Prizes & medals
At each convocation ceremony, a number of distinguished graduates are honoured by receiving special awards and prizes.
Graduation prizes
These prizes are administered by specific departments and faculties.
| Name | Description | Degree |
| The Balvir Singh Medal | Awarded annually, when merited, to a graduating PhD or MA (Economics) student for outstanding achievement in the program. Award is a bronze medal. Administered by the Department of Economics, Arts and Science. | PhD & Master's |
| The Balbir Sahni Outstanding International Graduate Award in Economics | Awarded annually, to an international MA/PhD Economics student with the highest GPA. Administered by the Registrar’s Office. | PhD & Master's |
| The F.A. Gerard Prize (MEng & M Applied Computer Science) | Awarded annually, when merited, to the most deserving graduate of the Master of/ Magistrate in Engineering and Applied Computer Science programs (non-thesis). Award is a plaque from Faculty. Administered by the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science. | Master's |
| The F.A. Gerard Prize (MASc & M Computer Science) | Awarded annually, when merited, to the most deserving graduate of the Master of/ magistrate in Applied Science and Computer Science programs (thesis). Award is a plaque from Faculty. Administered by the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science. | Master's |
| The First Graduating Class Award | Presented on behalf of the first graduating class of the Faculty of Arts, Science and Commerce of Sir George Williams College, known as the Guinea Pig Club, for the most innovative and new contribution either academic or extra‑curricular to University life. This award is open to all faculty, staff and students at Concordia -- it is not just for graduate students. Award is a pin or plaque. Administered by a special graduation awards committee (standing committee of Senate) | PhD & Master's |
| The Gordon Fisher Prize for Journalism (Graduate Diploma Program) | Awarded to the most outstanding graduating student in the Journalism Diploma program. Administered by the Department of Journalism, Arts and Science. | Master's |
| The Hebert F. Quinn Medal for Political Science | Awarded to a graduating MA student with the highest standing in the Master of/Magisteriate in Public Policy and Public Administration program. Award is a bronze medal. Administered by the Department of Political Science, Arts and Science. | Master's |
| The Nishith Mukerji Medal | Awarded annually, when warranted, to the MSc Physics thesis student with the highest standing in the program. Award is a bronze medal. Administered by the Department of Physics, Arts and Science. | Master's |
| The Quadra Chemicals MBA Medal | Donated by Quadra Chemicals Ltd. and awarded to the highest-ranking student graduating with the degree of Master of/ Magisteriate in Business Administration. Administered by the Faculty of John Molson School of Business. | Master's |
| The Stanley G. French Medal | Presented in honour of Dr. Stanley G. French and awarded to a graduating student in a graduate program with high academic standing for outstanding contributions to student life. Award is a bronze medal. Administered by a special graduation awards committee (standing committee of Senate). | PhD & Master's |
| The Uma & Mahesh Sharma Graduate Award | Awarded to a MSc graduating student in consideration of a thesis in management or related discipline judged to be of exceptional merit. Administered by the John Molson School of Business Faculty Research Committee. | Master's |
| The Edward Eastman McCullough MA History Award | Awarded annually, when merited, to a graduating MA student in History in consideration of a research essay judged to be of exceptional merit. Award is a bronze medal. Administered by the Department of History, Arts and Science. | Master's |
| The Juilius and Ilka Ekler Book Prize | Awarded to a graduate student in recognition of his/her outstanding achievement in the area of Judaic Studies. Administered by the Department of Religion, Arts and Science. | Master's |
| Le Prix d'excellence Armand Verthuy | Awarded annually, when merited, to a graduating MA student in Littératures francophones et résonances médiatiques, option B, réalisation médiatique, with preference to a student whose thesis project focuses on cyberculture. Administered by the Département d'études françaises, Arts and Science. | Master's |
| The Joe Kelly Graduate Award | Awarded to a PhD graduating student in consideration of a thesis in management or related discipline judged to be of exceptional merit. Administered by the Faculty of John Molson School of Business. | PhD |
| The Doctoral Prize in Engineering and Computer Science | Awarded annually, when merited, to the most deserving graduate of the Doctor of/ Doctorate in Philosophy programs in the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science. Award is a plaque from Faculty. Administered by the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science. | PhD |
Master's prizes
Each year NAGS recognizes an outstanding Master’s thesis and an outstanding dissertation that has been produced by a student at one of its member institutions. Nominees must have received their degree within three years preceding the year of competition.
