CTS Awards & Recognitions
The Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) recognizes exceptional contributions in respiratory medicine through our comprehensive awards program. We celebrate excellence across research, clinical practice, education, and service to advance respiratory healthcare in Canada and beyond.
Each year, we celebrate the achievements of our members through a comprehensive awards program. Whether you’re conducting groundbreaking research, providing exceptional patient care, mentoring the next generation, or innovating in practice delivery, we have awards that recognize your contributions.
Below you’ll find details about each award, including eligibility criteria and submission requirements. We encourage all members to nominate deserving colleagues or apply for awards that match their accomplishments.
Leadership
CTS Dedicated Service Award
The CTS Dedicated Service Award recognizes the dedication and commitment of individuals who have furthered the work of the CTS in respiratory health.
- The award honours an individual who demonstrates exceptional dedication and service to respiratory health
- Demonstrates outstanding compassion, support and commitment to patients and colleagues
- Enhances clinical care in his or her community and demonstrating commitment to and/or contribution to the development of a culture of collegiality and collaboration.
Jan 14, 2026
Research
Pediatric Assembly Early-Career Outstanding Contributions Award
This award recognizes the significant contribution of an individual in the area of clinical care, education, advocacy, research and/or other scholarly activity.
- Demonstrating contribution to the advancement of the field of pediatric respirology in Canada
- Holding an MD and/or a PhD
- Being a member of the Pediatric Assembly within the Canadian Thoracic Society
- Being in early career in the area of pediatric respirology: within the first 7-10 years of completion of their training
Jan 14, 2026
Education
NEW: CTS Educator Award
The award honours an individual who, during their career, demonstrated exceptional leadership and service in education.
- An outstanding commitment to advancing educational excellence in respiratory medicine
- A commitment to mentorship of respiratory trainees and early career healthcare professionals
- A commitment to inclusive, supportive and collaborative learning environments
- Outstanding innovation, influence and inspiration to others.
Jan 14, 2026
Research
Beaver Den Innovation Award
The Beaver Den Innovation Award celebrates innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in respiratory research. One award of $10,000 will be provided to the top finalist based on the Beavers’ consensus decision at the power pitch competition.
- One submission per applicant will be accepted.
- Award funds are solely intended for Canadian innovations.
- Applicants must currently reside in Canada.
- The funds awarded may be used as a standalone or may be further leveraged by applying for funding from another source.
- Applicants must be available to present their Power Pitch to the judging panel during a live session at the CTS Research Forum in Calgary, on April 15th, 2026 from 4:30 – 6:00 pm MT. Applicants must also agree to have the session recorded and posted online as an on-demand viewing session.
- A project and financial status report will be requested and should be submitted on June 1st of the ensuing year(s) that the project is running.
April 15, 2026
Research
CTS Honorary Lecture
This award honours an individual who has contributed greatly to the field of research, education, or clinical excellence in Canadian respiratory medicine and to the CTS by:
- Contributing significantly to the development of research, education or clinical excellence in the field of Canadian respiratory medicine
- Demonstrating strength and reputation of the proposed nominee in the field of respiratory medicine in Canada
- Contributing greatly to the mission and vision of the CTS
- Being an active member of the CTS
Fall 2026
Leadership
CTS Distinguished Achievement Award
The CTS Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes the leadership and service of individuals who have furthered the work of the CTS in respiratory health.
- Demonstrating an outstanding commitment to furthering the mission and objectives of the CTS
- Demonstrating his/her commitment to support collaboration in the advancement of lung health
- Demonstrating outstanding initiative and inspiration to others
- Being an active member of the CTS
Jan 14, 2026
Leadership
Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology
The Lifetime Achievement Award in Pediatric Respirology recognizes an individual for lifetime achievement in the field of pediatric respirology each year. Any respirologist – or physician in a related specialty – can be nominated for this award.
- Distinguished clinical service and dedication to patient care
- Significant contribution to clinical or basic science research in the field of
pediatric respirology - Dedication to the education of pediatric respiratory fellows or students
- Significant contribution to academic pediatric respirology in Canada, including
the Canadian Thoracic Society or Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Jan 14, 2026
Leadership
CRHP Distinction Award
The CRHP Distinction Award aims to reflect the CRHP mission. Specifically, the award will recognize healthcare professionals who have enhanced respiratory care through unique or long-term contributions.
- Actively engaged in the mentorship of other health-care professionals and who serve as role models for professionalism and volunteerism.
- Significant contribution to respiratory care must be demonstrated over at least 5 consecutive years of CRHP membership, with service to respiratory health through involvement in CRHP and/or The Lung Association, at the local, regional and/or national level
- For those with more short-term contributions, the unique nature of the contribution must be emphasized
Jan 14, 2026
Research
Canadian Respiratory Health Professionals (CRHP) Research Poster Award
Poster Competition for the best poster submitted by a member of the CTS CRHP Assembly.
Winter 2026
Research
CTS Distinguished Lectureship in Respiratory Sciences
Established in 2006, the ICRH and CTS have established the annual Distinguished Lecturer in Respiratory Sciences Award to recognize scholarship and creativity in the respiratory sciences.
This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of respiratory sciences in Canada by:
- Demonstrating significant impact of research contributions in respiratory sciences in Canada & internationally (i.e. key/important research results or findings) over the last 10 years
- Demonstrating relevance/application/impact of research to a clinical setting (i.e. translational research, ‘from bench to bedside’)
- Demonstrating strength and reputation in the field of respiratory sciences in Canada
- Demonstrating impact in the environment of mentorship and training on the development of early career scientist and other highly qualified personnel in Canada and internationally
- Contributing to the CTS
Fall 2026
Research
CTS Canadian Respiratory Guidelines Committee (CRGC) Louis-Philippe Boulet Poster Award
Established in 2022 to recognize an individual’s innovation in the methodology, development, and/or implementation of clinical practice guidelines.
- Poster Competition for the best poster in guideline and implementation science.
- Authors must be CTS members.
Spring 2026
For questions about the awards program or nomination process, please contact us below: