The National Killam Program consists of the Killam Prizes, the Dorothy Killam Fellowships, and the Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowships.
The Killam Prizes are awarded to active Canadian scholars who have distinguished themselves through sustained research excellence, making a significant impact in their respective fields in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering.
The Dorothy Killam Fellowships provide support to scholars of exceptional ability by granting them time to pursue research projects of broad significance and widespread interest within the disciplines of the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, engineering or studies linking any of these disciplines.
The Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowships provide support to distinguished scholars, granting them time to pursue a novel project in collaboration with an NRC researcher, leveraging NRC facilities.
The 2027 program cycle will open on March 25, 2026. For more information on preparing your submission package, please consult this video featuring the Chair of the National Killam Selection Committee.
- The deadline for Dorothy Killam Fellowship submissions is May 21, 2026.
- The deadline for Killam Prize submissions is May 28, 2026.
- The deadline for Killam NRC Paul Corkum Fellowship submissions is June 9, 2026.
Email the National Killam Program Office at KillamProgram-ProgrammeKillam@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca if you have any questions.
Killam Prize nomination package
Prize description
Dorothy Killam had a vision of building Canada’s future through advanced study. Through her will, Dorothy Killam established a perpetual trust to realize her vision and fund generations of scholars in Canada.
The Killam Prizes are intended to honour distinguished Canadian scholars who have been engaged in research in universities, hospitals, research or scientific institutes, or other similar institutions.
Normally, one (1) prize is awarded annually in each of five (5) disciplines. They are awarded annually, on a competitive basis, for research done in any of the following disciplines:
- Engineering
- Health sciences
- Humanities
- Natural sciences
- Social sciences
While Killam Prizes are awarded based on research disciplines, we recognize that barrier-breaking research often happens at the intersection of research disciplines. The National Killam Program encourages both disciplinary and multidisciplinary nominations.
Terms and conditions
If the nomination is successful, the terms and conditions will be fully outlined in the notification letter.
Responsibilities of the Killam Prize:
- Confirms acceptance of the Prize and keeps results confidential until the National Killam Program Office makes its official announcement.
- Participates in Prize-related activities and dedicated promotional campaigns which could include, but are not limited to: media interviews, speaking engagements, award ceremonies and receptions.
- Provides photographs and public information for use in promotion of the Prize and other National Killam Program promotional material.
- Provides copyright permission for the use of reproductions or clips of their work on collateral and press materials associated with the Killam Prize, and on the Killam Trusts’, the National Research Council of Canada’s and partner websites and social media channels.
- Discloses any information that may constitute a significant departure from generally-recognized standards of public behaviour and which is seen to undermine the public reputation of the National Killam Program.
Responsibilities of the recipient’s institution:
- Partners with the National Killam Program to host a dedicated event and/or engagement activity for the recipient.
- Discloses any information that may constitute a significant departure from generally-recognized standards of public behaviour and which is seen to undermine the public reputation of the National Killam Program.
An individual may receive this award only once in a lifetime.
Value
The Killam Prize is valued at $100,000 CAD.
Prize recipients should contact the Canada Revenue Agency or their provincial or territorial revenue department with any tax-related questions.
Nomination information
The nominator is responsible for providing all the information and required documents. The National Killam Program Office will make eligibility decisions based on the information submitted in the nomination.
All submissions are to be digital, and only accepted through the online portal. It is important to inform the National Killam Program Office of any changes to contact information following submission.
Please consult our guidance page for more information on key elements to include in your submission package.
Each year, the National Killam Program Office will notify the prize recipients by telephone and in writing before the end of February. The program office will also notify the nominator and the president of the nominee’s organization by email.
Recipients and their nominators may not reveal the results of the competition until the National Killam Program Office makes its official announcement of the annual winners. The results are made public in the spring.
A full list of past recipients of Killam Prizes is available on the Killam Laureate website.
