Awards & Grants

TOPS New Investigator Research Award

This award recognizes an individual for a singular achievement or their career contributions to research in the field of obesity. This award is made possible through an annual grant from the Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS). The award recipient will receive a plaque, a $2,500 prize, and a travel grant to attend the Canadian Obesity Summit. The award will be presented during a plenary session at which the recipient will be invited to present the TOPS New Investigator Research Award Lecture. Award recipients must be able to attend the Canadian Obesity Summit, Banff Springs, Alberta April 25-29, 2017).

The nomination should include:
1. A letter of recommendation (signed by two members of the Canadian Obesity Network, one of whom must hold a faculty position; contact information must be provided) stating:
a. Your reasons for nominating the individual
b. The nominee’s qualifications for the specified award
c. A summary of the nominee’s research contributions to the field of obesity
2. The nominee’s complete CV including nominee’s complete contact information, current position and academic affiliation.
3. Two (2) to three (3) manuscripts that highlight the nominee’s research

Candidates must:

hold a health professional degree or a PhD degree;
demonstrated success as an independent investigator;
not be registered for a higher degree at the time of receiving the award;
hold an appointment as an independent investigator at the time of being nominated and taking up the award,
have held a faculty or research appointment (e.g., faculty appointment providing eligibility to apply for grants and/or supervise trainees) for a period of no more than 10 years. Time spent in research appointments in a non-academic setting (e.g., industry, government) count towards the 10 year limit if the candidate has been actively engaged in research, as demonstrated by the candidate's publication record, and the candidate was not considered to be in training (e.g., as a student or postdoctoral fellow). Maternity/paternity and/or sick leave will not count towards the 10 year limit.

Review Process and Evaluation Criteria
Four senior members (one from each CIHR pillar) of the CON Science Committee and/or membership will evaluate the application packages.

Communication Requirements
1. Acknowledgement of CON/TOPS Support
2. The official award name is TOPS New Investigator Research Award. The award name must be used in all communication and promotion relating to the award

Application Deadline: Monday December 19th, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Applications should be assembled in a single PDF file and submitted to [email protected] at the Canadian Obesity Network (Phone:780-492-8361; Fax:780-492-9414). Decisions will be announced in the new year.

CON-RCO Distinguished Lecturer Award

The CON-RCO Distinguished Lecturer Award will be presented in recognition of outstanding contributions to the obesity research community in Canada. The recipient will be announced at the opening ceremonies of the Canadian Obesity Summit, and will deliver an opening address.

New - COS 2017 Student Travel Awards

New this year, we are please to announce that Weight Watchers Canada is helping to support a limited number of full time students who have had an abstract successfully submitted to the Canadian Obesity Summit. For more information and to apply please click here for the application and application instructions.

Oral and Poster Awards for Students

Up to $10,000 in prizes for best student poster and oral presentations will be awarded at the Summit.
Award winners must be present at the Summit to accept prizes in person.