Deadline for Nominations: Competitions are administered by the School of Graduate Studies, following Faculty nominations only. Deadline dates are determined by the Dean’s Office of each Faculty and Faculties are to submit their nominations to the School of Graduate Studies by the deadline date that is embedded in the call for nomination email.
Awards Schedule:
| Year | Master's | Doctoral |
| 2023 | Social Sciences and Education | Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering |
| 2024 | Arts and Humanities | Social Sciences and Education |
| 2025 | Agricultural, Biological and Health Sciences | Arts and Humanities |
Doctoral Dissertation Prizes
The awards, prizes and distinctions covered in this section are for doctoral students only. Available details on internal deadlines, application guidelines and forms, and links to agency sites are provided.
Competitions include CAGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Awards, Prix d’excellence de l’Association des doyennes et doyens des études supérieures au Québec (ADDESAQ), the CGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Award, and the Concordia University Doctoral Dissertation Prizes. Competitions are administered by the School of Graduate Studies, following Faculty nominations only.
Internal Dissertation Prizes
| Competition | Departmental Nomination Deadline to SGS |
| Concordia University Doctoral Dissertation Prizes | February 14, 2023 |
In consideration of the increased number of graduate students and programs at Concordia University, the Council of the School of Graduate Studies has established two new doctoral thesis prizes, one for Ph.D. theses in any discipline in Engineering and Natural Sciences; and another for PhD theses in any discipline in Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
The winners will be selected by the University Doctoral Dissertation Selection Committee responsible for the selection of Concordia’s nominations for the ADDESAQ and CAGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Awards every year. Please note that the nomination and selection criteria are identical to those established for the CAGS/UMI awards. Therefore, the Committee nominees for the CAGS/UMI awards will be the winners for the Concordia University Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation prize.
The Concordia University Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation prize will include a $2,000 award and a Certificate; it will be presented each year during Spring Convocation.
External dissertation prizes
| Competition | Departmental Nomination Deadline to SGS |
| CAGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Awards (Canadian) | February 14, 2023 |
| Prix d’excellence de l’ADDESAQ | February 14, 2023 |
| CGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Awards (American) | April 18, 2023 |
Deadline for Nominations: February 14, 2023 to the School of Graduate Studies.
Eligible Dissertations (two categories):
- A dissertation in any discipline in engineering and natural sciences completed and accepted by the School of Graduate Studies between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022;
- A dissertation in any discipline in the fine arts, humanities and social sciences completed and accepted by the School of Graduate Studies between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022.
Application Procedure
Complete application packages of the call for nomination must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Thesis Office (c/o Dolly Grewal) by February 14, 2023. A university committee will select the nominees in the two categories. Please keep in mind that the entire selection process is based on the written submission.
Deadline for Nominations: February 14, 2023.
Eligible Dissertations (choose one of the three categories):
- A dissertation in any discipline in social sciences and humanities completed and accepted by the School of Graduate Studies between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022;
- A dissertation in any discipline in the natural sciences and engineering completed and accepted by the School of Graduate Studies between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022;
- A dissertation in any discipline in the health sciences completed and accepted by the School of Graduate Studies between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022.
Application Procedure
Complete application packages of the call for nominations must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Thesis Office (c/o Dolly Grewal) by February 14, 2023. A university committee will select the nominees in the three categories. Please keep in mind that the entire selection process is based on the written submission.
Deadline for Nominations: April 18, 2023 (for the June 2023 Competition).
