Deadline: September 25, 2026
Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital’s 16th annual Pursuit Awards international competition is now open for applications. This prestigious competition recognizes PhD students and recent doctoral graduates from around the world for their outstanding contributions to childhood disability research, enabling personalized versions of a good life across the lifespan for all individuals with childhood-onset disabilities, acquired injuries and developmental differences, their families and communities.
Over the years, the Pursuit Awards have celebrated some of the most promising young minds in the field—researchers who have, for instance, explored how physical activity can benefit youth with neurodevelopmental conditions, or developed tools to help families make informed decisions for children living with brachial plexus birth injury.
The Pursuit Awards is made possible by the generous contributions of The Ward Family Foundation, Holland Bloorview Foundation donors, and the Bloorview Research Institute.
Awards
The top three candidates, selected by an esteemed panel of scientists, staff and family leaders, will be announced at a ceremony held during the annual Bloorview Research Institute (BRI) Symposium on November 5-6, 2026.
- 1st place: $3,000 CAD
- 2nd place: $2,000 CAD
- 3rd place: $1,000 CAD
Eligibility
Open to applicants worldwide who are:
- PhD students (within six months of their defence)
- Postdoctoral trainees (within one year of receiving their PhD)
- Recent PhD graduates (within one year of PhD completion)
Evaluation Criteria
Finalists will be evaluated on:
- Academic excellence, including academic training, experience, and awards of distinction
- Research potential, including originality, critical thinking, innovation, and the ability to influence practice, policy or research in childhood disability
- Knowledge translation, including efforts to engage partners, disseminate findings, and collaborate across disciplines
- Research productivity, including the quality and quantity of publications and presentations
Finalists are expected to pre-record their presentations for the annual BRI Research Symposium which will take place on November 5-6, 2026. It is expected that finalists are available to participate in the event.
Applications
To apply for the 2026 Pursuit Award competition, please fill out the application form below and submit it as one PDF to [email protected] using the subject 2026 Pursuit Award Application – [Your Full Name] by Friday, September 25, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
Finalists will be announced during our annual BRI Research Symposium on November 5–6, 2026.
Click here for application form.
For more information, visit Pursuit Awards.
