Nominations are open.
Closing date: Thursday 7 January 2027, 5:00pm AEDT.
About these prizes
These prizes recognise Australian scientists and innovators whose achievements in science and research-based innovation have benefited Australia. They span diverse career stages and disciplines across science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
There are 5 prizes for science, including 2 prizes for innovation:
- Prime Minister’s Prize for Science ($250,000)
- Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation ($250,000)
- Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year ($50,000)
- Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year ($50,000)
- Prize for New Innovators ($50,000).
The Prime Minister’s Prize for Science and the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation can be awarded to an individual or a team of up to 4 individuals to recognise a collaborative effort.
Each recipient receives prize money, a medallion, lapel pin and certificate.
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 or team you nominate meet the eligibility criteria.
Who can be nominated
To be eligible for a science or innovation prize, nominees must:
- meet the specific criteria for the prize
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia (they can be currently living or studying overseas)
- be willing to be nominated, prepared to supply evidence and understand the obligations that come with the prize
- not be nominated for more than one prize in the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science per year (if this happens, the nominator must select a prize to pursue).
Nominee achievements can be in any of the following fields (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.
You can name up to 4 nominees as part of a team for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science and the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation.
Nominees don’t need to be a member of a professional association or have received any previous award. Previous nominees are eligible for renomination.
We encourage nominations of candidates from diverse personal and cultural backgrounds, disciplines, career stages and geographic regions.
Who can nominate
Nominators for a science or innovation prize must:
- be personally knowledgeable about the nominated achievement and be able to offer informed opinions on its significance
- hold professional qualifications in the same or closely related field as the nominee
- 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
- 2 independent referees.
One independent referee must be based overseas for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science and the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation.
Nomination process
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Step 1
Read the Prize Minister’s Prizes for Science – Science Prizes guidelines before nominating.
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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 nominee, and confirm supporters and referees are available. Work with the nominee to help shape a complete, accurate and compelling submission.
Include:
- your nominee’s CV in our 2-page template, with up to 4 relevant patents or articles
- statement about their achievements 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 makes recommendations. 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 inspiration?
Be inspired by recent science and innovation prize recipients.
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2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for ScienceReceiving this prize is incredible and the most important recognition I’ve received in my life. It allows our community to see the importance of the field of science and the impact of air quality in our world. -
2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for InnovationIt represents a wonderful tribute to the researchers, innovators and policy makers who are working together to position Australia as the best place in the world to study, research and work in quantum.
Need help nominating?
Contact us
Let us answer your question by phone, email or live chat. You can get support through our contact centre.
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