Nomination process
Nominators must complete the online nomination form, and provide the following documents while adhering to the indicated maximum word count in English or French, by 23:59 (applicant’s local time) on May 28, 2026.
The National Killam Program uses a two-stage selection process including external expert peer reviewers and a selection committee with various disciplinary backgrounds. Please ensure that all materials employ plain-language, using clear and simple terms, and are written in a way that a non-specialized audience would understand.
To support the selection process, the National Killam Program translates incoming submissions (except CVs) to the official language of the reviewer (either English or French). All translated materials are clearly identified as unofficial translated copies of the original document. Translations can be made available to the submitter who will have up to 5 business days to review and submit edits to our office. Alternatively, we recognize that nominees and nominators may wish to provide their own translation of materials. In these instances, we accept both the original and translated document.
- Nomination letter (1,000 words in English or 1,200 words in French)
Letters of nomination are used to inform assessment by expert reviewers as well as members of the National Killam Selection Committee consisting of scholars from a variety of research disciplines. Nominators must include a brief, plain-language summary that contextualizes the nominee’s distinguished contributions to their field(s) of study. Letters of nomination should describe the quality, relevance and reach of the nominee’s research contributions, and provide a strong rationale as to why the nominee is an outstanding candidate for the Killam Prize.
Further, nomination letters must clearly specify:
Further, nomination letters must clearly specify:
- the Killam Prize discipline(s) in which the candidate is being nominated, and
- the nature of the nominator’s relationship with the nominee.
To reduce the potential for unconscious bias in the evaluation process:
- please refer to nominees consistently by their surname(s) and use gender-neutral pronouns.
- Impact Statement (500 words in English or 650 words in French)
Killam Prize laureates are nationally and internationally recognized scholars whose excellent, ground-breaking and transformative research stands to positively improve the lives of Canadians.
The impact statement should demonstrate the nominee’s impact on their field of study, both within Canada and internationally and includes the nominee’s research trajectory in alignment with one or more of the Killam attributes:
The impact statement should demonstrate the nominee’s impact on their field of study, both within Canada and internationally and includes the nominee’s research trajectory in alignment with one or more of the Killam attributes:
- Inclusive collaborator - whose work exemplifies inclusion and understanding of people, cultures and needs with participation among all economic, social and cultural backgrounds
- Barrier breaker - whose original, transformational, future-focused generation of knowledge and/or technology stands to change the way we live
- Research leader - who activates thoughtful cooperation among scholars, disciplines and institutions to create a multiplier effect within the research ecosystem
- Three (3) letters of support (1,000 words in English or 1,200 words in French); an additional letter of support for nominees performing community-based research is required (see more details below)
New - One letter of support must be provided by an expert in the field who is arm’s length from the nominee.
New - Nominees who focus on community-based research must provide one additional letter of support from a community leader or a community member. This letter should focus on the importance of the nominee’s research to the community or communities.
Note: Community-based research involves active participation of stakeholders whose lives are affected by the research in all phases of project for the purpose of producing useful results that lead to positive changes.
Individuals providing letters of support may reside anywhere in the world. If the letters have been translated from another language, the originals must also be included.
To avoid repetition and to maximize the opportunity to highlight nominee achievements, we encourage nominators to share nomination letters with those writing letters of support, and to request that each letter writer focus on a different aspect of the nominee’s work or impact. Each letter should be unique and clearly describe the merit, relevance, and/or impact of the research nationally and/or internationally, and/or speaks to efforts on the part of the nominee to have a multiplier effect in their field.
- Please clearly specify the nature of the letter writer’s relationship with the nominee.
To reduce the potential for unconscious bias in the evaluation process:
- Please refer to nominees consistently by their surname(s) and use gender-neutral pronouns.
- Please remove institutional letterhead.
- Curriculum vitae (30 pages in English or 36 pages in French)
A full CV, including information on all publications and presentations, grants and other fellowships received, awards and/or international recognition.
