Nominees will be evaluated and selected based on the following three criteria, which will be weighted equally by the selection committees.

Peer review selection criteria

• Academic excellence, as demonstrated by past academic results and by transcripts, awards and distinctions.
  
  
• Research potential, as demonstrated by the candidate’s research history, his/her interest in discovery, the proposed research and its potential contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the field, the potential benefit to Canadians, and any anticipated outcomes.
  
  
• Leadership (potential and demonstrated ability), as defined by the following qualities:
  
  
  • Personal achievement:
    • professional involvement in dance, arts, music, etc.;
    • significant artistic achievement;
    • recognized athletic achievement, especially in a leadership role;
    • entrepreneurial achievement (startup company); and/or
    • foreign travel and study.
      
  • Involvement in academic life:
    • mentoring/teaching;
    • supervisory experience;
    • involvement in student government and in the university community, including committees, teams, senate, boards, ethics committees, etc.;
    • project management;
    • roles in professional societies; and/or
    • organization of conferences and meetings.
      
  • Volunteerism/community outreach:
    • community involvement in charity or not-for-profit organizations.
      
  • Civic engagement:
    • parliamentary page positions and internships;
    • political activity; and/or
    • elected positions.
  • Other

Assessment of Leadership

Leadership will be assessed against the following personal and social skills:

Goal achievement:

• has a clear vision of what he/she wants to accomplish;
• has developed his/her own vision for the future that defines a bold change for the community or a group, cause or organization; and
• strategizes how to achieve his/her desired outcomes and has specific, realistic and timely goals.
  

Self-management:

• knows how to prioritize and complete tasks to reach his/her desired outcome, and is confident of success;
• establishes learning goals and tasks;
• reaches goals in an efficient, organized and innovative way; and
• is constantly working on self-improvement.

Integrity:

• acts consistently with core ethical and personal values and convictions; and
• accepts personal accountability for the consequences of his/her actions and decisions.

Other characteristics:

• is creative and takes initiative;
• is curious;
• deals well with complexity;
• has a strong sense of reality;
• is courageous;
• is strategic, a big-picture thinker;
• focuses on solutions, not problems;
• is capable of producing extraordinary results; and
• is able to solve real problems and create real products.

Social skills:

• knows how to develop positive relationships with a diverse range of people;
• cares about and listens to what others say, and gives feedback;
• knows how to motivate individuals;
• is persuasive;
• is supportive of his/her peers;
• is able to negotiate;
• is viewed as trustworthy, ethical and dependable;
• is well-respected; and
• displays mastery of presentation skills and public communications.

More information on leadership is available in the SSHRC-funded study, Leadership at the Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Levels.