Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science content hub

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious and highly regarded science awards.

The prizes celebrate demonstrated achievements in:

• scientific research
• research-based innovation
• the practice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems
• excellence in science teaching.

Prize recipients receive national recognition for their impactful work. They are important role models and join alumni whose achievements benefit Australia and the rest of the world.

The prizes are funded through the Australian Government’s Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program. 

We encourage nominations of candidates from diverse personal and cultural backgrounds, disciplines, career stages and geographic regions including:

• women and gender diverse people
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
• people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
• LGBTQIA+ people
• people living in regional and remote areas
• people living with disabilities
• people from low socio-economic backgrounds
• neurodivergent people.

When to nominate

• Nominations close on 7 January 2027 at 5:00pm AEDT. 
• Start preparing your nomination early and don’t miss the closing date.

Why nominate

• Prize recipients receive prize money of $50,000 or $250,000, a medallion, a lapel pin and certificate. 
• Prize recipients receive national recognition and can become role models for people working in STEM.
• Highly ranked nominees may be recognised as highly commended.
• Nominating someone for a prize acknowledges the important contribution they make to their field of work. 
• Nominating someone spotlights their achievements, helps ensure their efforts are seen, valued and remembered. 
• Nominating someone encourages them to continue to excel in their work. It could enhance the nominee’s career, confidence or visibility.

Who can be nominated

• Nominees of the science and innovation prizes:
  
  • are people who have made a meaningful contribution to science or innovation
  • 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 work in any of the 14 science fields in the guidelines.
• Nominees for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science or the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation can be an individual or a team (up to 4 individuals).
• We encourage nominations of candidates from diverse backgrounds. Greater diversity offers a wider range of perspectives that strengthen the nation’s ability to solve scientific problems, drive innovation and address significant challenges.
• Nominations are assessed relative to opportunity. Career breaks, caring responsibilities, community roles and cultural obligations will not disadvantage nominees.

Who can nominate

• Nominations can be made by people who are knowledgeable about the nominee’s work. They need to be able to offer informed opinions about its significance.
• They must hold professional qualifications in the same or a closely related field as the nominee.
• They must not be a close family member of the nominee.

How to nominate
 

The Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems recognises the practice and preservation of these knowledge systems.

The prize was awarded for the first time in 2025. The 2027 prizes continue to recognise the continuous contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems to science, our nation and humanity.

When to nominate

• Nominations close on 7 January 2027 at 5:00pm AEDT. 
• Start preparing your nomination early and don’t miss the closing date.

Why nominate

• Prize recipients receive $250,000 in prize money, a medallion, a lapel pin and certificate.
• Through their achievement, recipients become important role models who inspire other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all Australians.
• Highly ranked nominees may be recognised as highly commended.
• Nominating someone spotlights their achievements, helps ensure their efforts are seen, valued and remembered. 
• Nominating someone encourages them to continue to excel in their work. It could enhance the nominee’s career, confidence or visibility.

Who can be nominated

• The prize will be awarded to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander-led project that:
  • benefits Australian Indigenous peoples, communities or place
  • contributes to solving a significant challenge through the practice and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems
  • demonstrates sincere connection and respectful engagement with community and Australian Indigenous peoples.
• Nominees of the Knowledge Systems Prize:
  • must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • can be an individual, a team or a community group (up to 4 people may be named)
  • must practise Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems as a significant part of an Indigenous-led project with demonstrated benefit to Australian Indigenous peoples, communities and/or place.
• Nominations are assessed relative to opportunity. Career breaks, caring responsibilities, community roles and cultural obligations will not disadvantage nominees.

Who can nominate

• Nominations can be made by people knowledgeable about the nominee’s work.
• Nominators must not be a close family member of the nominee.

How to nominate
 

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Excellence in Science Teaching celebrate teachers who inspire students to engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

There are 2 science teaching prizes:

• Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
• Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools.

When to nominate

• Nominations close on 7 January 2027 at 5:00pm AEDT. 
• Start preparing your nomination early and don’t miss the closing date.

Why nominate

• Prize recipients receive $250,000 in prize money, a medallion, a lapel pin and certificate.
• Prize recipients receive national recognition. 
• Highly ranked nominees may be recognised as highly commended.
• Nominating someone spotlights their achievements, helps ensure their efforts are seen, valued and remembered. 
• Nominating someone encourages them to continue to excel in their work. It could enhance the nominee’s career, confidence or visibility.

Who can be nominated

• Nominees must have at least 10 years’ experience as a classroom teacher in Australia.
• This can be in any area of science, technology, engineering or mathematics, but they do not need to be a specialist in these subject matter areas.
• Nominees must be a registered teacher at a primary or secondary school listed on the Australian Schools List. 
• We encourage nominations of candidates from diverse backgrounds. Greater diversity offers a wider range of perspectives that strengthen the nation’s ability to solve scientific problems, drive innovation and address significant challenges.
• Nominations are assessed relative to opportunity. Career breaks, caring responsibilities, community roles and cultural obligations will not disadvantage nominees.

Who can nominate

• Nominators must be personally knowledgeable of the nominee’s work. 
• Nominators must not be a close family member of the nominee.
• The principal or head of school of the nominee must be involved as either the nominator or a supporter.
• If the nominee is the principal, a school executive or a counterpart in a school authority must be involved as the nominator or a supporter.

How to nominate
 

Subject: Know someone making an impact through science? Nominate them for a national prize!

Body:

Every day, people across our community are exploring new ideas, creating clever inventions and finding answers to big challenges. But they can’t put themselves forward. They need us to nominate them!

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science. These prizes celebrate scientists and innovators at all stages of their careers, with prize money ranging from $50,000 to $250,000.

Getting started in stage 1 is simple:

1. Check eligibility: Your nominee needs to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident working in science, technology, engineering or maths.
2. Team up: Talk to your nominee so you can work on the nomination together.
3. Write a short summary: Stage 1 only asks for a brief statement about their work and impact (around 1,500 characters per criterion).
4. Attach a 2-page CV: Use the simple template on the website.
5. Name your supporters: Line up 2 people who can speak about their achievements if shortlisted.

Nominations close on 7 January 2027. Let’s make sure our colleagues’ hard work is seen and valued.

Start a nomination today at industry.gov.au/PMPrizesNominate.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are funded through the Australian Government’s Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program.

Subject: Celebrate Indigenous-led knowledge: Nominate for the Knowledge Systems Prize

Body:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems have cared for Country and place across Australia for tens of thousands of years. This deep wisdom continues to offer vital solutions for our environment, health and communities today.

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems.

This prize awards $250,000 to an Indigenous-led project that practices and preserves cultural knowledge systems to solve significant challenges.

Who can be nominated?

• Nominees must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
• They can be an individual, a team or a community group.
• The project must be Indigenous-led and demonstrate benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities or Country and place.

Nominations must come from someone who knows the project well. Stage 1 requires a simple written summary of the project’s purpose and impact and background statement about nominees.

Help ensure this important work is recognised. Nominate today at industry.gov.au/PMPrizesNominate.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are funded through the Australian Government’s Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program.

Subject: Recognise an inspiring STEM teacher at your school!

Body:

Do you know a teacher who makes science, technology, engineering or maths exciting for students? Great teachers spark a sense of wonder that can stay with young people for life.

Nominations are open for the 2027 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science teaching categories:

• Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
• Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools.

Each prize recipient receives $250,000, along with national recognition from the Prime Minister.

Who is eligible?

• Full-time or part-time registered teachers with at least 10 years of classroom experience in Australia.
• Teachers do not need to be science specialists, just teachers who bring STEM curriculum to life in their classrooms!
• The nomination must have the support of the school principal.

Stage 1 is simple: You need a statement addressing the criteria, a 2-page CV and 2 supporters ready.

Show our teachers how much their dedication matters. Start a nomination at industry.gov.au/PMPrizesNominate.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are funded through the Australian Government’s Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program.

Subject: Let’s shine a light on women leading the way in STEM

Body:

Great ideas come from people with different life experiences. When more women take part in science, technology, engineering and maths, our whole community benefits from fresh perspectives.

Nominations are open for the 2027 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, and we want to help ensure women in our fields are celebrated.

Why nominate someone you know?

• Recognition matters: Being nominated opens up new career pathways, creates visible role models for young girls and builds confidence.
• Stage 1 is simple: You need a short statement about their achievements and a 2-page CV to get started.

Help us celebrate the women making a real difference in our network. Put forward a nomination today at industry.gov.au/PMPrizesNominate.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are funded through the Australian Government’s Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program.

Do you know someone using science, engineering, technology or maths to understand or solve everyday problems? 🔬 Clever ideas deserve national recognition! 

Nominations are now open for the 5 science and innovation categories in the 2027 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science. 

Stage 1 is easy to complete. Nominate a peer or colleague today: industry.gov.au/PMPrizesNominate #PMPrizes 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have cared for Country and place for tens of thousands of years. 🌿 

Nominations are now open for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems. 

Nominate an Indigenous-led project today: industry.gov.au/PMPrizesNominate #PMPrizes 

Do you know a primary or secondary teacher who makes science, tech, maths or engineering exciting? 🍎🔬 

Nominations are open for the 2 science teaching categories in the 2027 Prime Minister’s Prizes.

Nominate an inspiring teacher today:industry.gov.au/PMPrizesNominate #PMPrizes 

Diversity brings new ideas to science! 💡 We want to see more women recognised for their achievements in science, technology, engineering and maths. 

Step up and nominate a woman making an impact for the 2027 #PMPrizes: industry.gov.au/PMPrizesNominate