Nominations are open.
Closing date: Thursday 7 January 2027, 5:00pm AEDT.
About this prize
This prize recognises Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander-led projects that benefit Australian Indigenous peoples, communities or place. The project should contribute to solving a significant challenge through the practice and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems Prize is $250,000.
There are 3 nomination types available for this prize:
- individual
- team
- community group.
Up to 4 individuals may be named for a team or up to 4 representatives for a community group.
If awarded to a team, each recipient receives a medallion, lapel pin, certificate and an equal portion of the prize money.
If awarded to a community group, the group receives a medallion, lapel pin, certificate and the prize money is awarded to the community group.
The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are funded through the Australian Government’s Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program.
Check if you can nominate
You can nominate if you and the person, team or community group you nominate meet the eligibility criteria.
Who can be nominated
To be eligible for a knowledge systems prize, nominees must:
- be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
- be an individual, a member of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander-led team (including family groups), or a representative of a community group
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia
- be willing to be nominated, prepared to supply evidence and understand the obligations that come with the prize
- practice knowledge systems as part of a project with a demonstrable benefit to Australian Indigenous peoples, communities and/or place and to Australia more broadly
- not be nominated for more than one prize in the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science per year (if this happens, we will ask them to select a prize to pursue).
You can name up to 4 nominees as part of a team or community group. For community groups, the selected nominees will be representatives for the whole community group.
Previous nominees are eligible for renomination.
We particularly encourage nominations of candidates from diverse backgrounds and all gender identities.
Who can nominate
Nominators for a knowledge system prize must:
- be personally knowledgeable about the nominated achievement and be able to offer informed opinions on its significance
- not be a close family member of the nominee
- not be a supporter or an independent referee for the same nomination
- not nominate themself.
A nominator can submit more than 1 nomination.
Who needs to support the nomination
A nomination must include:
- 2 supporters to provide supporting views for the nomination achievement against the assessment criteria
- 2 independent referees.
Nomination process
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Step 1
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Step 2
Submit your stage 1 nomination via the online portal.
You’ll need to address all eligibility and assessment criteria in the guidelines, provide details for yourself and the nominees, and confirm supporters and referees are available. Work with the nominees to help shape a complete, accurate and compelling submission.
Include:
- a background and experience statement on each nominee in our 2-page template
- a statement addressing the assessment criteria (1,500 characters per criterion).
Find sample nomination forms and attachments at the bottom of this page. -
Step 3
An independent committee assesses your nomination against the assessment criteria and other nominations.
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Step 4
If your nomination is shortlisted, we invite you to proceed to stage 2.
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Step 5
Submit your stage 2 nomination via the online portal.
Work with the nominee to address all assessment criteria in more detail.
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Step 6
An independent committee assesses your nomination and recommends recipients. The minister makes the final decision.
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Step 7
We notify nominators and recipients of outcomes.
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Step 8
Recipients are announced at a presentation event and online.
Nominate now
If you’re confident you and your nominee are eligible, you can complete the stage 1 nomination form via our online portal.
Make sure you have:
- read the guidelines
- checked your nominee is willing to be nominated
- lined up your supporters and referees.
Before starting your nomination, you’ll need to create or log into your portal account.
Need help nominating?
Contact us
Let us answer your question by phone, email or live chat. You can get support through our contact centre.
- Phone: 13 28 46
- Open hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm across Australia
- Website: Contact us
- Technical help: See our customer portal's frequently asked questions.