CASCADE AWARDS

CASCADE Award Nominations deadline

MARCH 17, 2023

Individual CASCADE Awards

Individual CASCADE Awards adjudicated by the CASC Board of Directors. 

The nominee can be an employee or a volunteer of a CASC Science Centre/Museum Member or Affiliate.

All award recipients will become Honorary Lifetime Members of CASC.

Emerging Professional 

Awarded to a creative, effective, inspiring individual emerging as a leader and/or innovator in the Canadian science centre and museum community. The Emerging Professional is producing results and making an impact on their CASC member institution, stakeholders, and/or audience. The Emerging Professional has achieved notable success within five years or less in the sector. 

This leadership or innovation can be expressed through exhibitions, education, fundraising, visitor service, community involvement, or other key activities that lead to success for the science centre. The work of the Emerging Professional is having a demonstrable effect now and shows great promise for the foreseeable future.

The nomination will be judged by the degree to which the nominee is: 

• Demonstrably inspiring as leader and/or innovator with the current staff and visitors at their institution. 
• Producing results and making an impact on their institution, stakeholders, and/or audience.
• Demonstrating the potential to inspire and nurture creative thinking.
• Demonstrable effect now and shows great promise for the foreseeable future.

A nomination must contain:

• A completed application form.
• Supporting documents as appropriate (visual or other e.g., publications, web links, program/project summary, etc.).
• At least three (3) letters of support for the application (at least one letter from a senior leader from within their institution).
• Maximum ten (10) page limit for all supporting documents (not including application form).

Exceptional Project/ Program Leadership 

Awarded to multiple individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities during the successful implementation of a program/ project that has made science approachable, relevant, and accessible in 2022. These individuals have gone above and beyond their role responsibilities, and have had a positive impact on people, facilities, or experiences within the Canadian science centre/museum community.

The nomination will be judged by the degree to which the nominee is: 

• Demonstrably inspiring the current staff and visitors at their institution. 
• Applying new ideas and/or enhancing best practices in making science approachable, relevant, and accessible.
• Demonstrating the potential to inspire and nurture creative thinking.
• Building relationships for his or her institution within the community.

A nomination package must contain:

• A completed application form.
• Supporting documents as appropriate (visual or other e.g., publications, web links, program/project summary, etc.).
• At least three (3) letters of support for the application (at least one letter from a senior leader from within their institution).
• Maximum ten (10) page limit for all supporting documents (not including application form).

Outstanding Career Achievement

Awarded to an inspirational thought leader who has made significant long-term contributions to the Canadian science centre/museum sector during their 15+ year tenure and is deeply committed to building a thriving science and innovation culture of engaged citizens.

Note: This individual may already be retired from or currently working within the science centre/museum sector.

It is preferred that one person be selected annually to receive this award. If more than one nominee meets the criteria, the judges may select more than one recipient.  

Nominations will be judged by the degree to which the nominee:  

• Has made a demonstrable contribution to the leadership of one or more CASC member institutions.
• Has made an exceptional and ongoing contribution to the development of Canadian science centre/museum community.  This might include service on industry associations or committees, conference presentations, cross-sectoral collaboration. 
• Has engaged a broader audience in science and innovation through activities like published work, organized science events, public speaking, science communication for a wide audience, or other activities that further the broad goals of the informal science sector. 

A nomination must contain:

• A completed application form.
• A complete curriculum vitae or equivalent.
• Supporting documents as appropriate (visual or other e.g., publications, web links, documents).
• At least three (3) letters of support for the application.
• Maximum ten (10) page limit for all supporting documents (not including application form).

Institutional CASCADE Awards

Institutional CASCADE Awards are categorized according to the overall cost of the project. 

• Category 1: $1M and over                                                                                                                         
• Category 2: $250,000 to $1 million
• Category 3: $50,000 to $250,000
• Category 4: $50,000 and under 

NOTE: Each institution can only apply for up to two (2) categories each year.

Eligibility Criteria 

 Key Science Engagement Offerings:

Evaluation Criteria

Submitting your nomination and Supporting document uploads

The information must be submitted into the form. We suggest drafting responses in a word processor (e.g. Microsoft Word) and then copying responses into the survey. The survey must be completed all at once. You will be unable to save it and return to it at a later time to complete it.

You will have the opportunity to submit:

Personnel
Travel
Materials
Equipment
Rent
Utilities

Performance Measurement

Note: Budget information will help confirm the Award Category for the nominated project.