By: Liz Do
19 May, 2026
CIFAR earns national and global recognition for impact storytelling
May 19, 2026
3 awards celebrate publications that bring CIFAR’s research community and organizational Strategy to life
At a time when bold research must be communicated with clarity, relevance and reach, CIFAR’s publications are helping make complex ideas more accessible and compelling. This spring, they received 3 awards, pointing to a more cohesive communications approach – one that deepens engagement, strengthens connection and brings CIFAR’s work closer to the audiences it serves.
CIFAR’s Impact Report was recognized internationally with an IABC Gold Quill Award of Merit in the Best Publication category, placing CIFAR’s storytelling among leading communications work from around the world. This international recognition reflects the growing strength of CIFAR’s brand presence and the organization’s ability to communicate complex research to broader audiences with clarity, creativity and purpose.
The report was also recognized with an International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)/Toronto Award of Merit. Guided by the organization’s new Brand Strategy, the report was reimagined to highlight the impact, partnerships and ideas advancing CIFAR’s mission. This included original photography, bolder visual storytelling and a dedicated microsite.
In addition, CIFAR received national recognition from the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS), winning an ACE Award in the Best Publication category for its internal digital newsletter, The 5th Floor.
Relaunched with a refreshed visual identity and a stronger focus on people, culture and connection, The 5th Floor has become a key channel for building community across the organization, with a 100% open rate. As CIFAR continues to advance an ambitious organizational Strategy, the newsletter supports stronger internal alignment by helping staff understand, celebrate and connect their work to the organization’s broader mission.
“These awards reflect an important shift in how we tell the CIFAR story,” said Hannah Yakobi, Vice-President, Communications at CIFAR. “In the past year, our team has focused on creating communications that are more human-centred, visually compelling and clearly connected to CIFAR’s impact. This work brings our Brand Strategy to life by elevating the people, ideas and partnerships that define CIFAR’s global research community.”
“CIFAR advances bold research that has the potential to transform futures. Communicating that work with clarity and purpose is essential to building understanding, trust and engagement with the audiences we serve,” said Stephen J. Toope, President and CEO of CIFAR. “These awards recognize the strength of CIFAR’s renewed approach to storytelling and its role in advancing our organizational Strategy.”
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