Eligible Dissertations:
A dissertation completed and accepted by the School of Graduate Studies between July 1, 2021 and April 18, 2023.
Note: The CGS/ProQuest Award operates on a two-year cycle in regard to fields of competition. The fields of competition for 2023 are Biological/Life Sciences, and Humanities.
Application Procedure
Competitions are administered by the School of Graduate Studies, following Faculty nominations only. Complete application packages comprised of items of the call for nomination must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Thesis Office (c/o Dolly Grewal) by April 18, 2023 (Summer 2023 competition). A university committee will select the nominee. Please keep in mind that the entire selection process is based on the written submission.
Deadline for Nominations: Competitions are administered by the School of Graduate Studies, following Faculty nominations only. Deadline dates are determined by the Dean’s Office of each Faculty and Faculties are to submit their nominations to the School of Graduate Studies by the deadline date that is embedded in the call for nomination email.
"The Governor General’s Academic Medal was first awarded in 1873 by the Earl of Dufferin, and has since become one of the most prestigious awards that a student in a Canadian educational institution can receive. The governor general of Canada continues this tradition of encouraging scholarship across the nation and recognizing outstanding students" (Source: The Governor General of Canada website).
At Concordia University, Governor General Gold Medal Awards are aligned with the six key research themes of the Strategic Research Plan. This structure affirms the link between graduate students and the research mission of the university. The School of Graduate Studies awards one Gold Medal to an outstanding graduate student in at the Spring Convocation, and one Gold Medal at the Fall Convocation.
Spring Convocation:
- Health, Development and Well-being of the Person across the Lifespan and in Society
- Arts, Culture, History and Identity
- People, Organizations and Society.
Fall Convocation:
- Enabling and Disruptive Technologies and their Foundations
- Advanced Materials and their Applications
- Natural Systems, Sustainable Technologies and Sustainable Communities
Eligible Dissertations:
To be eligible for the Spring convocation, applicants must have had their dissertation under the following categories “Health, Development and Well‐being of the Person across the Lifespan and in Society; Arts, Culture, History and Identity; and People, Organizations and Society;” and completed with either an excellent or outstanding thesis ranking and accepted by the School of Graduate Studies between April 1 (past year) to April 1 (current year).
To be eligible for the Fall convocation, applicants must have had their dissertation under the following categories “Enabling and Disruptive Technologies and their Foundations; Advanced Materials and their Applications; and Natural Systems, Sustainable Technologies and Sustainable Communities;” and completed with either an excellent or outstanding thesis ranking and accepted by the School of Graduate Studies between September 1 (past year) and September 1 (current year).
Deadline for Nominations: Competitions are administered by the School of Graduate Studies, following Faculty nominations only. Deadline dates are determined by the Dean’s Office of each Faculty and Faculties are to submit their nominations to the School of Graduate Studies by the deadline date that is embedded in the call for nomination email.
“The Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools (NAGS) is one of four regional affiliates of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). It draws institutional membership from the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C., and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Quebec” (Source: NAGS website).
Each year NAGS recognizes an outstanding Master’s thesis and an outstanding dissertation that has been produced by a student at one of its member institutions. Master’s nominees must have received their degree within three years preceding the year of competition and doctoral candidates must have received their degree within five years of the competition. For instance, the 2023 award will recognize a Master’s thesis in the field of Social Sciences and Education for those who have completed all requirements for a degree after January 1, 2020 are eligible; and a doctoral dissertation in the field of Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering for those who have completed all requirements for a degree after January 1, 2018 are eligible.
Awards Schedule:
| Year | Master's | Doctoral |
| 2023 | Social Sciences and Education | Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering |
| 2024 | Arts and Humanities | Social Sciences and Education |
| 2025 | Agricultural, Biological and Health Sciences | Arts and Humanities |
Application Procedure
Complete application packages comprised of items of the call for nomination must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Thesis Office (c/o Dolly Grewal). A university committee will select the nominee. Please keep in mind that the entire selection process is based on the written submission.