NSERC Announces 2026 National Science Award Winners
The awards honour 26 scientists and four industry partners for their impactful contributions to research and innovation.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Science — General
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The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) announced the 2026 recipients of its prestigious annual research prizes. The awards recognize scientists and engineers who have made significant advancements in fields ranging from environmental stewardship to public health.
Why it matters
These awards provide crucial support for Canadian research that advances scientific knowledge and creates tangible impacts across diverse societal and technological sectors.
NSERC recognized 26 scientists and four industry partners for their work, with the total value of prizes reaching $4.05 million. The flagship Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal includes up to $1 million in research funding over a five-year period.
The players
Linda Nazar
She is a professor at the University of Waterloo and the recipient of the 2026 Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering.
McMaster University
This institution is home to the Pandemic Preparedness Team, which was awarded the 2026 Brockhouse Canada Prize.
Elizabeth Gillies
She is a professor at Western University who is among the distinguished researchers recognized by NSERC in 2026.
Paul Hebert
He is a professor at the University of Guelph and a recipient of a 2026 NSERC research prize.
The details
University of Waterloo professor Linda Nazar received the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal, while the McMaster University Pandemic Preparedness Team was awarded the Brockhouse Canada Prize. Additional honors included six Arthur B. McDonald Fellowships for early-career researchers and four Synergy Awards for Innovation.
Timeline
NSERC announced the 2026 prize recipients on October 29, 2026.
The Big Picture
This announcement marks the latest cycle of the NSERC research prize portfolio, which annually supports Canadian innovation and academic excellence. These awards reinforce the national commitment to sustaining high-impact research programs across Canada.
The awarded research funding will accelerate the development of sustainable technologies, public health strategies, and environmental protections. These advancements could translate into new commercialized products and improved health services available to the public in the coming years.
The takeaway
These awards highlight the breadth of Canadian scientific inquiry by balancing support for established researchers with early-career fellowships. Researchers can apply these funding models to sustain long-term inquiry in highly technical fields.
Further reading
For more information on national research initiatives, visit the Canada Science — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Belleville Intelligencer.
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