Lane Anderson Award

れーんあんだーそんしょう

An annual award for Canadian science non-fiction works (adult category and young readers category).

Science writingCanadian non-fictionAdult nonfictionYoung readers / Children's science

Established: 2011
Organizer: Fitzhenry Family Foundation
Category: Children's Literature, Fairy Tales, and Picture Books
Selection Method: Selection
Target: Professional
Frequency: 1 per year
Announcement Period: around September
Status: Active

Description

The Lane Anderson Award is an annual award given to Canadian science non-fiction, with two categories: adult and young readers. It is funded by the Fitzhenry Family Foundation and led by Sharon Fitzhenry and Hollister Doll. Winners receive a plaque and $10,000. Judging is based on criteria such as the book's timeliness and the ability to convey scientific themes accessibly to everyday life.

Prize

Main Prize: Plaque and monetary prize (winner receives a plaque and a cash award)
Cash Prize: 10,000 CAD

Plaque
Recognition and media coverage

Selection

Selection Process

Stage	Judges	Pass Rate	Announcement
Nomination / Submission and initial review	Organizing committee and selection committee (appointed)	—	Initial candidates are selected by the organizers.
Final judging and winner selection	Selection committee (appointed by the organizers)	—	Winners are announced on the official website and via press releases (e.g., past announcements have been in September).

Nomination / Submission and initial review

Judges Organizing committee and selection committee (appointed)

Announcement Initial candidates are selected by the organizers.

Final judging and winner selection

Judges Selection committee (appointed by the organizers)

Announcement Winners are announced on the official website and via press releases (e.g., past announcements have been in September).

Criteria

Relevance to current events
Ability to relate scientific issues to everyday life
Quality of science writing and research
Canadian non-fiction focus

Application Tips

Dos

Ensure the accuracy of scientific facts (explicitly indicate sources and notes)
Clearly articulate timeliness and social relevance
Explain technical terms simply and write accessibly for general readers
Craft tone and structure suited to the target audience (adults / young readers)
Strictly adhere to application requirements (submission format, deadline, etc.)

Don''ts

Overuse technical terms without explanation
Undermine scientific credibility by skipping fact-checking, sources, or using exaggerations
Submit works that do not qualify as Canadian non-fiction
Ignore submission format or deadlines

From Judges

Emphasis on the book's timeliness (contemporary issues and topicality) and ability to connect to everyday life
Evaluation of the balance between scientific accuracy and readability