Luke Santi Memorial Award

In honour of Luke’s many accomplishments and contributions, the award is presented annually to a Canadian student who demonstrates Luke’s many qualities — academic performance, interest in science, extracurricular activities, and volunteering — and is graduating high school to begin post-secondary education in physical sciences at a Canadian university.

Award Details

The award includes $1000 and the opportunity to visit Perimeter Institute for a tour, lunch with researchers and staff, and seminars or other scheduled events. One award will be made each year to a graduating Canadian high school student who has been accepted into a full-time academic program in physical sciences at a Canadian university in the fall. The successful student is expected to direct the award towards tuition for studies in physics.

Selection Criteria

The student is selected based on a combination of academic merit and non-academic criteria including:

• Academic success in the last year of secondary studies - a minimum 80% average overall is required as shown in copies of official high school transcripts.
• Demonstrated passion for physics outside of the normal academic environment (e.g. being a member of a local amateur astronomy club, volunteering with a physics association)
• Demonstrated interest in a wide range of activities outside of physics (e.g. community involvement, sports, debating clubs, etc., including volunteer activities in service of others)
• Minimum of two letters of recommendation by a teacher, principal, professor, or association leader (not a relative). The letters of reference will assist the selection committee in establishing the applicant’s participation and achievement in the life and activities of their school and/or community; participation in a physics stream of study; nature of the participant’s character, personal qualities and temperament, etc.

Application and notification details

Applications are accepted each year until May 31.

The online application for 2026 will be available on March 1, 2026.

• One award for $1000 CAN will be given annually.
• A T4A form will be issued for taxation purposes.
• The successful candidate will be notified in Fall 2026.
• Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified.