Each year, we proudly honour excellence in our specialty! Our annual Awards, Grants and Bursaries celebrate individual excellence, expertise, outstanding achievements, professional development, and superior contributions to the association and our critical care specialty. You may self-nominate or submit a CACCN member colleague who has made a difference, we welcome your nominations.
Award Submission Deadline: June 1 by 1600 hrs Eastern Time
Certification Bursary Applications for the 2026 certification year deadline: March 31, 2027
CACCN Overall Award Criteria
The Overall Award Criteria applies to all awards, grants and bursaries.
Nominees and applicants must:
- be a current/active member of the Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses (CACCN) for a minimum of one (1) year prior to the application/nomination.
- Exceptions to the membership criteria are: Brenda Morgan Leadership Excellence Award – member, for a minimum of five (5) consecutive years and Life Member Award – member, for a minimum of ten (10) consecutive years.
- be licensed to practice nursing in Canada – Exception to the licensing is the Life Member Award.
- complete the application/nomination via the online award, bursary and grant submission system.
- provide signed applications and/or nomination letters (physical or electronic signatures accepted), where required.
- provide contact information for applicants, nominees and those providing character references, chapter and/or national involvement, to verify authenticity, where required.
- applications sent via email and incomplete applications (documentation missing) after the deadline will not be accepted.
Important Information:
- Be sure to read / review the overall and individual award criteria, as incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Applications can be revised up to the date/time of the deadline noted above.
- Exceptions to the overall and award criteria unfortunately cannot be granted.
- Exception to the annual June 1 deadline is the Certification Bursary – Initial and Renewal
Thank you to our sponsors – we value your support!
| Award, Grant, Bursary | Information | Deadline, Criteria, Application Links |
BBraun Sharing Expertise Award Sponsored by BBraun Medical of Canada Ltd | Presented to an individual who exhibits stellar leadership and mentoring abilities in critical care. Award: Conference Tuition, Travel Bursary, Hotel Bursary to a maximum of $1750 | Criteria Online Submission Deadline: June 1 annually |
Spacelabs Innovative Project Awards Sponsored by Spacelabs Healthcare | Presented to a critical care nurse or group of critical care nurses who develop a project that will enhance their professional development. Awards: 1st Place $1000, 2nd Place $ 500 OR Two Awards: $750 | Criteria Online Submission Deadline: June 1 annually |
| Life Member Sponsored by CACCN | Conferred by the CACCN Board of Directors to individuals who have demonstrated sustained support and exceptional contributions to the Association, as well as the advancement of the art and science of critical care nursing through practice, education, research leadership and advocacy for the specialty. Award: Conference Tuition, Travel Bursary, Hotel Bursary to a maximum of $2000 | Members may suggest potential Life Member nominees by emailing caccn@caccn.ca. |
| Brenda Morgan Leadership Excellence Award Sponsored by CACCN | Presented to a critical care nurse who, on a consistent basis demonstrates outstanding performance in leadership in CACCN and critical care. Award: $ 1000 plus keeper trophy | Currently under review Criteria Online Submission Deadline: June 1 annually |
| Canadian Intensive Care Week “Spotlight” Challenge Award Sponsored by CACCN | Presented to a group of critical care nurses who develop an activity and/or event to profile their local Critical Care Team during Canadian Intensive Care Week held annually in October. Bursary: $500 | Criteria Online Submission Deadline: June 1 annually |
| Certification Bursary Initial Certification Sponsored by CACCN | Provided annually to assist critical care nurses who successfully complete the certification examination in our specialty – CNCC(C) and CNCCP(C). Initial: $1,000 annually 2 eligible members @ $500 each | Completion of the certification examination in Spring or Fall of 2026 to be eligible. Criteria Online Submission A copy of your Certification certificate is required. Deadline: March 31, 2027 |
| Certification Bursary Renewal Certification Sponsored by CACCN | Provided annually to assist critical care nurses who successfully renew certification in our specialty – CNCC(C) and CNCCP(C). Renewal: $1,000 annually 4 eligible members @ $250 each | Completion of certification renewal between January 1 and December 15, 2026 to be eligible. Criteria Online Submission A copy of your Certification Renewal letter is required. Deadline: March 31, 2027 |
| Chasing Excellence Award Sponsored by CACCN | Presented to a critical care nurse who consistently demonstrates excellence in critical care nursing practice. Award: $ 1000 | Deadline: June 1 annually Criteria Online Submission |
Graduate Education Bursary Sponsored by CACCN | Presented to assist a critical care nurse to pursue Master’s or Doctoral education with a focus on critical care nursing. Bursary: $1000 | Criteria Sample Application Merit Points application Word PDF Gather all of your documentation before submission as applicants will be required to provide confirmation during the submission process – must have a minimum of 300 points to apply for bursary. Online Submission Deadline: June 1 annually |
| Research Grant Sponsored by CACCN | Awarded to a critical care nurse who is the investigator of a research study that is relevant to the practice of critical care nursing. Grant: $2500 | Grant Criteria Research Grant Estimated Budget Form Online Submission Deadline: June 1 annually |
Questions: contact National Office at caccn@caccn.ca or 866-477-9077 / 519-207-7007