Sanofi Pasteur Medal for Excellence in Health Research Journalism

"Most people, most of the time, learn most of what they know outside the classroom." - George Tressel (1990)

Canadians for Health Research (CHR) and Sanofi Pasteur are pleased to announce the Sanofi Pasteur Medal for Excellence in Health Research Journalism. The creation of this national award is intended to highlight the pivotal role that journalists play in raising public awareness of the importance of health research in Canada. The award consists of a medal plus a $2,500 bursary.

Writers and producers in any medium are eligible for the award. CHR will award the Sanofi Pasteur Medal to a candidate who has demonstrated excellence in the reporting of health research for a printed publication, a broadcast outlet, or an electronic product. Nominated entries must have appeared in Canada during the preceding calendar year.

Applicants must have demonstrated an interest and effort in reporting health research issues within Canada. Some examples of these issues include:

• research into specific medical or health topics
• government policy which affects Canadian health research
• educational programs about Canadian health research
• the importance of Canadian health research for health-care delivery

A committee composed of journalists, editors and scientists will screen and judge entries and recommend the award to CHR. The decision of the judging committee is final.

Selection will be based on the following criteria:

• accuracy of scientific content
• impact in promoting a scientifically literate population with respect to health research issues (e.g. audience reach, response to article)
• publication of the article(s) in the preceding calendar year (i.e. January 1 - December 31, 2016)
• presentation and clarity
• originality and creativity

The successful candidate is expected to attend the award presentation ceremony held prior to the Canadian Science Writers' Association Awards Banquet in Ottawa, Ontario on September (DTBD). All reasonable travel and hotel expenses will be reimbursed to the award winner.

The award is administered in full by CHR and the judging panel is independent of Sanofi Pasteur. Competition results are released sometime in August.

There is no application form. Entries may be submitted directly by journalists or recommended by others (e.g. editors, colleagues, scientific societies, or the public) and should include the following information in this order:

• applicant's name, title, mailing address, e-mail address, fax and phone number
• the article to be judged (1 original exactly as it appeared in publication plus 4 copies with name, publication and date removed to ensure anonymity)
• evidence of publication during the preceding calendar year (name of publication and publication date)

Up to two separate articles may be submitted per applicant. Please make separate submissions for each article. Series articles on a particular topic/theme will be considered as a single submission.

A complete application package includes five copies of the required documentation. All entries become the property of Canadians for Health Research.

All applications must be postmarked no later than June 5, 2017 and sent to:

Canadians for Health Research
PO Box 126
Westmount QC H3Z 2T1
Phone: (514) 398-7478
Fax: (514) 398-8361

 

Sanofi Pasteur

Sanofi, a global healthcare leader, discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions focused on patients' needs. Sanofi has core strengths in diabetes solutions, human vaccines, innovative drugs, consumer healthcare, emerging markets, animal health and Genzyme. Sanofi is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE: SNY).

Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of Sanofi, provides more than 1 billion doses of vaccine each year, making it possible to immunize more than 500 million people across the globe. A world leader in the vaccine industry, Sanofi Pasteur produces a portfolio of high quality vaccines that match its areas of expertise and meet public health demand. The company's heritage, to create vaccines that protect life, dates back more than a century. Sanofi Pasteur is the largest company entirely dedicated to vaccines. Every day, the company invests more than EUR 1 million in research and development. For more information, please visit: www.sanofipasteur.com or www.sanofipasteur.us

Canadians for Health Research

CHR is a national, federally charted, nonprofit organization founded in 1976. Dedicated to promoting the understanding and communication of medical matters by the public, scientific community and government, CHR is made up of organizations and individuals who share these goals.