Announcing the 2026 CIHR-ICR & ARCC Research Award Winners

The Canadian Centre for Applied Research in Cancer Control (ARCC), in partnership with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Cancer Research (CIHR-ICR), is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 CIHR-ICR and ARCC Research Awards.

These awards recognize excellence and leadership in cancer health services and policy research while supporting the development of research capacity across Canada. The annual awards program reflects the shared commitment of ARCC and CIHR-ICR to strengthening applied cancer research that informs policy, practice, and cancer system improvement. For more information on our awards program please visit click here.

2026 Early Career Researcher Award

Recipient: Perri Tutelman, PhD, RPsych
Institution: Department of Psychology, University of Calgary

ARCC and CIHR-ICR are pleased to recognize Dr. Perri Tutelman as the recipient of the 2026 Early Career Researcher Award for her leadership and contributions to adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology and patient-oriented cancer research.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the 2026 ARCC and CIHR-ICR Early Career Researcher Award. I am proud to contribute to a growing movement in cancer research that centers the voices and priorities of people with lived experience and aims to create more equitable and supportive systems of care for people living with and beyond cancer in Canada.”-Dr. P. Tutelman

An ARCC member since 2018, Dr. Tutelman has established a research program focused on improving psychosocial care and health system supports for children and young adults living with and beyond cancer. Her work integrates patient engagement, digital health innovation, implementation science, and health systems research to advance more accessible and patient-centered cancer care.

Since beginning her independent faculty position in 2024, Dr. Tutelman has demonstrated exceptional research productivity, leadership, and commitment to research capacity-building through interdisciplinary collaboration, trainee mentorship, and strong partnerships with patients, community organizations, and health system leaders.

ARCC and CIHR-ICR congratulate Dr. Tutelman on this well-deserved recognition.

2026 Research Impact Award

Recipient: Sylvie Lambert, PhD, RN
Position/Institution: Ingram School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University and St. Mary’s Research Centre.

ARCC and CIHR-ICR are pleased to recognize Dr. Sylvie Lambert as the recipient of the 2026 Research Impact Award for her internationally recognized contributions to cancer supportive care, caregiver research, self-management interventions, and implementation science.

An ARCC network member since 2013, Dr. Lambert has developed a highly impactful research program focused on improving outcomes for people living with cancer and their caregivers as care increasingly shifts to ambulatory and home settings. Her work has advanced innovative psychosocial and digital self-management interventions, including the Coping-Together and TEMPO programs, while also leading large-scale implementation initiatives integrating patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) into oncology care across Quebec.

ARCC and CIHR-ICR congratulate Dr. Lambert on this well-deserved recognition and thank her for her longstanding contributions to the ARCC community and the broader cancer research field.

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Applications were evaluated through an independent review process involving expert reviewers, followed by discussion among ARCC leadership and CIHR-ICR representatives.

ARCC and CIHR-ICR congratulate this year’s recipients and thank all applicants for contributing to a highly competitive and impressive inaugural competition.

Information regarding the 2027 competition will be shared later in 2026.