Background and Description
Nominations are now open for the RSC Eric Jackman Prize in the Human Behavioural and Social Sciences. The Prize was established in 2025 with the support of a generous endowment from the Jackman Foundation. The nomination period will close on May 29 at 8:00pm ET.
The Prize celebrates path-breaking and sustained scientific contributions to preventing harm, strengthening resilience, or otherwise benefiting humankind through research in one or more behavioural and social science fields.
Open to both individual Canadian researchers (or permanent residents of Canada) and established research teams led by a Canadian (or permanent resident of Canada), the RSC Eric Jackman Prize will be offered annually if there is a suitable candidate. The Prize includes a cash award of $10,000 CAD.
Public-facing activities featuring the winner of the Prize will promote public awareness of the role of social sciences research in creating a better society and also link the research to key elements of public policy.
A successful candidate for the RSC Eric Jackman Prize will stand out for the following reasons:
- The clear relevance of the work to challenges confronting humankind
- The path-breaking aspects of the work
- The recipient’s sustained focus on applying the results of the work to tangible benefits to humankind
Nominations for the Prize will be adjudicated by a committee named by the RSC and chaired by the President of its Academy of Social Sciences. Members of the committee will include at least three distinguished scholars with expertise in the relevant disciplines as well as two members-at-large.
Nominations for the inaugural Prize will open this spring, and the inaugural prize will be presented at the 2025 Celebration of Excellence and Engagement in Montreal.
Nomination Submission Requirements
The nomination must consist of the following elements:
- Nomination form (click here to download)
- Letter of nomination from the Primary Nominator
- Citation (max 70 words, or 85 in French)
- Detailed appraisal (max 1200 words, or max 1450 in French)
- Three letters of reference (max 750 words per letter, or max 900 in French)
- Three bios from referees (max 250 words, or max 300 in French)
- Curriculum Vitae (max 20 pages)
The nomination must be supported by a Member of the Society, either a Fellow or a current Member of the College of New Scholars. There is no limit on the number of nominations any Member may submit each year. The nomination can be supported by an institutional member, but the Nominator must be the President, Vice-President, or CEO of the university or organization.
For more information about preparing a nomination, click here.
If you have any questions, please contact Nicolas Lafrenière, Membership and Awards Officer at nlafreniere@rsc-src.ca.