Criteria

Description

This award recognizes outstanding HR professionals who exemplify leadership, innovation, and dedication to the field. Aligned with CPHR Alberta's strategic priorities and core competencies, recipients inspire others through mentorship, collaboration, and impactful leadership.

They are a champion of innovation, embracing emerging trends, technologies, and creative approaches that advance organizational success. Their commitment to growth, resilience, and continuous learning makes them a passionate advocate and role model within the HR community.

All nominees who meet the criteria, as evaluated by our awards selection committee, will be honoured as 2026 HR Excellence Recipients and receive an individual spotlight at the 2026 Member Recognition Gala.

Requirements

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a CPHR Alberta Member.
• Must have held a CPHR Alberta membership (of any type) for a minimum of two years prior to award nomination (i.e. October 2023).
• The nominee has made a significant impact in rubric areas/nomination guidelines since January 2025
  (awards are given for the 2025 calendar year only).

Nomination Requirements:

• Nominator (if applicable) and Nominee information.
• Answer all following questions about the nominee. This includes written answers explaining why the nominee deserves the award. 
  • What level of experience is the nominee?
  • Please describe the nominee's influence and impact on their organization's HR projects/initiatives and/or the overall HR department. 
  • Please describe how the nominee approaches their position with care, humility, and integrity. 
  • Please describe how the nominee provides guidance and support to other colleagues. 
  • Please describe how the nominee has employed new and innovative techniques, approaches, and/or technologies.
    How were these received by others (i.e. were there any challenges, how were they handled)?
  • How does the nominee demonstrate continued growth and development?
    Do they introduce newly acquired knowledge into the workplace?
  • How does the nominee apply their education and experience to their position?
  • How has the nominee advocated for the HR profession and/or shown good judgement in seeking support from others?
    Please highlight any volunteer efforts and/or community contributions the nominee has made. 
  • Why does the nominee deserve this award?

Criteria

Description

This award celebrates HR teams that demonstrate exceptional collaboration, strategic planning, and execution in advancing HR practices. Recognized teams have successfully delivered initiatives aligned with CPHR Alberta's competency framework and a clearly defined organizational need.

With clear goals, processes, and measurable outcomes, these teams ensure smooth, timely, and budget-conscious implementation. Their approach includes robust training, communication, and stakeholder support, leading to seamless integration into organizational practices.

Their efforts result in measurable, positive impacts for employees, stakeholders, and the broader community. Through resilience, adaptability, and shared leadership, they exemplify the power of teamwork in driving meaningful change.

All teams who meet the criteria, as evaluated by our awards selection committee, will be honoured as 2026 HR Excellence Team Recipients and celebrated with a dedicated spotlight at the 2026 Member Recognition Gala.

Requirements

Eligibility Criteria:

• At least one member on the team holds the CPHR Alberta designation.
• Initiative/project was carried out or took place mainly in Alberta.
  • National projects may qualify if the leading team is located in Alberta.
• Initiative/project has been implemented within the last three years (January 2022) and has a specific impact that can be measured.
• Falls within at least one of the following areas:
  • Organizational Relationships and Wellness
  • Integrated Talent Management
  • Strategic Development of Organizations
  • Working with the Organization
  • Working with Others

Criteria

Description

As passionate advocates for the HR profession, the HR Champion actively integrates HR into strategic decision-making and planning, reinforcing the importance of the profession across all levels of the organization. Their unique personality, compelling story, and measurable impact distinguish them as true leaders and role models within their organization.

With a people-first approach, recipients are mentors within their organizations - guiding and empowering others to achieve their goals and fostering strong, collaborative team dynamics. They lead by example, ensuring teams and individuals are supported with the resources and encouragement needed to thrive. Their forward-thinking approach embraces emerging HR trends and technologies, driving transformative change and organizational success.

Educators play a vital role in this space—mentoring future HR professionals, shaping organizational culture through learning, and driving forward-thinking approaches that embrace emerging HR trends and technologies.

In recognition of their strong commitment to advancing the HR profession through advocacy, all individuals who meet the criteria, as evaluated by our awards selection committee, will be honoured as 2026 HR Champion Recipients and celebrated with a dedicated spotlight at the 2026 Member Recognition Gala.

Requirements

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Is not a member of CPHR Alberta but employed by an Alberta company (can be an HR Faculty member and/or executive outside of HR).
• Follows HR trends (involved and committed to the HR profession).
• Follows the CPHR Alberta Vision and Mission and the Code of Ethics. 
• Provides support to those (employees/colleagues, students, alumni, etc. in HR) that are designated but are not themselves designated.

