Weston Family Awards in Northern Research and Weston Family Boreal Research Fellowships
Investing in early-career northern researchers whose work aims to protect and restore northern biodiversity in Canada
2026 Weston Family Awards in Northern Research
Each year, the Foundation aims to support:
Up to 15 awards for master’s students valued at $20,000 over one year
Up to 10 awards for doctoral students valued at $120,000 over three years
Up to 5 awards for postdoctoral fellows valued at $130,000 over two years
The Weston Family Awards in Northern Research were established in 2007 with the goal of investing in early-career northern researchers whose work aims to protect and restore northern biodiversity in Canada. Since their inception, the Awards have supported over 400 researchers from more than 40 academic institutions. Research projects have taken place across the country and have focused on many diverse species of flora and fauna.
These annual Awards are considered some of the most generous and prestigious in the country for students who are pursuing a master’s degree, doctoral degree, or postdoctoral fellowship in northern natural sciences. Weston Family Northern Scholars are part of a growing community of researchers who collaborate with northern and Indigenous communities to co-design research that is both locally meaningful and globally relevant. Their work encompasses fields of study such as biodiversity, oceanography, glaciology, geography, environmental science, and more.
Congratulations to our 2026 award recipients. We are honoured to support their important work. Explore this year’s recipients below.
List of Winners
Download the list of all current and past award recipients.
Learn more about Northern Scholar Aidan Sheppard (PhD 2023) and his research project!
Where We Fund
Weston Family Northern Scholars are encouraged to co-design their research with northern communities. Projects must take place in northern Canada. The terrestrial geographic scope of northern Canada for this program is anything north of the southernmost Boreal line as defined by Brandt (2009) The marine geographic scope of northern Canada for this program includes the following marine bioregions:
Arctic Basin
Western Arctic
Arctic Archipelago
Eastern Arctic
Hudson Bay Complex
Newfoundland-Labrador Shlves
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The Extended Stay Program was an important piece of the Weston Family Awards in Northern Research. In past years, the Foundation supported students with projects that took them into communities to engage and share the results and impact of their research. The Extended Stay Program has been paused for the 2026 intake of the Weston Family Awards in Northern Research.
Partners
ArcticNet
The Weston Family Foundation is proud to be a supporter of ArcticNet’s Annual Scientific Meeting. These meetings often include events or learning opportunities for the Weston Family Awards in Northern Research Scholars, Reviewers, and other partners. To learn more about ArcticNet, visit their website
Earth Rangers supports the Weston Family Awards in Northern Research Scholars through their Northern Wildlife Adoption Program. Each year, iconic northern wildlife species are available in plushie form for symbolic adoption by kids and families that are keen to support northern conservation. The proceeds of these adoptions flows directly to select Northern Scholars’ research efforts. These Scholars are also invited to engage with children and youth through Earth Rangers’ science communications efforts. It is a great opportunity to learn about science communications and engaging non-scientific audiences!
WCS Canada Weston Family Boreal Research Fellowships
Since 2009 the Foundation has supported the Weston Family Boreal Research Fellowships offered by Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada). These fellowships support field-based research that contributes to WCS Canada’s conservation objectives or priority research projects in the Ontario Northern Boreal and the Northern Boreal Mountains of British Columbia and the Yukon. Successful applicants receive financial support for their projects along with mentorship from WCS Canada’s scientists and an opportunity to network with other Fellows and Fellowship alumni.
Weston Family Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Northern Research
This prestigious $100,000 Weston Family Prize recognized significant contributions that have helped to shape our thinking and understanding of the North. Prize winners Dr. Wayne Pollard (2019), Dr. Derek Muir (2018), Dr. Michel Allard (2017), Dr. John England (2016), Dr. Ian Stirling (2015), Dr. Charles Krebs (2014), Dr. John Smol (2013), Dr. Louis Fortier (2012), and Dr. Serge Payette (2011) have all made lasting contributions while cultivating the next generation of northern scientists. This annual award culminated in 2019.
