ORION is now accepting submissions and nominations from Ontario researchers and educators who are leading the way in leveraging advanced networks to improve their research outcomes or enhance teaching practices to boost student learning.

Thirty-four organizations, projects and individuals have received the ORION Award since ORION launched the awards program in 2005. Last year, institutions and individuals involved in high performance computing, digital content for academic research, and new web platforms supporting education were among the top winners.

Researchers and educators across Ontario are increasingly using more innovative and collaborative technologies over advanced networks like ORION - for example, HD videoconferencing, high performance computing and digital repositories - to increase research capacity or enhance the teaching and learning experience.

By recognizing and showcasing outstanding achievements, the ORION Awards help inspire new ways of transforming methods of teaching, learning and conducting research. Project teams or individuals can apply themselves, or they can be nominated by others, in any of three categories:

The Discovery Award seeks to recognize research and science initiatives that successfully apply and leverage the unique capabilities of advanced networks and collaborative technologies to achieve significant outcomes in research and discovery.

The Learning Award recognizes the achievements of faculty, students or staff in organizations in the implementation of initiatives that make use of ORION and advanced networks and their enabling capabilities to promote or facilitate collaborative teaching, learning and training.

The Leadership Award, with an emphasis on individual achievement, is open to public and private sector leaders and innovators for their significant contribution to advancing research, education, science, or discovery through the development and/or application of innovative information and communications technologies.

The deadline to submit is February 26, 2011. Awards will be presented in April at the 2011 ORION Summit. Innovators and leaders in Ontario research and education are invited to submit a nomination by visiting www.orion.on.ca/2011awards.