David Thom Leadership Award

The David Thom Leadership Award was established in fall 2023 to honour interns or young architects who demonstrate leadership and have made significant contributions to the profession at an early stage in their architectural careers, reflecting the qualities exemplified by David Thom throughout his career.
This award is funded by a gift from IBI Group Management Partnership and is dedicated to the memory of David Thom, President of IBI Group. David Thom’s contributions to city-shaping and architectural design were far-reaching, as was his boundless passion for supporting and developing the next generation of talent in the architectural profession.

The David Thom Leadership Award will be presented to an individual who has demonstrated leadership and is making a significant contribution to the profession early in their architectural career.

Interns, intern architects and architects who are registered with a provincial/territorial association at the time of submission, and who have graduated no more than five years prior to the submission deadline, are eligible to receive the award.

One award of $5000 will be made each year. The award will be presented to the winner at the annual RAIC Conference on Architecture. The costs of travel and one night’s hotel accommodation will be provided from the fund to enable the winner to attend.

Leadership can be demonstrated in many different ways: through excellence in design; community engagement through volunteer work; participation in architecture-related committees at the local, regional or national level; mentorship in the workplace; creative or academic work that advances the understanding and appreciation of architecture, as well as other activities.

In its strategic plan, the RAIC has identified the following priorities, intended to maximize the positive impact of architecture on Canadian communities:

• Climate action: Counteracting climate change and mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis on people and communities;
• Reconciliation: Building, rebuilding and strengthening our relationship with Indigenous peoples;
• Social Justice: Creating a just culture that strives for social and spatial equity, embraces and respects inclusivity, fosters diversity, and is accessible to all;
• Innovation: Using creativity and design excellence to create thoughtful change in the architectural profession and the built environment.

The jury will give priority to submissions that demonstrate leadership in one or more of these areas.

Each submission must contain the following:

1. Application Form;
2. An illustrated description (3 pages max.) of past and current activities or work that explains why the applicant should be considered for this award;
3. A brief biography (2 pages max.) of the applicant;
4. Three letters of reference from individuals (one of which at least must be from a member of the RAIC) familiar with the applicant’s work or service, setting out specific reasons for their support.

Applications are to be submitted through the RAIC online submission platform.

Entries can be submitted either in English or in French.

All entries will be retained by the RAIC Foundation for publication, exhibition and archival purposes.

Note: Once you have started the online submission process, you may ‘save’ and come back at a later date to complete your submission (prior to the submission deadline).

Any questions?
awards-prix@raic.org

Submissions must be received before 10:00 p.m. ET, on March 8, 2026. Entrants are solely responsible for timely submissions. This date and time are firm without exceptions.