CTS Beaver Den Innovation Award

What is the 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.

Why are we celebrating innovation?

Innovation drives change. This can mean improved patient care, more effective diagnostic tools and treatments, efficiencies for researchers and clinicians, and so much more. The Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS) is proud to support the CTS Beaver Den Innovation Award. With this award, we hope to advance the Canadian and respiratory medicine innovation agenda and make investments that address respiratory illness and improve the lives of Canadians with respiratory disease.

Who is eligible?

The Award is intended for all Canadian respiratory researchers, including senior and early career researchers as well as small start-up companies dedicated to improving respiratory medicine and patient outcomes for a commercial, social or medical innovation related to respiratory disease.

Eligibility Requirements

• 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 and in-person 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.

How do you/your team apply?

Applicants are asked to submit a proposal using the application form.

The application form should be emailed to lmarshall@cts-sct.ca by 5:00 pm ET on January 25, 2026 along with the following documentation:

• Curriculum vitae outlining any prior research experience and/or publications
• Hi-resolution photo of the applicant along with a brief bio

By submitting the photo and brief bio, the applicant provides consent for the photo and brief bio to be used in promotion of the Award and the CTS Research Forum.

The application process

All applications will be pre-screened by the CTS Research Committee for eligibility. Applications that are late, incomplete and/or do not meet the basic eligibility criteria will not be considered for review.

A multi-disciplinary adjudication committee will review all qualifying applications and select up to five most meritorious finalists. Any reviewers with a Conflict of Interest will recuse themselves from the review process for the corresponding submission and a replacement adjudicator will be enlisted.

Evaluation of applications will be based on three criteria: 1) Novelty, 2) Innovation, and 3) Feasibility.

The finalists will present their Power Pitch at a live in-person session held during the CTS Research Forum in Calgary, on April 15th, 2026 from 4:30 – 6:00 pm MT. The finalists will have the opportunity to present the innovation and answer questions from the judging panel. Following the presentations, the top finalist will be awarded the CTS Beaver Den Innovation Award.