Deadline: 11-Sep-2026
Applications are now open for the 16th Annual Pursuit Award, an international research award that recognizes PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and recent doctoral graduates conducting research in pediatric disability.
The award supports excellence in childhood disability research aimed at improving outcomes for children and youth with disabilities, acquired injuries, and developmental differences. It encourages innovative research that advances participation, inclusion, quality of life, rehabilitation practices, knowledge translation, and evidence-based improvements in childhood disability services.
About the Award
The Pursuit Award recognizes emerging researchers whose work has the potential to advance knowledge and improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities.
The award highlights outstanding research contributions in pediatric disability and provides a platform for researchers to share their findings with the broader childhood disability research community through the annual BRI Research Symposium.
The competition is open to international applicants and focuses on research that can influence practice, policy, service delivery, and future research in childhood disability.
Focus Areas
The award supports research in areas including:
- Pediatric disability research
- Childhood rehabilitation
- Developmental disabilities
- Acquired childhood injuries
- Participation and inclusion
- Quality of life outcomes
- Family and community support
- Innovation in clinical practice
- Knowledge translation
- Interdisciplinary research
- Health services and care delivery
- Evidence-informed policy development
- System-level improvements in childhood disability services
Purpose of the Award
The primary goal of the award is to recognize and promote excellence in pediatric disability research.
Key objectives include:
- Supporting emerging researchers in childhood disability
- Encouraging innovative and impactful research
- Advancing evidence-based practice and policy
- Promoting interdisciplinary collaboration
- Strengthening knowledge translation activities
- Recognizing future leaders in pediatric disability research
- Improving outcomes for children, youth, families, and communities
Award Prizes
The Pursuit Award provides monetary prizes to selected recipients.
Key funding details include:
- First Place Prize: CAD $3,000
- Second Place Prize: CAD $2,000
- Third Place Prize: CAD $1,000
- The award is limited to these prize amounts
- No additional research funding is provided
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements to be considered.
Eligible applicants include:
- Current PhD students within six months of completing their dissertation defense
- Postdoctoral fellows within one year of PhD completion
- Recent PhD graduates within one year of degree completion
- International applicants conducting research focused on pediatric disability
Evaluation Criteria
Finalists will be evaluated across several areas.
Academic Excellence
Assessment may include:
- Academic training
- Educational achievements
- Research experience
- Scholarships and awards
- Academic distinctions
Research Potential
Assessment may include:
- Originality of research
- Innovation and creativity
- Critical thinking
- Scientific rigor
- Potential to influence practice, policy, or future research
Knowledge Translation
Assessment may include:
- Stakeholder engagement
- Dissemination activities
- Partner collaboration
- Cross-disciplinary approaches
- Translation of research into practice
Research Productivity
Assessment may include:
- Publications
- Conference presentations
- Research outputs
- Scholarly contributions
Application and Selection Process
The selection process is designed to identify outstanding researchers in pediatric disability.
Steps include:
- Submission of an application through the official application process
- Review of eligibility requirements
- Assessment of academic excellence and research achievements
- Evaluation of research impact and innovation
- Selection of finalists based on established criteria
- Preparation of a pre-recorded research presentation by finalists
- Participation in the annual BRI Research Symposium
- Final evaluation and award selection
Finalists are required to be available for the BRI Research Symposium, scheduled for November 5–6, 2026.
Presentation Requirements
Selected finalists must:
- Prepare a pre-recorded presentation of their research
- Present their work as part of the annual symposium
- Be available to participate during the symposium dates
- Meet all presentation requirements established by the organizers
Importance of the Award
The Pursuit Award plays an important role in recognizing emerging researchers who are advancing pediatric disability research.
Key benefits include:
- International recognition for research excellence
- Increased visibility within the childhood disability research community
- Opportunities to share research findings with experts and stakeholders
- Professional development and networking opportunities
- Recognition of research that improves outcomes for children and youth with disabilities
- Support for future career advancement in research and academia
Application Tips
Stronger applications typically demonstrate:
- A clear focus on pediatric disability research
- Innovative and impactful research questions
- Strong academic achievements
- Evidence of research excellence
- Effective knowledge translation activities
- Meaningful stakeholder engagement
- High-quality publications or presentations
- Potential to influence policy, practice, or future research
Common Application Mistakes
Applications may be weakened by:
- Research that does not clearly focus on pediatric disability
- Limited explanation of research impact
- Weak knowledge translation activities
- Incomplete application materials
- Failure to demonstrate originality or innovation
- Insufficient evidence of research productivity
- Not meeting eligibility timelines for degree completion
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pursuit Award?
- The Pursuit Award is an international research award that recognizes outstanding PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and recent doctoral graduates conducting pediatric disability research.
How much funding is available?
- First Place: CAD $3,000
- Second Place: CAD $2,000
- Third Place: CAD $1,000
Who can apply?
- Current PhD students within six months of completing their defense.
- Postdoctoral fellows within one year of PhD completion.
- Recent PhD graduates within one year of degree completion.
- International applicants are eligible.
What research areas are supported?
- Pediatric disability research.
- Childhood rehabilitation.
- Developmental disabilities.
- Acquired childhood injuries.
- Participation and inclusion.
- Quality of life and related childhood disability topics.
Are international applicants eligible?
- Yes. The award is open to international applicants whose research focuses on pediatric disability.
Are finalists required to present their research?
- Yes. Selected finalists must submit a pre-recorded presentation and participate in the annual BRI Research Symposium.
When will the symposium take place?
- The BRI Research Symposium will take place on November 5–6, 2026.
Conclusion
The 16th Annual Pursuit Award recognizes outstanding emerging researchers working to improve the lives of children and youth with disabilities. Through international recognition, monetary prizes, and participation in the BRI Research Symposium, the award highlights innovative research that advances rehabilitation, inclusion, quality of life, and evidence-based improvements in childhood disability services.
For more information, visit Holland Bloorview.