Distinguished James McGill Professors, James McGill Professors, and William Dawson Scholars

In 2000, McGill created two internal recognition awards, the William Dawson Scholars and the James McGill Professors, in parallel with the Canada Research Chair (CRC) program. These awards recognize the outstanding research contributions of tenure-track and tenured academic staff members at the University. The James McGill Professor and William Dawson Scholar awards provide for an annual salary supplement in the form of a fixed academic stipend, and an annual research allowance. The combined total of the salary stipend and research allowance may not exceed $25,000.

Then, in 2017, the Distinguished James McGill Professor award was created to recognize the sustained scholarship and achievements of McGill's most accomplished tenured academic staff. The Distinguished James McGill Professor award provides for a $10,000 academic stipend or a $15,000 research grant allowance. The award holder must select one of these options at the time of appointment, and may request a change once annually.