Awards & Nominations

Each year, the Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society (CMBES) proudly recognizes individuals who are advancing the field of biomedical engineering in Canada. Our annual awards program honours innovation, leadership, and outstanding service to the profession.

The Call for Nominations opens each fall (October to December) which presents an opportunity to highlight colleagues, mentors or individuals whose work deserves national recognition. All nominations are reviewed to ensure that they meet the established Award Criteria. 

An Awards Committee, representing diverse professional backgrounds and regions across Canada, carefully evaluates submissions and recommends recipients to the Executive Committee. 

Awards winners will be notified in the spring and celebrated at the CMBES annual conference gala dinner which is a highlight of the year where we come together to honour excellence and inspire the next generation of professionals. 

Nominate someone exceptional this year and help us celebrate the best in Canadian Biomedical / Clinical Engineering! 

Nomination Timeline:

CMBES is pleased to announce the 2026 Call for Awards with a deadline of January 31, 2026.   Please see the  Awards Nomination Information and Instructions for further details.

Nomination Process

Both the  Primary nomination form and the secondary nomination form should be submitted through the CMBES website.

Award Types and Criteria

1. Outstanding Canadian Biomedical Engineer 
  • Established: 1989 
  • Purpose: Recognize a Canadian biomedical engineer for outstanding professional contributions. 
  • Areas of achievement: 
  • Scientific or technical developments 
  • Leadership, service, or organizational contributions improving healthcare delivery 
  • Prominence in biomedical engineering organizations nationally or internationally 
  • Eligibility: 
    • CMBES member in good standing 
    • Must be a professional engineer (P.Eng.)
    • Actively engaged in biomedical engineering in Canada
  • Timeframe: Achievements within 3 years prior to award year
  • Award: Only one award per year. Certificate presented at the CMBES Conference 
2. Outstanding Canadian BMET 
  • Established: 1982 
  • Purpose: Recognize biomedical engineering technologist excellence 
  • Areas of distinction: 
  • o Scientific or technical abilities 
  • o Exceptional service or technical skills 
  • o Contributions to improving healthcare technology 
  • o National or international recognition in the profession 
  • • Eligibility: 
  • o CMBES member in good standing 
  • o Current Registration in a Canadian Province or Territory as a Certified technician (C.Tech), Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.), Professional Technologist (P.Tech.), Applied Science Technologist (A.Sc.T.) or Technologue professionnel (T.P.) 
  • o Actively engaged in biomedical engineering technology in Canada 
  • Timeframe: Achievements within 3 years prior to award year 
  • Award: Only one award per year. Certificate presented at the CMBES Conference
3. Early Career Achievement Award
  • Established: 2007 
  • Purpose: Recognize young professionals demonstrating exceptional early career achievement. 
  • Eligibility:
      CMBES member in good standing 
    • Graduated from a College or University program related to biomedical engineering 
    • Maximum of 5 total years working in the field of biomedical engineering since graduation at the time of nomination 
    • Areas of distinction: 
    • Client services 
    • Technical performance 
    • Scientific or technology development 
  • Award: Only one award per year. Certificate presented at the CMBES Conference 
4. Lifetime Achievement Award 
  • Established: 2015 
  • Purpose: Recognize Canadian biomedical engineers who have made significant career-long contributions to the profession in Canada and internationally. 
  • Special recognition: not necessarily annual.
5. Special Membership Recognition / Honours Fellow of the Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society (FCMBES) 
  • Established: 1976 
  • Purpose: Recognize members with an exceptional record of accomplishments and service advancing biomedical engineering. 
  • Eligibility / Certification / Timeframe Criteria: 
    • Canadian citizen or permanent resident for ≥3 years 
    • CMBES member in good standing for ≥5 consecutive years at nomination closing date 
    • Exceptional record of accomplishments for ≥10 years, contributing significant value to CMBES and the profession
  • Contribution Categories (one or more may apply): 
    • Leadership: Pioneer, visionary, or exemplary practitioner; acts as leader/ambassador in academia, industry, or clinical settings
    • Innovation: Develop new medical technologies, systems, processes, or standards to improve safety, efficacy, and healthcare delivery 
    • Education: Contribute to training biomedical engineers, technicians, or technologists via teaching, research, writing, or speaking
    • Standards: Contribute to national/international standards or healthcare improvement efforts 
    • International Outreach & Development: Promote healthcare in developing countries, improving availability, safety, and quality of medical equipment 
    • Volunteerism: Serve the profession in a volunteer capacity (CMBES boards, committees, or other biomedical engineering organizations)
  • Nomination Requirements: 
    • Sponsored by two CMBES members (Primary Nominator and Secondary Nominator), preferably with one being a current Fellow. 
  • Award/Recognition: Certificate, FCMBES designation
6. Emeritus 

  • Purpose: Recognize excellence, dedication, leadership, loyalty and service to the profession.

  • Eligibility: Substantially retired members with outstanding lifetime contributions. 

  • Privileges: Fee exemption; no longer a voting member.
7. Honorary 
  • Purpose: Recognize extraordinary non-members who have contributed significantly to CMBES or performed meritorious service on behalf of the Society. 
  • Eligibility: Non-CMBES member 
  • Privileges: Fee exemption; no voting rights.