Awards & Distinctions, Research Development & Services, Western University,
Support Services Building, Room 5150
1393 Western Road, London, ON, Canada, N6A 3K7 t. 519.661.2161 www.westernu.ca
Awards & Distinctions
2015 John Charles Polanyi Prizes from the Council of Ontario Universities
The John Charles Polanyi Prizes from the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) are five
prestigious research grants given annually to outstanding researchers in the early stages of
their careers
–
beginning postdoctoral studies or appointment as a faculty member at
an Ontario university
–
to aid in research and professional development. The prizes have a
value of $20,000 each, may be held along with any other financial support or research
funds, and are awarded in the categories of physics, chemistry, literature, physiology or
medicine, and economic science.
Note: Another prize by a similar name is awarded by NSERC. However, the
NSERC John
C. Polanyi Award
is not geared specifically toward early-career researchers.
Candidate Eligibility
Normally resident in Ontario
Has completed or is near completion of a doctorate at any university, worldwide, and
plans to pursue postdoctoral studies or has is a university faculty member in Ontario
Doctorate conferred (or to be conferred), or first faculty appointment beginning (or to
begin) between September 1, 2011 and April 30, 2015
o
eligibility extended by six months for applicants who have taken parental leave
between completion of doctorate and time of application
A complete application consists of:
A completed application form, available from
http://goo.gl/c4rTvj
Applicant CV
Brief summary of doctoral thesis (one page)
Statement of research/writing to be undertaken during award tenure (two pages, plus
one page for diagrams, bibliography, etc.)
A 500-word non-technical summary of the statement of research/writing
Confidential letters from four assessors, evaluating
the applicant’s research/
writing to
date, and research/writing to be undertaken.
o
Two of these must not have been the candidate
’s
supervisor, supervisory
committee member, or co-author. Should be from another university if possible.
o
Letters must be sent electronically by the assessors directly to the Associate
Dean, Graduate Studies (ADGS), Dr. Lorraine Davies (
ldavies@uwo.ca
)
A letter from the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies indicating, at the very least, the
nature of the position to be held and the candidate’s suitability for the prize.
Only three applications per category may be submitted by Western. Prescreening may
therefore be necessary. Candidates should contact Reid McNaughton at Research
Development and Services (
reid.mcnaughton@uwo.ca
) before applying. Support and
additional resources are also available from the same. Completed applications must be
submitted
internally
by Monday, December 1, 2014 for final review and approval.
Find more information on this opportunity at:
www.cou.on.ca/about/chairs-and-awards/john-charles-polanyi-prizes
Find more information on Western's awards team at
uwo.ca/research/funding/awards/