Awards
The Canadian Primary Care Research Network (CPCRN) recognizes two people for patient engagement and mentorship excellence each year. The Canadian Primary Care Research Consortium (CPCRC) recognizes a researcher of the year. The Building Capacity Working Group of the CPCRN/CPCRC adjudicates these awards.
Patient Engagement Award
The Patient Engagement Award is provided by the Canadian Primary Care Research Network (CPCRN) to recognize the exceptional contributions of an engaged patient, person with lived experience, carer, or community member to research and quality improvement. This award celebrates an individual who has been an active contributor to patient-oriented research (projects, community of practice, and leadership) and championing people with lived experience and community members as actively engaged partners in primary care research.
The 2026 call for nominations closes on Friday September 25, 2026.
Nomination Process
Application by nomination or self-nomination.
Each nominator will submit the following materials electronically:
- A nomination letter written by the nominator(s), clearly depicting why the nominee should receive this award. The letter should be no more than two pages in length.
- A description of involvement and/or contributions – i.e. a current curriculum vitae, resume, narrative CV (written or ) or other selected document (five pages maximum).
- One letter of support which includes example(s) of relevant engagement activities that showcase their activities and efforts to champion patient-engaged primary care research (e.g poster presentations, member of PaCE etc).
Eligibility Criteria
The nominee must be an active contributor to primary care research and have made exceptional contributions, such as, but not limited to:
- Organized and presented at events hosted by the Canadian Primary Care Research Network (CPCRN) or Consortium (CPCRC) or other relevant primary care research networks/initiatives such as the North American Primary Care Research group (NAPCRG) or other SPOR Networks.
- Demonstrated leadership and/or impact as a patient-partner/person with lived experience, working within the CPCRN or CPCRC committees or Working Groups.
- Co-authored peer-reviewed manuscripts/publications/white papers/reports related to primary care research.
- Organized or initiated opportunities to increase engagement capacity, such as through learning events, creative communications or recruitment strategies.
- An individual may only be presented with the Patient Engagement Award once.
Evaluation Process
Complete submissions will be evaluated independently by the CPCRN/CPCRC Building Capacity Working Group using a scoring rubric to evaluate the application components.
The recipient of the CPCRN Engagement Award will be recognized at the CPCRC Science & Learning Symposium on October 22, 2026 and on the CPCRC website.
Scoring Rubric
Download the Scoring Rubric.
Mentor Award
The Mentor Award is provided by the Canadian Primary Care Research Network (CPCRN) to acknowledge outstanding research mentorship. The recipient must have contributed to the development of other researchers while epitomizing mentorship, including the support, guidance and promotion of their mentees.
The 2026 call for nominations closes on Friday September 18, 2026.
Nomination Process
Application by nomination or self-nomination.
Each nominator will submit the following materials electronically:
- A nomination letter written by the nominator(s), clearly depicting why the nominee should receive this award. The letter should be no more than two pages in length.
- A current curriculum vitae or narrative CV (five pages maximum).
- A letter of support from past or current mentees which should include details of research mentorship activities.
Eligibility Criteria
- The nominee must be at least 10 years into their research and/or academic career.
- The nominee must have an established track record of having fostered the academic careers of others.
- Retired nominees may be considered if they have continued to work with mentees.
- An individual may only be presented with the Mentor Award once.
Evaluation Process
Complete submissions will be evaluated independently by the CPCRC Building Capacity Working Group using a scoring rubric. The recipient of the CPCRN Mentor Award will be recognized at the CPCRC Science & Learning Symposium on October 22, 2026 and on the CPCRC website.
Scoring Rubric
Download the Scoring Rubric.
Researcher of the Year Award
The Researcher of the Year Award is provided by the Canadian Primary Care Research Consortium (CPCRC) to recognize the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of a researcher whose scholarship has significantly advanced primary care research in Canada. This award celebrates an active contributor and leader in patient-oriented research who has meaningfully engaged people with lived experience, community members, and collaborators across disciplines and sectors. Nominees will have demonstrated excellence across the continuum of scholarly inquiry—from exploratory research and knowledge synthesis to clinical studies, population health and health services. Adjudication considers research excellence, innovation, impact, leadership, and productivity in patient-oriented research with demonstrated impact on primary healthcare, services and outcomes for Canadians.
The 2026 call for nominations closes on Friday September 18, 2026.
Nomination Process
Nominations are submitted by a nominator and a supporter and must include the following materials:
- One nomination letter and one letter of support should each clearly describe why the nominee should receive this award. Each letter should be no more than two pages in length, succinctly describing the nominee’s scholarly contributions and achievements as per the criteria outlined in the award description.
- Highlights from the nominee’s curriculum vitae (max 20 pages) that succinctly demonstrates the nominee’s career trajectory including research activities, knowledge products, mentorship, and overall contributions to patient-oriented, primary care research.
- Up to five additional documents (such as policy reports, student/mentee letters of support, creative works, research instruments) that are not otherwise available as published material and provide further evidence of the nominee’s contributions.
* All nominations must be submitted below.
* All nominations and supporting documents are considered confidential.
Eligibility Criteria
The nominee must be an active contributor to primary care research, meeting the following criteria:
- 10 or more years since completion of terminal degree
- Mid- to late- career stage
The nominee is expected to have made exceptional contributions, such as, but not limited to:
- Demonstrated leadership and/or impact on patient-oriented, primary care research that has inspired their colleagues and peers.
- Outstanding and transformative research and scholarly achievements widely disseminated via peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentations, white papers, reports or other media.
- Demonstrated impact on primary care and primary care research.
- Organized and presented at events hosted by the Consortium (CPCRC), with a clear focus on building research capacity within the Consortium through educational activities, networking opportunities, communications, or interactive forums.
An individual may only be presented with the Researcher of the Year Award once.
Evaluation Process
Complete submissions will be evaluated independently by the CPCRN/CPCRC Building Capacity Working Group using the following scoring rubric to evaluate the application components. A recommendation will be made to the CPCRC Executive Council. The recipient of the CPCRC Researcher of the Year Award will be recognized at the CPCRC Science & Learning Symposium on October 22, 2026 and on the CPCRC website.
Scoring Rubric
Download the Scoring Rubric.