Research Council Emerging Scholar

Award Information

The PHE Canada Research Council’s Emerging Scholar Award recognizes graduate students’ commitment to the Research Council, as evidenced through experiences and potential in teaching (college/university; K-12), research, and leadership/service. It serves as an opportunity to acknowledge the potential of individual student members as future scholars and promoters of physical and health education within Canada. 

The application period is closed.

Award Guidelines: 

One Master's Award and one Doctoral Award may be granted each time a PHE Canada Research Council Forum is hosted. 

Eligibility: 

The applicant must be the principal researcher and lead author of a submitted scholarly presentation to the current year’s Research Council Forum. The applicant must have been a student at a Canadian university and/or a Canadian at an international university at the time that the research for the submitted scholarly presentation was completed. An applicant is eligible to apply up to 12 months after convocation from their degree program. The applicant must be a Research Council member at the time the application is submitted. Applicants’ original research for a graduate degree should be complete or close to completion.  

Submission Requirements: 

In addition to presenting  at the Research Council Forum, applicants must submit the following documents to be considered for the Research Council Emerging Scholar Award:  

1. Cover Page with Applicant’s Name, Affiliation, Program of Study, Project Title (1 page single-spaced max). 
2. A photo of the Applicant.
3. Project Description (2 page single-spaced max) .
   1. Research overview of original research study formatted to a particular citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago etc.)
   2. Description of the role of the applicant in the research project and their qualifications.
   3. Provide a statement on IDEA as it relates to the overall project; or Demonstrate how the research project meets the aims of IDEA (if also applying for the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility award).
4. Curriculum Vitae
5. Name and Contact information from a Mentor, Advisor or Supervisor who is willing to support the application. 
6. Completed Self-identification Questionnaire (only if also applying for the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Accessibility award).

Applicants may also choose to submit a fourth one-page document that explains any special circumstances in any of the four categories (e.g., related to a leave of absence, a maternity/parental leave, an inability to attend university full time, etc.).  

These documents are due March 16, 2026 following notification of accepted presentations for the Research Council Forum and will only be accepted by email to: [email protected]. An email confirming receipt of the nomination will normally be sent within two business days.  

Applications will be reviewed using the rubric on page two of this document by members of the PHE Canada Research Council Executive. Specifically, applications will be evaluated from a developmental perspective and therefore applicants’ programs (i.e., Master’s and Doctoral) will be taken into consideration.

Awards: 

Research Council Emerging Scholar Award Winners will receive:  

• A plaque of commendation 
• A complementary Research Council membership (at time of renewal) 
• A complementary Research Council Forum registration

Adjudication:  

Click to enlarge/download the following rubric outlining the four categories of assessment:

Click to enlarge or download the following evaluation grid, which describes the four evaluation categories.