Special Awards are donated by families, individuals, companies, organizations and groups to recognize deserving projects that deal with topics of interest to the donor.
Artistically Inspired Display Awards
Two awards of $50 each for projects with the most artistically inspired display.
Association for Iron & Steel Technology Northern Chapter Awards
Three awards: $250 (First), $150 (Second), and $100 (Third) for outstanding projects related to one of the following fields: metallurgy, materials science, chemical, electrical, mechanical, industrial, environmental, civil and computer engineering.
Bay Area Health Trust Scholarship / Paul Lakin Life Sciences Award
A $750 Scholarship awarded to an outstanding grade 11 or 12 project in the Life Sciences category demonstrating scientific excellence. Pair project will split the scholarship. Award to be redeemed upon acceptance and registration into any undergraduate program at a Canadian post-secondary college or university.
Dr. Laura Blew Social Sciences Awards
Two awards of $100 each for projects that best demonstrate an understanding of the scientific process as it applies to social sciences issues.
Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (Hamilton Branch) Awards
Two awards of $100 for outstanding projects relating to mining, metallurgy and petroleum.
Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society Awards
Two awards – $100 (First) and $50 (Second) for excellent projects in meteorological and/or oceanographic sciences (weather, air quality, climate, climate changes and /or the oceans). The awards also include a one year free CMOS Membership.
Canadian Nuclear Society (Golden Horseshoe Branch) Awards
Two awards of $125 each for intermediate or senior projects and two awards of $75 each for junior projects relating to nuclear science and engineering, energy research or climate sciences.
Carleton University Faculty of Engineering and Design and Faculty of Science
$1,000 entrance scholarship applied to tuition fees; conditional on the student enrolling and registering in a program with the faculty of engineering and design or the faculty of science at Carleton University for the fall 2025 semester.
Doris Casey and Gwen Nicolls Disability Solutions Awards
Two awards of $100 for projects showing the most innovative and creative technical solution focused on assisting individuals to overcome physical or cognitive disabilities.
Chemical Institute of Canada – Hamilton Section Awards
Three awards of $100 each for deserving projects related to chemistry, chemical engineering, or chemical technology.
Conservation Halton Awards
Two awards of $100 each for projects that contribute to environmental research, protection, conservation, restoration or awareness by Halton students.
Dillon Consulting Awards
Two awards of $250 each; one for projects showing excellence in science and/or engineering and one for projects showing excellence in biological sciences.
Dr. M. Doyle Award
An award of $250 for the best Biology project and a trophy for the winner’s school.
Environmental Inspiration Award
One award of $250 for the best environmental project that addresses an environmental problem in an inspirational or innovative way.
Electrical Contractors Association of Niagara Hamilton Awards
Two awards of $250 each for projects displaying the best and safest use of electricity in the most creative manner.
Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Awards
A grand award of $750, which includes a one-hour interview with one of Farncombe’s researchers to discuss further education and research opportunities, and two awards of $250. For projects that explore digestive health, related diseases or general family nutrition through experimentation or in depth literature.
Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health Award
An award of $250 and a tour of the research labs at the Firestone Institute for the best senior project on lung health, air pollution, allergy or respiratory infections.
Gowling WLG Innovation Awards
Three awards for projects best demonstrating potentially patentable subject matter. Grand Prize of $300 includes a complimentary virtual consultation with a patent or trademark agent. Runner up receives $200 and Honourable Mention receives a certificate.
Hamilton Amateur Astronomers Awards
Four awards of $100 each for the best projects related to astronomy, physics, light pollution abatement, or space travel. Two awards for students in Grade 7 to 9, and two for students in Grade 10 to 12.
Hamilton Association for the Advancement of Literature, Science & Art
One award of $250 for a project that best combines personal initiative and creativity with a sound, demonstrated understanding of the scientific method.
Hamilton Wentworth Occasional Teacher Awards
Three awards of $50 each to junior projects.
Environment & Education Award
For a project that most effectively educates others about an environmental issue.
Healthy Lifestyles Award
For a project that most effectively educates others regarding the role of nutrition and/or exercise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Presentation & Aesthetics Award
For a project that demonstrates a high level of visual appeal, creativity, and overall quality of presentation.
Harrison Family Chemistry Award
An award of $100 for a project that has significant chemistry content.
Hillfield Strathallan College Awards of Excellence
Three Awards of $100
Life Sciences Award
For a junior project that best displays excellence in life sciences.
Scientific Process Award
For an intermediate project that best demonstrates an understanding of the scientific process.
Innovation Award
Senior level project that best displays innovation related to any science or engineering.
Hillfield Strathallan College Entrance Scholarship Award
A $5,000 entrance scholarship towards tuition fees for a grade 8 or intermediate project.
John W. Howard Materials Research Award
One award of $100 for a project demonstrating innovation in engineering materials, especially concrete.
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) Hamilton Section Awards
Two awards of $100 each for projects showing the best use of Electronics in a Science or Engineering project.
International Science & Engineering Affiliated Fair Awards
Certificates for deserving intermediate and senior projects.
American Psychological Association
For a project showing outstanding research in psychological science in the category of behavioural and social sciences or any category related to psychology.
Ricoh USA, Inc.
For an outstanding project that addresses issues of environmental responsibility and sustainable development.
Society for In Vitro Biology
For an outstanding Grade 11 project in the areas of plant or animal in vitro biology or tissue culture.
Yale Science & Engineering Association
For the top Grade 11 project in computer science, engineering, physics or chemistry.
Laurentian Chapter of SETAC Awards
Two awards of $100 each for the best projects and presentations on a topic related to environmental toxicology, chemistry, pollution, contamination, remediation or environmental protection.
Dr. Colin J.L. Lock Memorial Chemistry Award
One award of $100 for a project involving chemistry, especially crystals.
