llaurence@thediscoverycentre.ca
902.494.4422
Nominate
2023 Discovery Award Nominations are now CLOSED. Please consider nominating a candidate next year.
Since 2002, Discovery Awards, in support of Discovery Centre, has honoured individuals and organizations in Nova Scotia who’ve made outstanding contributions in the fields of science and technology.
Nominate someone who is making a major impact in the science and technology sector in Nova Scotia.
Whether they have invented something new, undertaken an innovative study, or demonstrated dedication and commitment to the promotion of science and technology, they deserve to be recognized at Atlantic Canada’s most prestigious science recognition event.
Please fill out the online nomination form and make a compelling argument as to why your nominee is deserving. To be considered as a finalist, nominees must not have been a finalist for the past three consecutive years within the same category. If nominating more than one candidate, please submit a separate form for each. Nominees must be informed of the nomination and understand that further information will be required should they be chosen as a finalist.
Award Categories
Science Champion
An individual, organization, or program that promotes science and technology education and STEM careers, and through their work makes science better understood by the public. Awarded to a working scientist, technology-career professional, science educator, public personality, or program lead(s) who are devoted to the promotion of science and technology. The nominee serves as a role model for all Nova Scotians, particularly for youth, in support of the development of a science and innovation-oriented culture in the province.
Emerging Professional
An individual who is early in their career and demonstrates research excellence, knowledge sharing, and potential for ongoing growth and development. Awarded to a post-secondary science and/or technology student, graduate student, post-doctoral fellow, or early career practicing professional, who lives and studies or works in Nova Scotia. This person demonstrates intellectual achievement, excellence, and has potential for ongoing growth and development. They also demonstrate ingenious and innovative thinking in the creation of unique ideas, concepts, perspectives, processes, etc. within their field. This award is designed to recognize either students or those early in their professional working career, normally within 5 years of starting an established/permanent position in an organization.
Public Impact Award
The Public Impact Award, presented by Research Nova Scotia, recognizes a Nova Scotian researcher in academia, a public research institution, government, or the private sector, whose research has benefited Nova Scotians by tangibly improving the economy, environment, healthcare system, or society. The recipient’s work has developed in response to the needs of society, and is solving a problem, managing a risk, or creating an opportunity for Nova Scotians.
Nominations for the Public Impact Award are managed through Research Nova Scotia’s grant management platform, JURA. For more information or to nominate, please visit: https://researchns.ca/public-impact-award/
Innovation Award
An enterprise that has developed a commercially viable product or service, either market-ready or in its early-stages. Awarded for science and/or technology innovation in the commercial development of a new product or service. This award is intended to recognize a team or individual who saw the commercial potential of a concept/research and applied innovative business practices, combined with the strategic investment of time and money, to bring it to the market. Emphasis will be placed on the breakthrough from theoretical/academic work to commercial application.
Professional of Distinction
A leader and innovator in their field, a role model for those who pursue science as a career. Awarded to a science and/or technology researcher or developer (in academia, a public research institution or the private sector) who demonstrates ingenuity and innovative thinking in the creation of unique ideas, concepts, perspectives, processes, etc. within their field. The nominee is recognized nationally and internationally for excellence in their work but may not necessarily be well known locally by members of the general public.
Hall of Fame
Every year, Discovery Centre inducts eminent scientists to the Nova Scotia Science Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is looking for candidates, either deceased or active who during their life- time have made a major, internationally recognized, impact on science and/or technology.
Criteria
Criteria
- Candidates born in Nova Scotia but may have achieved their scientific or technological prominence in Nova Scotia or elsewhere, or nominees born elsewhere, but achieved prominence for their scientific or technological work while living and working in Nova Scotia.
- Candidates must possess qualities that would serve as an inspiration to young Nova Scotians to pursue careers in science and technology.
- Living candidates should be at or near the end of their professional careers.
- Deceased persons may be considered to recognize the contributions they made to science or technology during their lifetime.
Nomination Form
Have a question about nominations? Contact our team: