Nominate an inspiring scientist or innovator for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science

It starts with you! Nominating someone acknowledges their achievements and encourages them to continue to excel in their work. 

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science recognise demonstrated achievements in science and research-based innovation and commercialisation.

Prize recipients receive a medallion, prize money of $50,000 or $250,000, national recognition and exposure to new opportunities and networks. 

Prize recipients become role models for Australians. 

There are 3 science prizes: 

• Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
• Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
• Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year. 

There are 2 innovation prizes: 

• Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
• Prize for New Innovators.

Nominees can be at a variety of career stages, including early career, mid-career or later career. We encourage nominations of candidates from diverse backgrounds. 

Nominators get to spotlight the achievements of others, helping ensure their efforts are seen, valued and remembered. A nomination could change someone’s career, confidence or visibility.

Through their achievements, recipients will become important role models who inspire others in science and innovation.

Who can nominate

Nominators for the science and innovation prizes must: 

• be personally knowledgeable of the nominated achievement and offer informed opinions about its worth
• hold professional qualifications in the same or closely related field as the nominee
• provide evidence necessary to support the nomination
• ensure the nominee is willing to be nominated
• not be a close family member of the nominee. 

In addition: 

• a person can be a nominator for more than one nomination
• a nominee cannot be a supporter for their own nomination.

Who can be nominated

A nominee for the science and innovation prizes is someone who has made a meaningful contribution to science or research-based innovation.  

Nominees:

• must be willing to be nominated 
• must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia
• can be at a variety of career stages, including early career, mid-career or late career
• can be from academia, research or industry sectors
• can be an individual or a team (up to 4 individuals).

Nominees can work in the following fields as defined in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classifications 2020: 

• Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences
• Biological Sciences
• Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
• Chemical Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Engineering
• Environmental Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Indigenous studies, Group 4506 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sciences
• Indigenous studies, Group 4517 Pacific Peoples sciences
• Information and Computing Sciences
• Mathematical Sciences
• Physical Sciences.

How to nominate

To nominate, complete the stage 1 nomination form by: 

• addressing all eligibility and assessment criteria
• including the contact details of 2 supporters and 2 independent referees
• providing an up-to-date CV for each nominee.