Objective of the award

The objective of the award is to encourage and support a graduate student in Canada whose thesis embodies the concept of increasing our knowledge of the geological history of Canada through field mapping. The thesis will meet this requirement by incorporating mapping as a significant component.

Mary-Claire Ward, the former Chairman of Watts, Griffis and McOuat Ltd., was a tireless and vocal advocate for government investment in basic geoscience in Canada.  She was especially supportive of mapping programs to ensure Canada’s geological knowledge base was conceptually and factually correct in order that it might support private sector investment in the mineral sector.

Application deadline: Dec 15, 2025.

Application Guidelines

Krishana Michaud
Student & Early Career Program
416.362.1969, x297
[email protected]

Selection committee

The selection committee for the Mary-Claire Ward Geoscience Award comprises representatives of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC), Watts Griffis and McOuat Limited (WGM), the National Geological Surveys Committee (NGSC) and the Geological Association of Canada (GAC). 

Criteria for evaluation

The applications will be evaluated based on a combination of the academic excellence of the individual, the excellence and innovation of the thesis project, the degree to which the individual is advancing the mapping-based geoscientific knowledge of Canada, and the evidence of progress as indicated by scholarly contributions (papers, talks, posters).

What constitutes mapping

The committee views geoscience mapping as any field-based study whose aim is to provide 2-D and 3-D maps (portrayals) of reasonably sized areas of Canada, and an understanding of the geological evolution of those areas/volumes (meaning complementary lab studies of various types). A significant boots-on-the-ground component is expected though this may be integrated with other methods such as remote sensing, geophysics, etc.

Student eligibility

In order to be eligible for this award, the student must have active student status at a Canadian post-secondary institution until the last day of April in the year the award is presented. Previous recipients of this award are not eligible to apply.

Application Form

Please complete the following information:

1.
2. Date of application 
3.

4. The degree(s) that you have already completed

Date completed 
Add degree

5. The degree that applies to this award

Commencement date 
Planned completion date 

8. Details about your planned thesis (refer to application guidelines)

550 words left

9. Details about the geoscience mapping component of your thesis (refer to application guidelines)

300 words left

10. A map that illustrates the nature and content of the thesis project (refer to application guidelines)

11. Please answer the following question (refer to application guidelines)

550 words left

12. References (see notes below)

Supervisor
Full university address, including department
Or
Second Reference (ideally from a previous employer in the mineral industry or geological survey)
Company
Or