Four trophies of various sizes

Awards

Students participating in the CREATE Conference have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes! 

Most awards are worth between $100 and $500 each, and three entries will receive the "VIU Blue Ribbon Award," which includes a $100 bonus. 

In general, if a category receives:

  • more than 10 entries will be allocated a $500 cash award
  • less than 10 entries will be allocated a $250 cash award

All awards are eligible to also receive the Blue Ribbon designation.

There will often be year-specific awards because every year there are a couple of projects that inspire us to no ends. We challenge you to be that inspiration.

Sustainable Development Goals Awards

In 2022, VIU signed the Sustainable Development Accord. The SDG Accord is the university and college sectors’ collective response to the SDGs. It is intended to inspire, celebrate and advance the critical role that education has in delivering the SDGs and to provide opportunities for learning. Click for more information on the 17 SDGs.  Click for logo use and print files.

CREATE will give out two (2) $250 awards to students who intentionally speak to how their project intersects with specific SDGs. 

Event-Based Awards

Meritorious awards will be presented for CREATE's various events.

2024 will host 10 different events: Research Posters, Infographic Posters, 10-minute presentations, 10-minute performances, 3-minute SLAM, Photography, Rants, SHORTS Film Fest, Podcasts, Art and Design Work  

People's Choice Awards - $100 each

  • One per day for the face-to-face poster sessions
  • One for the photography exhibit
  • One for the SLAM
  • One for the Rant
  • One for the Short Film 
  • One for Design Works

Three Minute Thesis

The 3MT is an event just for graduate students and has the following prizes:

First prize: $500, VIU swag, trip to regionals

Second prize: $200, VIU swag

People's Choice: $100, VIU swag

Thanks to the Deans of Management, Social Science, and Education for partnering with CREATE to make the 3MT Awards possible!

Social Sciences Award

Many thanks to the Community Donors who make this award possible!

Climate Action and Sustainability Book Prize

Awarded to the project that best incorporates community engagement, dialogue and education in its efforts to create a more sustainable world.

Indigenous Research Book Prize

Presented to a project in recognition of meaningful implementation of Indigenous Research Method(s).

CREATE Positive Space Award

The Positive Space Alliance promotes the creation of learning, working and social environments defined by equality, are free from discrimination, and are justice-promoting. This award is to recognize work that builds, supports, affirms, and advocates for communities of two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, non-binary, asexual, and intersex folks on VIU campuses. 

This award is administered to a project in CREATE that is aligned with the PSA’s purpose. The PSA thanks generous donor support that makes this award possible. 

Anti-racism Award

Three (3) $100 awards are available to projects that best exemplify the scholarship and research of race relations.    

All for One and One for All Award

For the group project that best displays strong group communication skills and camaraderie.

VIU SRCA Award

Presented to the project whose scholarship, research, and/or creativity is based on or inspired by a VIU question or project.

Pay it Forward Award - one $500 award

Thanks so much to the community sponsorship that makes this award possible 

For the best submissions that partnered with not-for-profit, community organizations or other similar entities. Recipients will receive their $250 award and they will be able to donate $250 towards their community organization they worked with. Preference will be given to a project that focusses on wildlife and the preservation of natural habitat.

Michael L. Warsh Law Corporation Award - one $750 award for 2024 

This award recognizes outstanding student research. For senior undergraduate students in their last year intending to pursue post-graduate studies.

Our great appreciation to Warsh Law  for supporting these annual awards.