In tribute to the pursuit of excellence in research that the late Canadian scientist Dr. Bertram N. Brockhouse exemplified and inspired, NSERC is proud to offer an interdisciplinary research prize in his name.
The Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering recognizes outstanding Canadian teams of researchers from different disciplines who have combined their expertise to produce achievements of outstanding international significance in the natural sciences and engineering in the last six years.
The Brockhouse Canada Prize competition is held annually. It supports Dr. Brockhouse's vision of interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration in Canadian research and celebrates the excellence he exemplified in his career. The prize is accompanied by a team research grant of $250,000, which may be used to support the direct costs of university-based research and/or the enhancement of research facilities. The grant may be distributed in one lump sum or up to five instalments, depending on the needs of the recipients. The selection committee may recommend not to award the prize in a given year if there is no outstanding nomination.
Dr. Brockhouse was the co-recipient of the 1994 Nobel Prize in Physics for, according to the Nobel Committee for Physics, his "pioneering development of neutron scattering techniques for studies of condensed matter" and for his "development of neutron spectroscopy." His research revolutionized scientists' ability to chart atomic dynamics. Throughout his career, Dr. Brockhouse's passion for his work also inspired young researchers to pursue careers in research.