The Award for the Support of Women in the Engineering Profession recognizes engineers who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in advancing the recruitment, retention, and professional development of women in engineering.

Eligibility criteria

Recipients must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada.
  • Be registered in good standing as an engineer (P.Eng., or ing.) with one of Canada’s engineering regulators.
  • Have not previously received this award, the Meritorious Service Award for Community Service, or the Medal for Distinction in Engineering Education.
  • Engineers Canada’s Board Directors, staff of Engineers Canada, staff of Canadian engineering regulators, and sitting councillors for Canadian engineering regulators are not eligible until two years have passed between the last day of their term of office or employment and the nomination deadline.
  • Where an institution or organization is a lead nominator for multiple nominations, they may only nominate a successful recipient in a maximum of two award categories, excluding the Gold Medal Student Award. The order of precedence for determination of eligibility will be:
    • Gold Medal Award
    • Medal for Distinction in Engineering Education
    • Meritorious Service Award for Professional Service
    • Meritorious Service Award for Community Service
    • Award for the Support of Women in the Engineering Profession

Selection criteria

To be considered, nomination packages must be submitted in full, on time, and not exceeding character, word, or page limits. Late or incomplete nomination packages will not be considered. Content in excess of the character, word, or page limit will not be considered.

For the purposes of this award, work-related achievements refer to activities undertaken as part of the core responsibilities of the nominee’s job and/or activities limited to within their workplace that advance women in engineering. Voluntary achievements refer to those activities that are taken outside of their core work and beyond their workplace.

In preparing a nomination package, you are encouraged to use concrete examples and be specific in describing the role(s) performed by the nominee, the impact of the contribution, and relevance to this award.

The Engineers Canada Awards Committee will assess each nomination using the following criteria:

Work-related achievements that have advanced women in engineering (50 points)

Using specific examples, nominees should demonstrate some or all of the following:

  • How their excellence in engineering practice, the teaching of engineering, or the undertaking of engineering research, has positively impacted the recruitment, retention, and professional development of women in engineering.
  • How outreach and engagement activities as part of their job responsibilities have positively impacted the recruitment, retention, and professional development of women in engineering.
  • How their support of women in engineering has advanced their engineering work and as a result improved the lives of Canadians and others.
  • Leadership and mentorship in their workplace to support women in engineering.

Voluntary achievements that have advanced women in engineering (50 points)

Using specific examples, nominees should demonstrate some or all of the following:

  • How their participation in engineering associations, societies, institutes, and other professional bodies have positively impacted the recruitment, retention, and professional development of women in engineering.
  • How their participation in programs or activities have positively impacted the recruitment, retention, and professional development of women in engineering.
  • How their professional leadership, mentorship, and/or role model activities outside of the workplace have positively impacted the recruitment, retention, and professional development of women in engineering.
  • How they have promoted the positive impact that a diverse engineering profession provides to society.
  • How their active and impactful participation in the community through volunteerism in non-engineering roles have advanced equity, diversity, and inclusion in our society. This may include: volunteer roles with non-profit and charitable organizations; participation in voluntary commissions, boards or task forces; government administration; and, other contributions that benefit their community.

Award benefits

  • The Award for the Support of Women in the Engineering Profession recipient is presented with their award and certificate during the annual Engineers Canada Awards Gala, held each year in conjunction with Engineers Canada’s Spring Meetings and Annual Meeting of Members. The event typically takes place in late May.
  • Recipients of the Award for the Support of Women in the Engineering Profession are admitted as a Fellow of Engineers Canada (FEC).
  • Award recipients participate in promotional activities arranged by Engineers Canada.

How to apply

The nomination form must be completed online in a single session (you cannot save your work and come back to it later). It is strongly recommended to read the nomination form entirely before you begin to ensure you have all necessary information and documents ready. In addition to completing the form, required documents include:

  • A copy of the nominee’s resume (5 pages maximum)
  • Two letters of support - Each letter should provide evidence and validation of the contributions described in the nomination package. (2 pages maximum per letter)

Nominations are currently closed. The nomination period for the upcoming year will open in the fall of 2024.