President's Award for Societal Impact

The Office of the Vice-President, Research is pleased to announce the inaugural President’s Award for Societal Impact.

This new award will recognize and celebrate one exceptional research team whose research has generated significant societal impact through knowledge mobilization, translation and/or exchange activities. This includes having had a positive effect on, or promoting positive change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life beyond academia.

The award is open to research teams from all disciplines. Learn more below.

About the award

The President’s Award for Societal Impact was established in 2024 to recognize researchers who have undertaken research that has resulted in extraordinary societal impact.

In its inaugural year, one award will be presented. Thereafter, the Selection Committee will determine the number of awards to be presented each year based on strength of the applications. The successful team(s) will receive a President’s Medal for Societal Impact and a sum of $10,000 to support their on-ongoing research.

Eligibility

Nominations are open to full-time faculty at McMaster University.

This award will be made after consideration of an application consisting of an Impact Case Study.

Completing and submitting your Impact Case Study

Applicants must submit a Research Impact Case Study.

Download the Research Impact Case Study template here.

Please review the case study guidelines therein and complete Appendix 1: Sample Interview Questions, Appendix 2: Assessment Templates and Appendix 3: Some Reflections on Collecting the Evidence of Impact.

Please submit your responses to all three sections in one (1) Word or PDF document.

Please use this form to submit your case study: https://forms.office.com/r/ay5Lx7R7NN

Please Note: Only McMaster staff and faculty would be able to upload files/videos/recordings to the form (MS Forms restriction) but we recommend that project teams work collaboratively to complete the award package.

Selection Committee

Five members of the McMaster Community comprise the Selection Committee and choose the Award recipient(s).

The members are:

President of McMaster University (Chair)
Associate Vice-President, Research (Society & Impact), McMaster University
A distinguished member of the public who has knowledge of the sector(s) in which the research under consideration had impact
A faculty member from McMaster University appointed by the President, on the recommendation of the Associate Vice-President, Research (Society & Impact)
A committee member with expertise on research impact from outside the McMaster community

Method of nomination and selection

The Selection Committee will solicit nominations
Nominees will be notified by the Selection Committee and be provided the impact case study template for them to complete
The Nomination Form will include a Curriculum Vitae
The Selection Committee will solicit letters of recommendation from others as they determine
The Selection Committee will consider the impact case study and rank the impact in relation to others in the pool
The Award will be presented at a special ceremony to be arranged after the review process is complete

Research & Innovation