Diabetes Canada established the Early Career Researcher Award in 1987 for the purpose of encouraging, by appropriate recognition, outstanding research conducted in Canada in the field of diabetes. This award continues today with the support of research funding from Diabetes Canada and CIHR-INMD.
The award consists of a personalized plaque, a cash award and travel and accommodation to attend the Diabetes Canada/CSEM Professional Conference. The award recipient is recognized at and invited to give a research lecture during the Diabetes Canada/CSEM Professional Conference.
Nominations for 2026 must be submitted using the online nomination by May 31, 2026.
Past award recipients
| Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Dr. David Campbell |
| 2024 | Dr. Erin Mulvihill |
| 2023 | Dr. Jonathan Schertzer |
| 2022 | Dr. Sonia Butalia |
| 2021 | Dr. Francis Lynn |
| 2020 | Dr. Jennifer Estall |
| 2019 | Dr. David Cherney |
| 2018 | Dr. Patrick McDonald |
| 2017 | Dr. Gregory Steinberg |
| 2016 | Dr. James D. Johnson |
| 2015 | Dr. Bruce Perkins |
| 2014 | Dr. Rob Screaton |
| 2013 | Dr. Tony Lam |
| 2012 | Dr. Andre Carpentier |
| 2011 | Dr. Minna Woo |
| 2010 | Dr. Timothy Kieffer |
| 2009 | Dr. Vincent Poitout |
| 2008 | Dr. Jeffrey A. Johnson |
| 2007 | Dr. Peter Light |
| 2006 | Dr. C. Bruce Verchere |
| 2005 | Dr. André Marette |
| 2004 | Dr. Gregory Korbutt |
| 2003 | Dr. Micheal Wheeler |
| 2002 | Dr. Robert Hegele |
| 2001 | Dr. Gary Lewis |
| 2000 | Dr. Pere Santamaria |
| 1999 | Dr. Hertzel Gerstein |
| 1998 | Dr. Patricia Brubaker |
| 1997 | Dr. Jean-pierre Després |
| 1996 | Dr. Daniel Drucker |
| 1995 | Dr. Diane Finegood |
| 1993 | Dr. George Fantus |
| 1991 | Dr. Gerald Van de Werve |
| 1990 | Dr. Amira Klip |
| 1988 | Dr. Bernard Zinman |
| 1987 | Dr. Jerry Radziuk |
Eligibility
A nominee must:
- Be an early career researcher. An early career researcher is a researcher within ten years from the date of their first research-related or faculty appointment, minus eligible delays in research, where:
- research-related appointments are defined as those where the individual has the autonomy to conduct research independently; and
- all eligible leaves (e.g., maternity, parental, medical, bereavement) are credited as twice the amount of time taken, and professional leaves (e.g., training, sabbatical, administrative) are not credited.
- Be either a Canadian citizen or resident of Canada, conducting research in the field of diabetes at an institution located in Canada.
- Have contributed to the Canadian diabetes community through the commitment of time, skill and/or new knowledge or discovery in diabetes research.
Nomination procedure
Nominations must be made by two diabetes clinicians or scientists who are Canadian citizens or residents of Canada and hold an MD or PhD.
The first nominator is responsible for coordinating the nomination and for completing the online nomination form with the required information, including uploading:
- curriculum vitae of the nominee;
- a list of up to (but not exceeding) ten of the nominee’s most significant publications;
- two letters (one each from the nominator and seconder) indicating the reasons for submitting this particular nomination.
Nominations will stand for three years, on the condition that the nominee remains eligible within the eligibility criteria.
Selection process
Nominations will be reviewed by Diabetes Canada's National Research Council. The National Research Council consists of research experts across the country who represent the four pillars of research and are active researchers within the diabetes community.
Nominations are scored based on the following criteria:
• Research contributions and activities, relative to opportunities to date
• Research impacts, relative to opportunities to date
• Research, academic and professional development
• Volunteer commitment to diabetes community and Diabetes Canada
Nomination deadline
Nominations must be submitted online using the online nomination form by May 31, 2026.
In the event that no suitable nomination is made, the award will be deferred for this year.