Canadian Cancer Society Awards for Excellence in Cancer Research 

The Lifetime Contribution Prize will be given to an esteemed investigator whose contributions to cancer research in Canada extend beyond traditional research accomplishments and outputs. The recipient of this award will be an individual permanently residing in Canada who has enhanced the Canadian cancer research landscape through their vision and leadership in the development of networks, collaborations, resources, and/or infrastructure that have/has significantly benefitted people in Canada affected by cancer. In addition, the recipient of this award has demonstrated a deep commitment to training the next generation of cancer researchers.

The Inclusive Excellence Prize will be given to an individual who has demonstrated leadership and impact in the advancement of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility as it relates to the cancer research ecosystem in Canada. CCS recognizes that the best outcomes in research are derived through leveraging the diversity that is Canada’s strength. 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. The recipient of this award will be an individual permanently residing in Canada whose efforts reflect a genuine commitment to fostering inclusive excellence and whose work has led to significant, measurable impacts that may include greater diversity in Canada’s cancer research landscape, and/or enhanced equity in the delivery of cancer care for underserved populations. 

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 O. Harold Warwick Prize is given for outstanding achievements in cancer control research. It is named in honour of Dr Warwick, a pioneering researcher in cancer control and treatment, and the first executive director of the former National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society.

The recipient of this award will be an investigator permanently residing in Canada whose contributions have led to significant advances in cancer control and who is, normally, still engaged in the conduct of cancer research. 

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.

The Bernard and Francine Dorval Prize is given to an early career investigator whose outstanding contributions to basic biomedical research have the potential to lead, or have already led to improved understanding of cancer treatments and/or cures. It is named in honour of Bernard and Francine Dorval, whose longstanding support of CCS has helped to raise more than two million dollars in support of CCSfunded research, policy work and programs. The recipient of this award will be an early career investigator permanently residing in Canada who began their independent research career within the previous 12 years. To account for the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on the research community, please note that CCS has temporarily extended the eligibility window for early career investigators for another year – all those who began their independent research career after December 31, 2009 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. 

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 12 years. To account for the impact of the COVID19 pandemic on the research community, please note that CCS has extended the eligibility window for early career investigators for another year – all those who began their independent research career after December 31, 2009 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.