Nomination Criteria: 

• Nominator and Nominee information
• Answer all following questions about the nominee. This includes written answers explaining why the nominee deserves the award. 
  • What level of experience is the nominee?
  • Please describe how the nominee has supported the HR team and/or an HR individual. Were they an integral part of an HR initiative? How? How did they utilize the HR team/department for organizational success?
  • Describe how the nominee supports members and the organization in their goals.
    What are the measurable results and how do they tie into HR?
    Please describe how the nominee approaches their position with care, humility, and integrity. 
  • Please describe how the nominee has employed new and innovative techniques, approaches, and/or technologies.
    How were these received by others (i.e. were there any challenges, how were they handled)?
  • How does the nominee demonstrate continued growth and development?
    Do they introduce newly acquired knowledge into the workplace?
  • Please describe the nominee's commitment to championing HR within their organization.
    Did they increase the credibility of HR within the organization?
    Is HR considered in decision making or strategic planning?
  • Please describe how the nominee follows the CPHR Alberta Competency Framework and the Code of Ethics,
    even if they may not be fully aware themselves. 
  • Why does the nominee deserve this award?

Criteria

Description

CPHR Alberta created the Eldon Emerson Scholarship in 2021 to recognize Eldon's exceptional leadership in our community and continued drive to share his passion for the human resources profession. In 2013 Eldon received the Fellowship award, a prestigious honorary award that recognizes Chartered Professionals in Human Resources who have made exemplary contributions to the profession.

Eldon's proven ability of HR leadership and community involvement are evident through his roles as the Chair of the founding Committee of the Human Resources Institute of Alberta (HRIA) (now known as CPHR Alberta) in developing the key principles, operating terms, and getting independent groups to join under the organization. Eldon was elected as the first president when HRIA came into force. Eldon has extensive HR experience in the public, private, and non-profit sectors and depicts ongoing involvement in the broader HR community.

The recipient of this scholarship shows pride in academic merit, community engagement, excellence in the Human Resources discipline and demonstrates an interest in pursuing the CPHR designation.

Scholarship Information:

1. Scholarship Value (CAD): $2,500
2. Award Funding: Annual
3. Number of Annual Awards: One
4. Applications Open: September 8, 2025
5. Applications Close: December 1, 2025
6. Disbursement of Award: January 2026

An annual $2,500 scholarship is awarded to an international or domestic student enrolled at any Alberta post-secondary institution in at least the second year of their degree program with a major* in Human Resources. The recipient must be a full-time student (two or more courses per semester) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6 based on the last year of studies on a 4.0 scale. The individual must be a current Student Member of CPHR Alberta in good standing, demonstrate leadership and/or community involvement and show an interest in, and passion for the Human Resource profession.

*Synonymous to focus, concentration, and emphasis.

Requirements

*If not all documents are submitted, the application is incomplete and will not be considered.

1. Applicants must be in at least the second year of their degree program.
2. Applicants must be a CPHR Alberta Student Member.
3. Official statement of marks showing academic standing of 3.6 GPA or higher based on the last two years of cumulative studies.
   1. Please upload a working transcript, unofficial transcript, etc.
4. A personal statement letter and must include:
   1. Educational journey and goals.
   2. Career goals and how the applicant's education will assist them in achieving their goals.
   3. Demonstrate passion and commitment to the Human Resources profession and to the program of study.
   4. Community involvement and extra-curricular activities.
   5. The letter should highlight the applicant's strengths that make them the ideal candidate for the award.
5. Proof of full-time status
   1. Please upload a timetable showing your full name and post-secondary institution.
6. A current resume that highlights:
   1. Academic,
   2. Career,
   3. Community involvement and extra-curricular activities, and/or
   4. Personal achievements
7. A nomination letter to support the applicant who has demonstrated involvement in volunteer activities
   1. The supporting letter confirms community and/or association involvement and may include duties and responsibilities of the volunteer role.
8. An answer to the article question (no more than 1300 words)
   1. The purpose of this is to show the applicant's creative, strategic, and critical thinking skills.
   2. The recipient of the Award will have their article published in the CPHR Alberta magazine and the runner-up receives the opportunity to have their article posted on the CPHR Alberta blog.

Article Question: Considering the growing influence of artificial intelligence, how do you see innovation reshaping the Human Resources landscape? As an emerging HR professional, how do you envision contributing to this ongoing transformation?

Scholarship Selection Committee:

The Scholarship Selection Committee will review applications and recommend the applicant who should be awarded the scholarship. The selected recipient will be notified by CPHR Alberta via letter.