Ola Lunyk-Child Memorial Health Awards
Three awards: First ($250), Second ($150) and Third ($100) for excellent projects related to any aspect of nursing, nursing research or other medically related fields.
Mahut-Brent Award for Young People in Science and Engineering
$100 and a Giant Microbe for an outstanding project by a young person in science that demonstrates an excellent application of scientific thought and creativity towards a subject matter that the participant is passionate about.
McMaster University Department of Chemical Engineering
One award of $250 for an outstanding intermediate or senior project demonstrating aspects of chemical engineering.
McMaster University Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Award
One award of $100 for an outstanding senior or intermediate project related to chemistry or chemical biology.
McMaster University Faculty of Engineering Entrance Awards
Seven $1,000 Entrance Awards for senior projects demonstrating excellence in science, technology, engineering or math, to be redeemed upon acceptance of admission to the Faculty of Engineering at McMaster University, Hamilton. Pair projects split the scholarship.
McMaster University MGD Institute for Infectious Disease Research Awards
Three awards for excellent projects in infectious disease, drug discovery or human health. Grand prize of $250 includes a one hour interview/discussion with a senior person at IIDR for the winner and their families about science/university/careers. One award of $100 and one award of $50.
McMaster University School of Earth, Environment and Society
Two awards of $100
Earth and Environmental Sciences Award
For an outstanding project in Earth Science or Environmental Science.
Geography Award
For an outstanding project in geography or social science.
Mechanical Contractors Association Hamilton Niagara Award
One award of $250 for the best engineering project at the intermediate or senior level.
Mohawk College Building & Construction Sciences Awards
Three awards of $50 each.
Civil Engineering Award
For a project related to the field of Civil Engineering.
Transportation Award
For a project related to planning, design, or operation of any transportation mode or facility.
Building Sciences Award
For a project related to building sciences, building materials, or energy conservation in structures.
Mohawk College Electrical Engineering Technology Awards
Three awards of $50 each.
Computer Engineering Technology Award
For a deserving project in computer engineering technology.
Electrical Engineering Award
For a deserving project in electrical engineering studies.
Energy Systems Award
For a deserving project in energy systems.
Mohawk College Mathematics Awards
Two awards of $50 each for deserving projects in mathematics or statistics, one junior award and one senior award.
Mohawk College Computer Science & Information Technology Excellence Awards
Three awards of $50 for projects demonstrating a thorough understanding of computer application and design in today’s world.
Nelson Steel Awards
Two awards of $200 for outstanding junior projects related to two of the following fields: Steel, Environmental or Chemistry.
New Health Scientist Award
$50 for a worthy project at the Junior level showing good potential for improving the health of our community.
Nikola Tesla Innovation Awards
Gold ($150), Silver ($100) and Bronze ($50) awards for projects which best display the most innovative application of the body of knowledge associated with Nikola Tesla’s work, and/or acknowledgement in the display of Nikola Tesla’s contribution by way of his work and inventions.
Procor Engineering Awards
Three awards: $150 (Senior), $100 (Intermediate) and $50 (Junior) for excellent engineering projects.
Professional Engineers Ontario – Oakville Chapter Awards
Three awards of $200 for deserving engineering projects, one at each level.
The Research Institute of St. Joe’s Hamilton, Health Research Awards
Two awards of $100 for intermediate and two awards of $50 for junior. To be awarded to outstanding projects that use strong scientific principles in exploring or solving a problem related to human health issues and communicate the results of their project through an effective visual display.
Rotary Club of Hamilton Stoney Creek Awards
Three awards: $250 (First), $150 (Second) and $100 (Third) to the best projects that display high academic achievement and strive to excel in science and technology by students in the Hamilton core, Stoney Creek or by Indigenous students.
Royal Botanical Gardens Award
For an outstanding project in plant or environmental sciences. Prize is a one year RBG family membership.
Dr. Nicola Simmons Award in Cognition Studies
An award of $100 for an exemplary project in cognition studies (animals or humans).
Society of Tribologists & Lubrication Engineers – Hamilton Section Awards
Two awards of $250 for projects that utilize the principles of tribology (friction, wear and lubrication) to solve a technical problem.
Talkit.ca Computer Engineering Awards
Two awards, $100 (First) and $50 (Second) for outstanding projects using computer electronics or software.
The Imagination to Enterprise Awards
Two awards: First ($1,250) and Second ($750) for projects that best combine creativity with real-world marketability. These awards honour innovative ideas that demonstrate both imaginative problem-solving and practical potential for real-world application, showcasing how scientific ingenuity can translate into impactful, market-ready solutions.
University of Ottawa Admission Scholarship
One award of a $1,000 admission scholarship toward tuition fees upon being accepted into and registered in an undergraduate program in the Faculties of Engineering, Science or Health Sciences for a deserving senior project. In the case of a pair project, each student will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Venture Academy at McMaster University Awards
2 scholarships to Venture Academy for one week of free summer camp awarded to intermediate or senior students. Each student in a pair project will receive a scholarship.
Water Environment Association of Ontario Award
An award of $100 for a project focused on innovative ideas for preserving and/or enhancing Ontario’s water environment.
BASEF Inspiration Student Awards
These awards have been created to generate interest and encourage participation in the Fair. $500 to 10 projects that win $250 or less in other cash prizes, and have not previously won a BASEF 500 Award or a BASEF Inspiration Award.
BASEF Inspiration Teacher Awards
$500 awarded to up to 9 NEW* teachers at BASEF. The teacher must have 2 or more projects displayed and judged at BASEF. The award is to be used in the classroom at the winning teacher’s discretion. *The winning teacher must not have participated at BASEF in the prior 5 fairs.
