On May 9, the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) announced the recipients of the Governor General’s Innovation Awards (GGIA). These awards recognize and celebrate exceptional Canadian individuals, teams and organizations for their excellence in innovation and their contributions in helping to shape our future and positively impact our quality of life.

This year, the Governor General’s Innovation Awards are celebrating 10 years of recognizing Canada’s most transformative innovators.

Throughout the years, these awards have not only honoured exceptional Canadian innovations, but have also inspired innovators of all ages to drive progress in diverse fields, from science and technology to the arts and social innovation.

Meet the 2025 recipients

Helen Watts, Angela Paley, Shakti Ramkumar, Abdullah Khair, Claris Canta

Student Energy

Dr. Sumantra Monty Ghosh and Lisa Morris-Miller

NORS – National Overdose Response Service

Ms. Nivatha Balendra, CEO & Founder

Dispersa -Decarbonizing surfactants through food waste

Dr. N. Zoe Hilton, Angela Eke, Elke Ham, Kate Lines

ODARA – The Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment

Governor General’s Innovation Awards

These awards recognize and celebrate outstanding Canadian individuals, teams and organizations—trailblazers and creators who contribute to our country’s success, who help shape our future and who inspire the next generation.