CAP Medal Nomination Procedures

The outputs from scientific research are many and varied, including research articles reporting new knowledge, data, reagents, and software; intellectual property; and highly trained young scientists. Nomination packages should document the impact and quality of the candidate’s research, scholarship and/or innovation.

Nomination Procedures for CAP Medals

Eligibility
Nomination Procedures
Nomination Components
Nomination Selection and Notification

Any questions regarding the nomination process should be sent to programs@cap.ca

Eligibility

Unless otherwise noted:

1. The nominator must be a member of the CAP or one of the other societies included on the CAP Council-approved list of Canadian professional science societies (see list below).
2. The nominee must be a member in good standing of the CAP or a CAP Council-approved list of Canadian professional science societies (see list below).
3. The nominee must have spent the major part (i.e. more than one-half) of their working career in Canada or must have made a major contribution to physics after returning to a permanent position in Canada.
4. Self-nominations will be accepted.

Nomination Procedures

• Normally the nomination and selection cycle will be set such that selected nominees may be presented with their medal at the Recognition Dinner held at the CAP Annual Congress.
• Nominations must be submitted using the CAP’s online nomination submission process.
• Although the CAP’s nomination system currently has an English-only interface, nominations may be submitted in either English or French.  The CAP is committed to ensuring that applications submitted in either official language are treated equitably.
• The CAP commits to ensuring that those evaluating awards will have a thorough understanding of the impact of bias to take it into account while reviewing nominations. Click here to view the CAP’s full EDI statement.
• Supporting documents must be submitted as PDF files.
• Nominations are confidential to the CAP.
• Nominations are valid for three (3) nomination cycles.
• Upon submission, and each year of the remaining two years of the cycle, nominators MUST verify/validate that the nomination package is complete and up-to-date before the package will be submitted to the selection committee for consideration.

Nomination Components

Unless otherwise noted, a complete application consists of:

1. The nomination form, and a supporting letter from the nominator. The letter is to be written in no smaller than 11 pt font and is no more than 3 pages in length. This letter clarifies how the nominee meets the evaluation criteria for the recognition for which they are to be considered.
2. A Curriculum Vitae of the nominee that specifically highlights the details of the nominee’s background that demonstrate how the nominee satisfies the evaluation criteria for the recognition that they are being nominated for. The c.v. should be written in no smaller than 11 pt font and should be no more than twenty (20) pages in length. 
   • CAP Medal for Excellence in Teaching Undergraduate Physics: The c.v. should be supplemented with a statement of teaching philosophy and a teaching dossier focussing on teaching contributions, with the total including the c.v. no more than twenty (20) pages in length.
   • Peter Kirkby Medal: c.v. has a maximum of 5 pages and should not include a list of research publications.
3. Up to three (3) letters from referees to support the candidate’s nomination. Each letter is to be written in no smaller than 11 pt font and must not exceed two (2) pages. Letters should particularly address the quality, originality, and significance of the candidate’s work in the area in which they are to be evaluated.
   • Nominators may solicit reference letters to provide a diverse range of perspectives, such as but not to be limited to, different career levels (e.g., supervisors, colleagues, collaborators, students).
   • Peter Kirkby Medal: references should be from those who have observed significant commitment to service to the Canadian physics community by the nominee
   • Medal for Undergraduate Teaching: the package should include three letters of support from students, colleagues, or others who have a close familiarity with the candidate’s contributions to teaching. Letters should particularly address the quality, originality, and significance of the candidate’s achievements in teaching.
4. For publication (300 word statement, 50 word citation):
   • A statement of 300 words or less, suitable for publication if the nominee is selected as the medal recipient, describing the accomplishments of the nominee that make them a good candidate for this award that can be used in the CAP’s press release.
   • A citation of 50 words or less, suitable for publication if the nominee is selected as the medal recipient, describing the accomplishments of the nominee that make them a good candidate for this recognition that can be used in the CAP’s announcement of winners.

Nomination Selection and Notification

Following the submission date, the nomination will be reviewed to determine if the eligibility criteria and nomination requirements have been satisfied. If the nomination package is not in accordance with these requirements, the CAP will inform the nominator and allow them to modify or provide additional information within 5 business days. If the requested information is not provided, incomplete or not in adherence to the requirements, the nomination will not be taken into consideration.

Selection committees are formed by CAP’s Recognition Committee. Given the importance of equity, diversity, and inclusivity in inspiring a diverse new generation of physicists, the selection committee may wish to prioritize nominees from under-represented groups in cases when the levels of accomplishments of nominees are equally meritorious. The selection committees recommend recipients to the CAP Board of Directors. If approved, recipients will be contacted by the President of the CAP or designate.      

Under normal circumstances, each medal recipient will be invited to give a plenary talk during the CAP Congress, with the medals presented by the President of the CAP during the Congress Medalists and Fellows Recognition Dinner.  During any year when this is not possible, the medal recipients will be invited to give a talk during a virtual Medals Day and the medals will be shipped to them.

• Peter Kirkby Medal: the recipient does not normally give a plenary talk but is awarded their medal during the recognition dinner and invited to say a few words at that time as this award recognizes service to the Canadian Physics Community.