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Government of Canada: Order of Canada

Research Admin Offices:

    Funding Type:

    Other

    Value:

    See below.

    Disciplines:

    • Health Sciences
    • Natural Sciences and Engineering
    • Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities

    Sponsors:

    Deadlines:

    Internal Deadline:

    Continuous

    Sponsor Deadline:

    Continuous

    Description:

    The Order of Canada recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation, in all sectors of Canadian society.

    Eligibility:

    Overview

    1. Nominators: Any person or group may nominate
    2. Nominees: Any Canadian citizen may be appointed to the Order

    The Order of Canada recognizes people in all sectors of society. You can nominate:

    • Any living Canadian for admission into the Order. However, elected officials and judges are not eligible to be appointed while in office.
    • The Order of Canada is awarded to individuals only, not to groups or couples. Please submit a separate nomination for each member of a group you wish to nominate and in the reasons for nomination please explain in what way the contributions of your candidates are related.
    • Living non-Canadians are also eligible if their contributions have brought benefit or honour to Canadians or to Canada.
    • An existing member of the Order to be promoted to a higher level within the Order. Promotions are only considered five years after the initial appointment.
    • A candidate who has been previously considered but not appointed to the Order of Canada. Usually, a new nomination can be submitted five years after the last one was made. Contact us if you think this applies to your candidate.
    • There are no posthumous appointments.

    The Chancellery of Honours, part of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, administers the program and receives all nominations. Each one is carefully researched and then reviewed by an advisory council, which makes recommendations to the Governor General. The selection process, which may take up to two years, is non-partisan and merit-based.

    There is no deadline for submissions. Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

    Application/Nomination Process:

    Overview

    Do you know someone who’s changing the game? A role model whose achievements stand above the rest? From community volunteers to scientists, from artists to entrepreneurs, the members of the Order of Canada have enriched the lives of others and made our country a better place. All individuals who make outstanding contributions to their field of endeavour are eligible for appointment to the Order of Canada.

    Why not nominate someone today? Anyone can do it, and there is no deadline for submissions.

    1. Think of an eligible candidate and tell us why they deserve to be appointed to the Order of Canada. Prepare examples of how they have demonstrated outstanding qualities.
    2. Gather your candidate’s contact information and curriculum vitae (if available).
    3. Gather the names and contact information of three references familiar with your candidate’s accomplishments.

    Three Levels:

    • Companion (C.C.): Recognizes national pre-eminence or international service or achievement.
    • Officer (O.C.): Recognizes national pre-eminence or international service or achievement.
    • Member (C.M.): Recognizes outstanding contributions at the local or regional level or in a special field of activity.

    Nomination Dossier:

    • A completed online nomination form
    • The rationale for the nomination
    • A resume including professional activities/occupations, active participation in organizations, official honours/awards, and other related information that might assist the Advisory Council in making its decision
    • Three references who could support the nomination and provide details about why the nominee deserves the honour. They must be familiar with the achievements of the nominee

    *NOTE: It takes 1 to 1.5 years for nominations to be processed by the Advisory Council. Approximately 700-800 applications are received each year.

    Resources:

    Contact:

    Interested faculty are encouraged to consult with Danelle D’Alvise, Prizes & Awards Manager in the Office of the Vice-President, Research regarding this Prize and for assistance with the nomination process including: writing, editing and proofreading required elements of the nomination package; securing letters of support; and managing the submission process to ensure deadlines are met.

    Email: awardmgr@mcmaster.ca
    Telephone: 905-525-9140 extension 27419