First presented in 2005, the biennial award recognises the work of one academic researcher for their contribution to research in the field of sports for persons with an impairment.

The award was also set up to promote and encourage more study and "enhance the quality of work" in the field.

“The biennial Paralympic Scientific Award allows the Paralympic community to honour someone for their exceptional performance and contributions to the Paralympic Movement," said Peter Van de Vliet, IPC medical and scientific director.

“Each edition, the quality of nominations improves massively and I am sure that this year’s winner will once again raise the bar in terms of research.”

In 2015, the award was presented to Jennifer Mactavish in recognition of her role in the re-inclusion of athletes with an intellectual impairment into the Paralympic programme.

The Canadian, who is the dean of the Yeates School of Graduate Studies at Ryerson University, served as the leading member of the joint IPC and International Sports Federation for Persons with an Intellectual Disability (INAS) taskforce that provided the framework for the “Eligibility Classification Research” project.

The project eventually led to 120 intellectually impaired athletes competing at London 2012 after a 12 year absence in athletics, swimming and table tennis.

Mactavish has also contributed to the scientific work in family life and stress coping mechanisms of individuals with an impairment.

IPC members, governing board members, sport technical committees, standing committees and councils can now all submit nominations ahead of the deadline which is February 24. 

The award will be presented at VISTA 2017 which will take place between September 20 and 23.

It is organised through a partnership between the IPC, the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario (CSIO) and this year’s theme is Opportunities, Challenges in Paralympic Sport Science & Sport Medicine Support.

The event will take place at the Chelsea Hotel and the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario.

Around 300 of the world’s leading sports scientists, sport medicine practitioners, classifiers, coaches, athletes and sport administrators are expected to attend.

Following the Opening Ceremony, the three-day conference will feature keynote speakers, invited symposia and free communications.

The event is aimed at promoting and advancing the mission, goals, objectives and reputation of the IPC, while providing a platform for the academic world to meet with athletes and professional experts to discuss the latest information, research and expertise related to the Paralympic Movement.