- Eligibility attestation
Proof of eligibility requires nominators and nominees to attest that eligibility requirements have been met. This attestation is completed in the online portal by the nominee and nominator; no additional documentation is required at the time of submission.
In alignment with the Canadian Institute of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the National Killam Program asks nominees to voluntarily provide self-identification data.
The collection of self-identification data is a central piece of the National Killam Program’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan. This data provides information on the diversity of the population applying for and receiving funding. This information increases the National Killam Program’s capacity to monitor progress on increasing EDI in their programs, to recognize and remove barriers, and to design new measures to achieve greater EDI in the research enterprise.
Please ensure your application adheres to the above-indicated maximum word and page limits. If your application is incomplete or not submitted through the proper channel, it will be rejected from the competition.
Evaluation criteria
Following Peer Review, the Selection Committee evaluates nominations based on their merit, compared with each other and in a national context and may use publicly available sources of information.
The prizes will be offered to candidates considered outstanding by the Committee. Where a number of candidates considered outstanding and the assessments are not meaningfully different from each other, the Selection Committee will consider cohort factors that will contribute to a diverse and representative group.
The following points will figure prominently in the review and selection of the candidates considered for the Killam Prizes:
| Criteria | Description | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Merit | Exceptional quality of the candidate’s research record and scope of the candidate’s research contributions taking into account the norms of the field of study, and the nature of the research environment. The quality of the candidate’s research contributions is recognized internationally, including through international awards where appropriate. | 33.3 % |
| Relevance | Extent to which the candidate’s research achievements contribute to outcomes that stand to have a positive impact on Canada and the world. Demonstration of the candidate’s outstanding commitment, creativity, and efforts to share research knowledge beyond the academic community. | 33.3 % |
| Impact | Contribution of the candidate’s ideas and research results to Canadian society, including the nation’s intellectual and/or cultural life. Strong demonstration of sustained impact, commitment to future generations, and evidence of achieving results in alignment one or more of the Killam attributes.
|
33.3 % |
Eligibility criteria
The National Killam Program encourages nominations of candidates whose research has consequence and impact, setting precedents and yielding transformative results that serve to build Canada’s future through advanced study.
Below are eligibility criteria to consider when submitting a nomination:
Below are eligibility criteria to consider when submitting a nomination:
- Individual nominations may include nomination for multiple categories, but an individual may only be awarded the Killam Prize in 1 category.
- No individual may be awarded a Killam Prize more than once.
- Self-nominations are not permitted for the Killam Prize. Candidates should be nominated by another individual who can write compellingly regarding the nominee and their work, accomplishments, and impact. Often, the nominator is an expert in the field, a senior administrator, or a scientific/research leader.
- Killam Prizes are intended for active (not retired) Canadian scholars who have made a substantial and distinguished contribution, over a significant period, to scholarly research. A Killam Prize is not intended as an “end-of-service” reward, as a recognition for a single great accomplishment, or in expectation of future distinguished contributions.
- Only Canadian citizens or scholars working and living in Canada are eligible, and the prizes are awarded only to living candidates.
- National Killam Program Office employees, members of the National Killam Program Advisory Board, or the Selection Committee may not be nominated during their term as members, and for 1 year following the end of their term.
- The nominator and the nominee consent to disclose any information that may constitute a significant departure from generally-recognized standards of public behaviour and which is seen to undermine the public reputation of the National Killam Program.
- A nominator may resubmit a nomination for a specific nominee as many times as desired. However, a new nomination package is required for each submission.
The National Killam Program Office retains the right to interpret the contents of the nomination guidelines and form. Note that meeting the eligibility criteria allows candidates to be nominated for a Killam Prize. However, it does not guarantee prize receipt. All selection decisions are final.
Privacy
The National Killam Program Office and the Selection Committee will not release any information in the application that is specified as confidential, including names or any self-identifying information.
Anonymous demographic information may be aggregated and used by the National Killam Program Office to measure and report on performance.
The Privacy Act gives individuals the right to access and request correction of personal information about themselves.