Leadership in Advocacy Awards

Celebrating champions of Canadian health research

Recognizing excellence in our community for over ten years

Canadian health researchers contribute in magnificent and different ways to the health and well-being of Canadians. They are instrumental in making global medical advancements and in ensuring Canadians are the healthiest people in the world. Their dedication to discovery and to all aspects of our health has changed lives and improved our nation.

Recognition of Canadian health research—the kind that attracts the necessary public and political support—often comes from the dedicated and tireless efforts of health research advocates who educate policymakers, the media and the public about the social and economic benefits of health research and its promise of future cures and a better quality of life for all Canadians. It is through the work of these leaders in health research advocacy that health research becomes a high priority for all governments and for all Canadians.

The Research Canada Leadership in Advocacy Awards honour these champions in health research advocacy. On an annual basis, Research Canada recognizes emerging leaders, individual(s) and/or organization(s) who/which have made outstanding efforts in advocating for Canadian health research at the local, provincial and/or national level.

Nominations for the 2025 Leadership in Advocacy Awards are now open.

Do you know someone making a difference in health research advocacy? Submit a nomination and help us recognize the champions driving Canadian health research forward!

View criteria

Please take a moment to carefully review the eligibility criteria for each award.

We have also put together examples to assist in the nomination process.

If you have any questions, please email awards@researchcanada.org.

Organization Eligibility Criteria

Individual Eligibility Criteria

Emerging Leader Eligibility Criteria

Submit a Nomination

Thank you for your interest in submitting a nomination for the 2025 Leadership in Advocacy Awards. Please use the form below to complete your submission, and be sure to review the eligibility criteria prior to submitting to ensure the submission is eligible.

All submissions are due by May 16, 2025 at 4:59 p.m (EST).

Nominees may be an individual or organization/company/institution who or which represents or is drawn from a stakeholder group across the health innovation continuum: government, academe, industry, non-governmental (not for profit sector), patients, health consumers. All nominees must be Canadian.

Nominations are accepted from Research Canada’s Members, Supporters and Partners. A secondary nominator is required for the nomination to be considered and cannot originate from a current member of Research Canada’s Award Selection Committee. Any nomination submitted may be considered for up to two award cycles.

Nomination form

Award category *

Organization Individual Emerging Leader

Nominee name* *

Nominee title* *

Nominee organization* *

Nominee email* *

Nominee phone

Primary nominator name* *

Primary nominator title* *

Primary nominator organization* *

Primary nominator email* *

Primary nominator phone

Secondary nominator name* *

Secondary nominator title* *

Secondary nominator organization* *

Secondary nominator email* *

Secondary nominator phone

Reason for nomination* *

Signed nomination letter on company letterhead from primary nominator *

Signed nomination letter on company letterhead from secondary nominator *

Nominee's CV *

Any other supporting documents