Early Career Research Award

The Sprott Early Career Research Award recognizes research stream faculty members who have demonstrated promise and early research achievement in the first years of their appointment. This award celebrates the momentum a new colleague has already built and affirms that their scholarly contributions are seen, valued, and worth investing in. It reflects Sprott’s commitment to recognizing research talent early and to signalling confidence in the colleagues who will shape the School’s research future.

One award may be granted annually when the standard of applications warrants recognition.

Eligibility

Full-time Sprott research stream faculty members at the Assistant rank are eligible to apply.

Applicants must be within their first five years of appointment as Assistant Professor at Sprott at the time of the application deadline.

The award considers research achievements from the start of the candidate’s appointment through to the application deadline.

Faculty members who have taken an approved leave (e.g., parental, medical, or compassionate leave) may adjust their eligibility window accordingly. Please provide relevant general reason for adjustment in your applicant statement.

Past recipients of this award are not eligible to apply again.

Application Package

Faculty must self-nominate. Associate Deans, Directors, and colleagues are encouraged to approach eligible faculty and support their decision to apply. The following materials are required:

Curriculum Vitae

Submit a current CV. Please highlight all research achievements from the preceding three calendar years so that the selection committee can readily identify the relevant contributions.

Applicant Statement

The applicant statement is the heart of your application. It should make a compelling case for why your research record since your appointment merits recognition, with particular attention to the quality of your contributions, the coherence of your developing research program, and the promise your work reflects. Do not simply summarize your CV. Instead, describe what you have done, why it matters, and where your scholarship is heading.

Candidates are encouraged to address:

• The significance and originality of your most important research contributions since your appointment.
• Evidence that you are building a focused and ambitious research program.
• Early indicators of scholarly engagement and community contribution.
• Any contextual factors relevant to interpreting your record (e.g., leaves, disciplinary norms, institutional circumstances).

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

Selection Process

The selection committee is chaired by the Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Research Programs. The committee reviews all eligible applications 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 applications do not meet the standard of recognition the award is intended to confer, the award may not be given.

Award Recognition

Recipients of the Sprott Early Career Research Award will receive:

A faculty profile featured on the Sprott website and across Sprott’s social media channels, highlighting the recipient’s achievements and their significance to the School’s research mission.

A $1,000 cash award added to the recipient’s IRR.

A framed certificate presented to the recipient.

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 Early Career Research Award Winners