to include specific measures of impact); and
   • the project’s content, originality and scope.
2. Three signed letters of recommendation; and
3. Supporting documentation (such as promotional material, participant feedback, media coverage, publications, awards) (four pages maximum).

Submissions and support material become the property of NSERC and will not be returned. Do not include videos or CD ROMS.

Selection Committee

Nominations are reviewed by the PromoScience and NSERC Awards for Science Promotion Selection Committee. Members are chosen from the science and engineering promotion community and the education community based on their stature and expertise.

Announcement

The names of the award recipients will be announced at a public ceremony.