Awards for Excellence in Cancer Research

The Inclusive Excellence Prize will be given to an individual who has demonstrated commitment, leadership and (potential for) impact in the advancement of Canada’s cancer research ecosystem from an equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility lens, both among those conducting the research and those benefiting from its outcomes.

Research ecosystems that reflect the population are known to ask more diverse research questions, have more innovative approaches, ideas, and solutions and are thus more likely to produce outcomes that have impact at a population—as well as an individual—level. Likewise, adopting a health equity approach to research ensures that progress is made toward research and care that is increasingly accessible and beneficial to all segments of the population, particularly the underserved. By prioritizing health equity through research, we can address disparities in cancer outcomes and improve the quality of care for everyone, fostering a more inclusive and effective healthcare system.

The recipient of this award will be an individual permanently residing in Canada whose research efforts reflect a genuine and sustained commitment to fostering inclusive excellence and whose work has led (or has the demonstrable potential to lead) to significant, measurable impacts that may include greater diversity and inclusion in Canada’s cancer research landscape and/or enhanced equity in the delivery of cancer care for underserved populations.

Given the specific criteria for this award, it is recognized that a limited number of nominations may be received. Consequently, this award may not be presented annually.

*This award was last updated in April 2025 **See CCS Research Inclusive Excellence Action Plan for additional context. Cancer research ecosystem is defined as the network of cancer researchers, postdoctoral fellows, students, technical staff, knowledge users, health care providers and community members including patients, survivors and caregivers, who are synergistically contributing to the generation, synthesis, dissemination, exchange and application of cancer research in Canada.

The Robert L. Noble Prize is given for outstanding achievements in basic biomedical cancer research. It is named in honour of Dr Noble, an esteemed Canadian investigator whose research in the 1950s led to the discovery of vinblastine, a widely used anticancer drug. At the time, vinblastine was one of the most effective treatments available for Hodgkin lymphoma. The recipient of this award will be an investigator permanently residing in Canada whose contributions have led to significant accomplishments in a body of work in basic biomedical cancer research and who is, normally, still engaged in the conduct of cancer research.

The William E. Rawls Prize is given to an early career investigator whose outstanding contributions have the potential to lead to or have already led to important advances in cancer control. It is named in honour of Dr Rawls, past president of the former National Cancer Institute of Canada. His research focused on viruses, particularly those involved in chronic diseases and cervical cancer. 

The recipient of this award will be an early career investigator permanently residing in Canada who began their independent research career within the previous 10 years. All those who began their independent research career after December 31, 2014, will be eligible for nomination. Taking into consideration any leaves, the start of the independent career will be defined as the date that the candidate was first appointed as an independent scientist or faculty member.  

For the purposes of this award, cancer control is meant to include clinical (including clinical trials), health services, epidemiological, behavioural, psychosocial, population-based or similarly applied research aimed at reducing the burden of cancer. Cancer control does not include research in the basic biomedical sciences.