Criteria for Scholarship Selection Committee:

Three or five CPHR Alberta members who have no direct connection to Alberta post-secondary institutions and who take pride in their CPHR designation and building our HR community. Committee members need to be anonymous and have not taken nor will take any involvement in CPHR Alberta student-related events until a recommendation on the scholarship recipient has been made and accepted by CPHR Alberta.

The same SSC members will be utilized for the Eldon Emerson Scholarship and Diploma Scholarship.

Application Tips

The use of AI in your Scholarship Application is prohibited. If it is suspected that you used AI to help you with your application, your submission will be considered incomplete and will not be considered by the Scholarship Selection Committee. Instead of AI to help with your application, you can use the following:

• Have friends review your application
• Have family review your application
• Have faculty review your application
• Ensure you have all necessary documents before you submit your application
• Review the rubric and ensure your application is aligned
• Highlight your community involvement, academic merit, passion for HR, and the CPHR designation

Criteria

Description

CPHR Alberta launched the Diploma Scholarship in 2023 to support student members majoring (synonymous to focus, concentration, and emphasis) in an HR 2-year diploma program. The recipient of this scholarship shows pride in academic merit, community engagement, excellence in the Human Resources discipline and demonstrates an interest to pursue the CPHR designation.

Scholarship Information:

1. Scholarship Value (CAD): $1,500
2. Award Funding: Annual
3. Number of Annual Awards: One
4. Applications Open: September 8, 2025
5. Award Deadline: December 1, 2025
6. Disbursement of Award: January 2026

An annual $1,500 scholarship is awarded to an international or domestic student enrolled at any Alberta post-secondary institution 2-year diploma program with a major* in Human Resources. The recipient must be a full-time student (two or more courses per semester) with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. The individual must be a current Student Member of CPHR Alberta in good standing, demonstrate leadership and/or community involvement and show an interest in, and passion for the Human Resource profession.

Requirements

*If not all documents are submitted, the application is incomplete and will not be considered.

1. Applicants must be a CPHR Alberta Student Member.
2. Official statement of marks showing academic standing of 3.5 GPA or higher based on cumulative studies.
   1. Please upload a working transcript, unofficial transcript, etc.
3. A personal statement letter and must include:
   1. Educational journey and goals.
   2. Career goals and how the applicant's education will assist them in achieving their goals.
   3. Demonstrate passion and commitment to the Human Resources profession and to the program of study.
   4. Community involvement and extra-curricular activities.
   5. Demonstrate the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC)/financial need – the lower the EFC, the higher need. This is followed by an explanation of financial struggles and how the award will assist the student.
   6. The letter should highlight the applicant's strengths that make them the ideal candidate for the award.
4. Proof of full-time status
   1. Please upload a timetable showing your full name and post-secondary institution.
5. A current resume that highlights:
   1. Academic,
   2. Career,
   3. Community involvement and extra-curricular activities, and/or
   4. Personal achievements
6. A nomination letter to support the applicant who has demonstrated involvement in volunteer activities
   1. The supporting letter confirms community and/or association involvement and may include duties and responsibilities of the volunteer role.
7. An answer to the article question (no more than 1300 words)
   1. The purpose of this is to show the applicant's creative, strategic, and critical thinking skills.
   2. The recipient of the Award will have their article published in the CPHR Alberta magazine and the runner-up receives the opportunity to have their article posted on the CPHR Alberta blog.

Article Question: Considering the growing influence of artificial intelligence, how do you see innovation reshaping the Human Resources landscape? As an emerging HR professional, how do you envision contributing to this ongoing transformation?

Scholarship Selection Committee:

The Scholarship Selection Committee will review applications and recommend the applicant who should be awarded the scholarship. The selected recipient will be notified by CPHR Alberta via letter.

Criteria for Scholarship Selection Committee:

Three or five CPHR Alberta members who have no direct connection to Alberta post-secondary institutions and who take pride in their CPHR designation and building our HR community. Committee members need to be anonymous and have not taken nor will take any involvement in CPHR Alberta student-related events until a recommendation on the scholarship recipient has been made and accepted by CPHR Alberta.

The same SSC members will be utilized for the Eldon Emerson Scholarship and Diploma Scholarship.

Application Tips

The use of AI in your Scholarship Application is prohibited. If it is suspected that you used AI to help you with your application, your submission will be considered incomplete and will not be considered by the Scholarship Selection Committee. Instead of AI to help with your application, you can use the following:

• Have friends review your application
• Have family review your application
• Have faculty review your application
• Ensure you have all necessary documents before you submit your application
• Review the rubric and ensure your application is aligned
• Highlight your community involvement, academic merit, passion for HR, and the CPHR designation

Criteria