The Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies (CASIS) announces the 5th annual competition for the CASIS Essay Prize, supported by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Prizes will be awarded for the best undergraduate and graduate papers on a subject dealing with intelligence or on a matter related to Canada’s broad national security interests.
The Award
One graduate and one undergraduate paper will be awarded. The graduate prize is $2500, while the undergraduate prize is $1000. Both winners will be invited to deliver their papers at a CASIS event in 2026, and both papers will be published on-line through the CASIS website.
Eligibility Criteria
The competition is open to undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at a Canadian university or college, or any Canadian student enrolled at a university or college outside of Canada. Papers submitted as part of a course requirement and papers specifically designed for this contest are welcome. Submissions can be in English or French. Only one paper per candidate will be accepted for the competition.
Topics
Essays must address some dimension of intelligence, security, or law enforcement issues in any time period and in any country. Submissions can be from any Humanities or Social Sciences discipline, inter-disciplinary programmes, or law school. Essays touching on the following topics are encouraged, but will not receive preferential grading:
- Emerging and/or priority domestic terrorism threats in Canada over the next five years
- Polar research and national security
- Energy security: opportunities and threats
- Biotechnology, health sciences, and national security
Submission
Undergraduate essays cannot exceed 30 pages including footnotes. Graduate papers cannot exceed 40 pages including notes. Submissions should be sent by email with a clear subject heading reading “CASIS-CSIS Prize”, graduate or undergraduate level, and the author’s last name: i.e. CASIS-CSIS Prize – undergraduate – Doe, Jane.
Submissions must be in Microsoft Word, 12-point font, double spaced, and must include a full title page with the author's name, institution, academic programme, and contact information. Proof of registration at a University in Canada or abroad (transcript or certification) is required, and proof of citizenship may be required for students studying outside of Canada. Send an electronic copy of the paper to:
Dr. Arne Kislenko
Department of History
Toronto Metropolitan University
350 Victoria Street
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5B 2K3
(416) 979-5000 ext. 556206
akislenk@torontomu.ca
The deadline for submissions is Monday, June 1, 2026.
Adjudication
All submissions will be adjudicated by a panel comprised of academics and representatives of the CSIS Academic Outreach & Stakeholder Engagement (AOSE) program. The review process will commence in June 2026, with results announced via email in August.
About CASIS
CASIS is a non-partisan, voluntary association established in 1985. Its principal purpose is to provide informed debate in Canada on security and intelligence issues. Membership is open and includes academics, concerned citizens, government officials, journalists, lawyers, students, as well as former intelligence officers.
About CSIS AOSE
The Academic Outreach & Stakeholder Engagement program is an important bridge linking CSIS to Canadians. The program engages with stakeholders and thought leaders on national security issues from across Canada and around the world to ensure that CSIS’ work is informed by a broad and diverse spectrum of voices and perspectives.
