Prizes and 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 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 |
Dissertation prizes
Internal Dissertation Prizes
| Competition | Departmental Nomination Deadline to SGS |
|---|---|
| Concordia University Doctoral Dissertation Prizes | February 15, 2024 |
Concordia University Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation Prizes
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 15, 2024 |
| Prix d’excellence de l’ADDESAQ | February 15, 2024 |
| CGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Awards (American) | April 22, 2024 |
Degree: Doctoral
Deadline for Nominations: February 15, 2024 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, 2023 and December 31, 2023;
- 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, 2023 and December 31, 2023.
Application Procedure
Complete application packages of the call for nomination must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Thesis Office (c/o Nadeem Butt) by February 15, 2024. 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.
Degree: Doctoral
Deadline for Nominations: February 15, 2024.
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, 2023 and December 31, 2023;
- A dissertation in any discipline in the natural sciences and engineering completed and accepted by the School of Graduate Studies between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023;
- A dissertation in any discipline in the health sciences completed and accepted by the School of Graduate Studies between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.
Application Procedure
Complete application packages of the call for nominations must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Thesis Office (c/o Nadeem Butt) by February 15, 2024. 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.
Degree: Doctoral
Deadline for Nominations: April 22, 2024 (for the June 2025 competition).
Eligible Dissertations:
A dissertation completed and accepted by the School of Graduate Studies between July 1, 2022 and April 18, 2024.
Note: The CGS/ProQuest Award operates on a two-year cycle in regard to fields of competition. The fields of competition for 2024 will be Mathematics, Physical Sciences & Engineering; and the Social Sciences.
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 Nadeem Butt) by the internal deadline date. A university committee will select the nominee. Please keep in mind that the entire selection process is based on the written submission.
Degree: Doctoral
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 four key research themes along with its sub-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 at the Spring Convocation, and one Gold Medal at the Fall Convocation.
Spring Convocation:
Category 1: Enhancing inclusion and social justice
- Inclusion and exclusion
- Indigenous histories, territories, languages, arts, present, and futures
- Social justice, public protest, and change
- Cultural production and performance in the public sphere
- Mobility and migration
Category 2: Understanding the foundations of human health and healthy living
- Physical and psychological health and well‐being
- Synthetic biology and genomics, and their applications
- Empowered Aging
- Biomedical engineering and bioengineering.
Fall Convocation:
Category 1: Re-defining / re-imagining life and society through digital technologies and digital creativity
- Computational advances: data analytics, software engineering, artificial intelligence + applications
- Cybersecurity
- Arts, identities, politics, and media through a digital lens
- Smart, innovative, and entrepreneurial solutions to contemporary problems
Category 2: Securing a sustainable and carbon‐neutral future
- Electrification of society
- Sustainable, smart, and resilient aerospace
- Sustainable built environment design, living, and practices
- Sustainable natural and social systems
Eligible Dissertations:
To be eligible for the Spring convocation, applicants must have had their dissertation under the following categories “inclusion and social justice; and foundations of human health and healthy living” 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 “digital technologies and digital creativity; and sustainable and carbon‐neutral future” 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).
Degree: Master’s and Doctoral
Deadline for Nominations: Competitions are administered by the School of Graduate Studies, following faculty nominations only. The call for nomination will be sent to faculty representatives in September. 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.
Awards Schedule:
| Year | Master's | Doctoral |
|---|---|---|
| 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. A university committee will select the nominee. Please keep in mind that the entire selection process is based on the written submission.