The Bank of Canada Museum’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Economics

We want to celebrate great teaching about the economy. Learn more about the award, who is eligible and how to submit a nomination.

About the award

The Bank of Canada Museum’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Economics recognizes outstanding economics educators. We want to inspire teachers to bring economic concepts into the classroom in new and creative ways.

In addition to the award, the winning teachers will each receive:

• a personal cash prize of $1,000
• a cash prize of $1,000 for their school
• a gift basket of resources and supplies for their class

Eligibility criteria

To be considered for the award, nominees must:

• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident teaching in Canada
• be a certified teacher working full- or part-time at a Canadian school in the 2025 to 2026 school year
• have taught (or be teaching) students in grades 6 to 12 (or Grade 6 to Secondary 5 in Quebec)
• have taught an economic concept to one of the grade levels listed above, in either the current or previous school year

Economic concepts

From social studies to geography, math to history, economic concepts are found across the curriculum. They may be taught as specific concepts or incorporated into a project, activity, unit or lesson plan.

Some example concepts include:

• regional, national or international economies
• early trade in Canada
• supply and demand
• inflation
• economic history
• wealth and inequality
• the role of money and currency
• climate change and the role of the green economy

Selection process

The selection committee will convene and select two winners.

• One award will be given to a teacher from grades 6 to 9 (Grade 6 to Secondary 3 in Quebec), and one to a teacher from grades 10 to 12 (Secondary 4 to 5 in Quebec).
• The committee will consist of a panel including Bank of Canada staff and other experts in the field.
• The decision of the committee is final and cannot be appealed.

We will notify the winners in late May 2026, along with a public announcement.

Submit a nomination

You can nominate any teacher you can vouch for personally—whether you are a colleague, administrator, parent, or past or present student. You can also nominate yourself.

Your nomination must outline a specific project, activity or lesson plan that explored an economic concept. You must also provide evidence of the following award criteria:

• innovation or creativity in teaching using instructional strategies and resources used
• the impact on the students’ understanding of the economy and economic literacy
• the connection between the lesson or activity and broader economic concepts in personal, local, regional, national or international contexts