Federal Government Announces $250,000 Research Prize 
In honour of Canadian Nobel Prize winner Bertram Brockhouse
Hamilton, Ontario, February 27, 2004 – Beth Phinney,
Member of Parliament for Hamilton Mountain, on behalf of the Honourable
Lucienne Robillard, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible
for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec,
today announced a $250,000 science and engineering research prize in
honour of the late Bertram Brockhouse, winner of the 1994 Nobel Prize
in Physics.
“The new prize – the Brockhouse Canada Prize for
Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering –
offers permanent recognition for Dr. Brockhouse’s outstanding
contribution to science and to Canada,” said Ms. Phinney. “The
award signals the great importance of success in science and technology
to the future prosperity of Canadians. We compete with the best in the
world through our ability to generate new ideas and our ability to bring
them to the marketplace.”
Working at Chalk River about 40 years ago, Dr. Brockhouse
invented the use of neutron scattering to study the internal structure
of materials, and gave Canada many years of leadership in that field.
Neutron scattering is now an essential technique used around the world
both in science and industry.
Among the dignitaries who attended the announcement were Mrs. Doris Brockhouse,
Dr. Brockhouse’s widow, Peter George, President and
Vice-Chancellor of McMaster University, where Professor Brockhouse
taught and conducted research for 22 years, and Tom Brzustowski,
President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC),
the prize sponsor.
“My husband was a strong believer in the importance of collaboration
in research,” said Mrs. Brockhouse. “When NSERC proposed
the award to him last summer, he was honoured to lend his name to it
and enthusiastic in approving the form it took. It keeps his ideals,
contributions and memory very much alive.”
“This is a very special announcement for the Canadian science
and engineering community,” said Dr. Brzustowski. “It
carries an important message about the changing nature of research.
The prize recognizes and rewards an outstanding achievement by a team
of researchers working from several disciplines. It recognizes the fact
that more and more important research requires the resources of several
disciplines.”
“The very nature and design of this award represents how Bert
both lived his life and did his work – looking at every issue
from every possible angle. Through his work, Bert Brockhouse inspired
countless generations of scientists. Through his Nobel, he reminded
Canada that we have a tradition of excellence in research and a place
of prominence in the international research community. Through this
new prize, his legacy of innovation will live on,” said Dr. Peter
George.
The award was conceived as a 25th anniversary project
of NSERC. The inaugural competition for the Brockhouse Prize will be
held early in 2004. Nomination kits will be available from NSERC
and full details will also be available on the Web at http://www.nserc.gc.ca/about/award_e.htm.
NSERC, now also known as Science and Engineering Research Canada, is
a key federal agency investing in people, discovery, and innovation.
It supports both basic university research through research grants,
and project research through partnerships among postsecondary institutions,
government and the private sector, as well as the advanced training
of highly qualified people.
For more information, contact:
Arnet Sheppard
NSERC (in Hamilton today)
Tel.: (613) 297-1036
Francis Lionnet
NSERC (in Ottawa)
Tel.: (613) 992-9001
Visit http://www.nserc.gc.ca/news/2004/p040227_b_1.htm
for a backgrounder on Dr. Brockhouse’s life and achievements.
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