Doctoral Research Leadership Award

The Sprott Doctoral Research Leadership Award recognizes PhD students who demonstrate exceptional research excellence and an emerging ability to communicate their work with clarity, purpose, and relevance. This annual award honours doctoral researchers who bring rigour and depth to meaningful questions in their field and who show a commitment to sharing their findings in ways that inform professional practice, policy, and public understanding.

Recipients are scholars of distinction who are developing the voice and vision of a next-generation research leader. One award may be granted annually when the standard of nominations warrants recognition.

Purpose and Spirit of the Award

Doctoral education at Sprott produces researchers who do not simply advance knowledge within their disciplines; they develop the capacity to lead scholarly conversations and engage audiences beyond the academy. The Doctoral Research Leadership Award exists to recognize PhD students who are already demonstrating that capacity.

The award is not a prize for productivity. It is a recognition of scholarly distinction, intellectual seriousness, and the emerging voice of a researcher who understands that knowledge has the power to change how people think, decide, and act. The selection committee is interested in nominees whose research is rigorous and whose engagement with that research, whether through conference presentations, knowledge mobilization, policy engagement, or public communication, reflects a deliberate commitment to impact.

Eligibility

All current Sprott PhD students in good standing are eligible to be nominated.

There is no restriction on year of study; the award is open to students at any stage of their doctoral program.

Students who are on an approved leave of absence are not eligible in the cycle during which they are on leave.

Past recipients of this award are not eligible to be nominated again.

Nomination Package

Nominations must be submitted by the Graduate Program Academic Director, the faculty supervisor, or both jointly. The following materials are required:

Nomination Statement

The nomination statement is the centrepiece of the submission. It should make a compelling case for why this student exemplifies research excellence and emerging thought leadership at the doctoral level. Nominators should address the quality and significance of the student’s research, the student’s commitment to communicating their work with purpose and reach, and what distinguishes this nominee as an emerging research leader.

The nomination statement should go beyond general praise and speak directly and specifically to the nominee’s contributions and their scholarly significance. Where relevant, nominators should provide context for interpreting the student’s record (e.g., year of study, field norms, personal circumstances).

Limit: 2 pages, 12-point font, single-spaced.

Curriculum Vitae

The nominated student will be contacted by the Sprott research office to submit their current CV, including all research outputs, presentations, awards, and relevant scholarly activities to date.

Selection Process

The selection committee is chaired by the Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Research Programs. The committee reviews all eligible nominations against the evaluation criteria and makes its recommendation to the Dean. The Dean makes the final award decision. All deliberations are confidential.

One award may be granted in any given cycle. In years where the committee determines that the nominations do not meet the standard the award is intended to recognize, the award may not be given.

Award Recognition

Recipients of the Sprott Doctoral Research Leadership Award will receive:

• A $500 conference travel bursary to support the dissemination of their doctoral research.
• A certificate of recognition presented to the recipient.
• A student profile featured on the Sprott website and across Sprott’s social media channels, highlighting the recipient’s research and its significance.

How to Apply

Submit your complete application package using the application web submission form on the Sprott Research Office website.

All materials must be uploaded and received by 11:59 PM on February 15, 2027. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Past Community Engagement Excellence Award Winners