Up to $3 million to be awarded across three prize categories
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP). In 2020, up to 10 teams can win prize money to help them launch initiatives that will bring about the changes they want to see in their communities.
“After consulting with our many partners, laureates and supporters from across the North, we have decided to go ahead with the Call for Nominations this year,” said Glen Brocklebank, Trustee representing Laureates on the Arctic Inspiration Prize Charitable Trust. “With the impact of COVID-19, communities across the North are facing new and unprecedented challenges. Our network overwhelmingly told us the AIP is more important than ever in helping Northern teams address these challenges.” “We look forward to supporting more exciting new initiatives for the North this year,” Brocklebank added.
Teams can be nominated in one of three categories: one exceptional team can win $1 million, up to four teams can win up to $500,000 each, and up to seven youth teams can win up to $100,000 each. The Youth prize category seeks to inspire the next generations of Arctic innovators to develop projects that address issues and opportunities relevant to them. Nominations will be accepted until October 14, 2020.
Potential projects can address any opportunities or challenges that are of importance to the Canadian Arctic and its communities. A project can have one or more focus areas such as, but not limited to: education, training, health and wellness, environment and climate change, recreation, tourism, culture and economic development.
Last year, a more than $2.6 million was shared among eight northern teams for their innovative plans to inspire change and improve the lives of people living in their communities. Northern Compass, a program to create culturally relevant pathways from high school through postsecondary education and on to fulfilling careers for youth in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, received the top prize of $1 million. In addition, four prizes were awarded in the AIP category that awards up to $500,000; and three teams received funds for their project in the Youth category that awards up to $100,000.
For the 2020 prize, teams can submit an optional Letter of Intent to receive feedback on their project’s eligibility for the prize. The submission deadline for the Letter of Intent is September 8, 2020.
More information about the AIP, past Laureates, and the nomination process is available on the AIP website.
About the Arctic Inspiration Prize
As the largest annual prize in Canada with a focus on the Arctic, the Arctic Inspiration Prize (AIP) encourages, enables and celebrates the inspiring achievements of the people of the North. The AIP recognizes diverse teams and enables their innovative projects in the fields of education, sustainable housing, health, performing arts, traditional knowledge, language, and science. Each year, the AIP awards up to $3 million: one $1 million prize, up to four prizes of up to $500,000 each, and up to seven youth prizes of up to $100,000 each.
The AIP is owned and governed by the northern-led AIP Charitable Trust and supported by Indigenous organizations, governments, industry, philanthropy, and many other partners from the North and South, with management support provided by the Rideau Hall Foundation.
For more information:
Arctic Inspiration Prize
613-277-4074
[email protected]
