NSERC Prizes honour transformative research and innovation

Top prize awarded to Linda Nazar for positioning Canada at the forefront of the global transition to sustainable energy and electrification

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 29, 2026 /CNW/ -- Research drives innovation, economic growth and improved quality of life across the country. By generating new knowledge and making transformative discoveries, researchers strengthen communities and advance Canada's leadership in science and innovation.

Today, Alejandro Adem, president of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), announced the 2026 recipients of the NSERC Prizes. This year's awards recognize 26 distinguished scientists and engineers, and four industry partners, whose outstanding research, innovation and mentorship have advanced knowledge and generated lasting impacts across diverse fields. This year's recipients are tackling some of society's most pressing challenges, from protecting biodiversity and strengthening environmental decision-making to developing trustworthy artificial intelligence and creating sustainable materials for a low-carbon future.

Linda Nazar, of the University of Waterloo, is awarded the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering, Canada's highest recognition for scientific excellence. Her world-leading discoveries have transformed the science of electrochemical energy storage, laying the foundation for safer, more efficient batteries that are helping accelerate the global shift to clean transportation and renewable energy. The award, valued at up to $1 million, celebrates researchers whose work has had a transformative impact in their field.

Elizabeth Gillies, a professor in the departments of chemistry and of chemical and biochemical engineering at Western University, is awarded the John C. Polanyi Award in recognition of her work in developing a breakthrough class of materials, which has established a new paradigm for designing smart and sustainable materials. Her innovations related to self-immolative polymers (materials made of large molecules that can disassemble under specific conditions) are influencing researchers and industries worldwide, helping to redefine how materials are designed, used and ultimately returned to the environment.

Paul Hebert, a distinguished professor of evolutionary biology at the University of Guelph, receives the NSERC Donna Strickland Prize for Societal Impact of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research for his work that has transformed humanity's ability to detect invasive species, combat wildlife trafficking, reduce food fraud, guide environmental assessments and inform conservation.

The Pandemic Preparedness Team at McMaster University is presented with the Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering in recognition of the powerful new approach to pandemic response it developed, drawing on the expertise of its members in biosensing, chemistry, biochemistry and molecular evolution.

Six early-career researchers are receiving the prestigious Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships, which provide critical support as the recipients advance their research programs and establish themselves as the next generation of scientific leaders.

NSERC also recognizes four exceptional research partnerships through the Synergy Awards for Innovation, which celebrate collaborations between academic institutions and partner organizations that are translating expertise into impactful discoveries and innovations.

Quotes

"The recipients of the 2026 NSERC Prizes exemplify the exceptional talent, creativity and leadership that drive Canada's research and innovation excellence. Their groundbreaking work is advancing solutions to pressing challenges, from strengthening environmental stewardship and improving public health preparedness, to developing sustainable technologies and trustworthy artificial intelligence. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate this year's recipients and thank them for helping build a stronger, more innovative and prosperous future for Canadians."

-     The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

"The recipients of this year's NSERC Prizes are trendsetters and pioneers, demonstrating the excellence and ingenuity that define Canada's research community. They are advancing scientific knowledge, driving innovation and helping to address challenges that matter to Canadians. This well-deserved recognition highlights the essential contributions they are making to Canada's future."

-     Karim Bardeesy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry

"Each year, NSERC's Prizes recognize the emerging researchers, celebrated partnerships, and honored scientists and engineers whose work improves lives, advances understanding, and strengthens Canada's place in the world. These are unique and remarkable talents who show us what happens when a curious mind is given the support and freedom to discover and to innovate. We are proud to commend them for the breakthroughs they have achieved, the possibilities they have created, and the advancements they will inspire."

-     Professor Alejandro Adem, FRSC, President of NSERC

"Receiving the Herzberg Gold Medal is an extraordinary honour. To be recognized alongside scientists whose discoveries I have admired for so many years is both thrilling and deeply humbling. What has always driven me is the excitement of discovering something new and exploring bold ideas--ideas that can open doors to technologies we once thought impossible and contribute to a more sustainable energy future. I am deeply grateful to the students, colleagues, and collaborators who have shared this journey, and to NSERC and the University of Waterloo for their longstanding support. There is still so much to discover, and that is perhaps the most exciting part of all."

-     Linda Nazar, Distinguished Professor at the University of Waterloo

Quick facts

• The NSERC Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering, named in honour of Canadian Nobel laureate Gerhard Herzberg, is the highest distinction awarded by NSERC, offering up to $1 million in research funding over five years.
• This year's NSERC prizes recognize the outstanding research contributions of 26 researchers and four industry partners, with prizes totalling $4.05 million.
• Each year, NSERC celebrates researchers from Canadian universities and colleges whose work demonstrates exceptional talent and innovation.

Associated link

Full list of NSERC prizes, with links to this year's winners and their profiles 

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SOURCE NSERC

Media Relations, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, [email protected]