Royal Society of Canada

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC; French: Société royale du Canada, SRC), established in 1882, is Canada’s senior national, bilingual council of distinguished scholars, humanists, scientists, and artists. It is the country’s national academy and serves as a prominent learned society dedicated to promoting learning and research in the arts, humanities, and sciences across Canada.

History

The Royal Society of Canada was founded by the Marquess of Lorne and incorporated by an act of the Canadian Parliament in 1882. From its inception, the RSC was intended to be a "working body, not a purely honorary institution," with a mandate to advance Canada’s intellectual and cultural development both domestically and internationally. Early in its history, it received governmental support to publish and promote Canadian contributions to critical global issues. The RSC also played a foundational role in the development of key national institutions such as the Canadian Museum of Nature, Libraries and Archives Canada, and the National Research Council.

Throughout the 20th century, and especially after its centennial in 1967, the RSC significantly contributed to raising Canada’s profile in scholarly, scientific, and artistic excellence. It formalized partnerships with the research community and expanded its structure to include Institutional Members. In 2014, the RSC established The College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists to recognize the emerging generation of Canadian intellectual leaders.

Mission and Objectives

The primary objective of the Royal Society of Canada is to promote research and scholarly achievement in both official languages of Canada—English and French. It recognizes academic and artistic excellence, mentors emerging talent, and advises governments, non-governmental organizations, and the Canadian public on issues of public interest.

The RSC comprises several academies covering the arts, humanities, and sciences, and it fosters international collaboration through exchanges with other national academies. Its members, elected annually, include Fellows and College Members who represent outstanding achievements in all fields of scholarship and creative arts.

Structure and Activities

The Society is organized into three main academies:

• Academy of Arts
• Academy of Humanities
• Academy of Sciences

Alongside these, the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists promotes interdisciplinary recognition for Canada’s emerging intellectual leaders.

The RSC engages in a broad range of activities including:

• Awarding medals and prizes to recognize excellence in research and innovation.
• Advising on public policy and scholarly matters.
• Promoting a culture of knowledge and innovation within Canada and internationally.
• Publishing proceedings and scholarly works related to Canadian contributions in various disciplines.

Recognition and Awards

The Royal Society of Canada annually or biennially offers around twenty awards, including medals and certificates, many with cash prizes. These awards honor notable achievements across disciplines and serve to highlight Canadian contributions to academia and the arts.

Significance

As Canada's senior national academy, the RSC plays a critical role in shaping scholarly and artistic landscapes in the country. It serves as a bridge between research communities and public institutions, ensuring knowledge and innovation contribute to the public good and Canada’s cultural and intellectual vitality.

Note: The Royal Society of Canada operates as a nonprofit organization with the business registration number 107935991RR0001.