How to nominate for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems

[Music plays. The background is maroon, gold and white with a vertical minaral, star designs and straight lines with illuminated dots at the end of each line.]

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science 2025 [in capitals, the Australian Government logo and Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science medallion appear to the left].

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How to nominate...for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems.

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Nomination open until 5:00 pm AEDT 18 March 2025.

[Image changes to Professor Tom Calma AO is sitting in a garden.]

He says: Hi I’m Tom Calma. I’m Kungarakan, Iwaidja and Woolwonga from the Darwin region in the Northern Territory.

[His title appears at the bottom centre of the screen – Professor Tom Calma AO FAA FASSA FAHA. The text is maroon and in capitals with a gold background. There are 2 images of stars to the right and the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science medallion to the left.]

[Image changes to Professor Calma walking through plants]

Professor Calma says: I’m also a member of the selection committee for this prize.

I’d like to begin by acknowledging...

[Image changes to Professor Calma sitting in front of a garden]

He says: Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people across Australia, across all the countries that you’re coming in from.

I recognise your elders, past and present, and I also recognise your youth, like I do for all youth who are going to be our future leaders, the custodians of our stories, our culture, our histories and our languages.

Today we’re at a webinar that will give you the opportunity to understand more about the prize, how to apply for it, the eligibility criteria and any other questions you might have about the prize.

[Images changes to Professor Calma closer to the camera]

He says: But also recognising that if you are a prize winner, you will become an ambassador for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people. And you’ll be able to go and spruik who we are and about our knowledge systems and the great work that you do.

But also remember that you know all genders, male, female, and all genders and our youth are eligible for this award.

So, take this opportunity to participate in this webinar.

And if you require more information, you’ll be told how to get it by going to industry.gov.au/PMPrizes and you’ll get all the information there as well.

[Images changes to Anthony McGregor in the centre of the screen. The background is maroon, gold and white with a vertical minaral, star designs and straight lines with illuminated dots at the end of each line. Maroon text appears in the bottom right-hand corner.]

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science 2025 [in capitals and Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science medallion appear to the left].

Anthony says: Hello. I’m Anthony from the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

[His title appears at the bottom centre of the screen – Anthony McGregor Department of Industry, Science and Resources. The text is maroon and in capitals with a gold background. There are 2 images of stars to the right and the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science medallion to the left.]

He says: Thank you to Professor Calma for his introduction.

I wish to acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the land that I am speaking to you from.

I also acknowledge and welcome any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may be watching this information video.

Thank you for taking time to learn about preparing your nomination for the new Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems.

This prize is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are solving significant challenges through the practice and preservation of knowledge systems.

Today, I will take you through the nominations process for this prize.

While there are 2 stages to nominating, this video focuses on stage 1 submitting a nomination.

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What you’ll learn:

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] Who can be nominated

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] Who can nominate

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] What you’ll need to prepare for your nomination

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] Where and how to submit your nomination

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] What happens after you submit your nomination

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] Where you can get help

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Anthony says: In this video, I will clarify who can be nominated and who can nominate them.

I’ll run through what information you need to gather for your nomination and show you where and how to submit your stage 1 nomination.

As well as what you can expect to happen after you have submitted a nomination.

I will also highlight where you can get help, if you need it.

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Nominations close on Tuesday 18 March at 5:00 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

Anthony says: Nominations for this Prize will close on the 18^th of March 2025 at 5 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

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Nominees must be:

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

[This text appears underneath with a sub dot point] an individual

[This text appears underneath with a sub dot point] team members (up to 4 members)

[This text appears underneath with a sub dot point] community group (up to 4 representatives).

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia.

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Anthony says: To be eligible for this Prize, nominees must be an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. They can be:

an individual

members of a team or

representatives of a community group.

[Image changes. The background is maroon, gold and white with a vertical minaral, star designs and straight lines with illuminated dots at the end of each line. Anthony is in the centre of the screen. Maroon text appears in the bottom right-hand corner.]

[The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science 2025 | Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science medallion appear to the left.]

He says: This prize is not designed to recognise Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander researchers who are not using Australian Indigenous knowledge systems in their work.

Of course, these scientists and researchers may be eligible for other prize categories in the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.

Eligible nominees

[This text appears underneath] Nominees must be practising knowledge systems as part of a project which:

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] demonstrates benefit to Australian Indigenous peoples, communities and/or place and to Australia more broadly

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] contributes to solving a significant challenge through the practice and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] demonstrates sincere connection and respectful engagement with community and Australian Indigenous peoples

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] elevates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems.

Anthony says: Nominees do not need to have a formal qualification, be a member of a professional association or have received any prior award to be eligible.

It’s important to note that nominees must be practicing knowledge systems as part of a project which demonstrates benefit to Australian Indigenous peoples, communities and/or place, and to Australia more broadly.

Their project will need to demonstrate their contribution to solving a significant challenge through the practice and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems.

And their project will need to demonstrate sincere connection and respectful engagement with community and Australian Indigenous peoples, as well as demonstrating how it is elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems.

[This text appears underneath] Nominations can be made by:

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] someone familiar with the nominee and their project, such as a community member, colleague or peer.

[Heading and this text appears underneath] Benefits of nominating.

[This text appears underneath] By nominating, you:

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] are acknowledging the value of your nominee’s contribution to community, place and our nation

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] give your nominee the opportunity to receive $250,000 in prize money if they are named the recipient.

Anthony says: To nominate, you need to know about the project and make sure you have the nominee’s permission to nominate them.

It is not possible to nominate someone if they are your close family member, such as a parent, spouse, child or sibling. You also can’t nominate yourself. But you can find someone else who can nominate you or your family member.

Just by nominating, you will be acknowledging the value of your nominee’s contribution to community, place and the nation.

Prize recipients will be announced at a presentation event later in the year. The selected prize recipient will receive $250,000 in prize money. They’ll also receive a medallion designed by an Australian Indigenous artist, a lapel pin and a certificate signed by the Prime Minister and the Science Minister.

If your nominees are selected recipient, they’ll be able to share their important work and its impact with the nation. They’ll become important role models who can inspire other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all Australians.

He says: Your nomination submission will need your contact details and the contact details of the person, team or community group representative that you are nominating.

In addition, there are 4 key things that you’ll need to gather or prepare for your stage 1 nomination.

[This text appears underneath with the number 1] Prepare a written response addressing the assessment criteria in the guidelines. This just needs to be up to 790 words (or 4500 characters).

[This text appears underneath with the number 2] Provide a written description of the nominee’s background or a CV for each nominee.

[This text appears underneath with the number 3] Provide the contact details of 2 people who have agreed to support the nomination and can offer informed opinions about its significance.

[This text appears underneath with the number 4] Provide the contact details of 2 additional people who have agreed to provide an independent reference for the nomination.

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Anthony says: 1. a written response addressing the assessment criteria in the guidelines. This just needs to be up to 790 words or 4500 characters.

a written description of the nominee's background or, if they have one, a CV. This is needed for each nominee.

the contact details of 2 other people who have agreed to support the nomination and can offer informed opinions about its significance.

the contact details of 2 additional people who have agreed to provide an independent reference for the nomination.

The contact details of 2 additional people who have agreed to provide an independent reference for the nomination.

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business.gov.au/PMPSKS25

Anthony says: The prize’s webpage on business.gov.au is your central source of information about nominating for the prize. It can be found at business.gov.au/PMPSKS25.

He says: This page will help you prepare your nomination including a link to the grants portal where you will submit your nomination.

Let’s look at this webpage.

[Image changes. The background is a blue and white rectangle which shows the business.gov.au/PMPSKS25 webpage. The screen scrolls down the webpage to the key document section.]

Anthony says: When you scroll down this page, you’ll see some of the information I just shared about eligibility and nominating. There is also some information you can read here about how nominations are assessed. At the bottom of the page there are links to the Prize’s guidelines.

There are sample application forms for an individual or team or community group nomination. There are templates for the written statements and the CVs.

He says: You can use these to prepare before you go in to submit your nomination on the grants portal.

As well as additional advice to help prepare your response to the assessment criteria.

[Image changes. The background is a blue and white rectangle which show the business.gov.au/PMPSKS25 webpage. The screen scrolls down the webpage to the Apply now section.]

Anthony says: Once you have gathered the information you need to submit your nomination, you will go to the business.gov.au Grants Portal.

You can find a link to the Grants Portal on the Prizes web page when you click, Apply Now.

[Image changes. The screen is now showing the application page on the grants portal. It is showing questions relating to submitting a nomination. The questions are being answered show some of the steps needed to submit a nomination.]

Anthony says: Once in the grants portal, you will be asked a few questions before you can select the nomination form.

[Image changes. The application form is on screen. It is showing questions relating to submitting a nomination and how to answer them. Anthony is on the right-hand side of the screen.]

He says: You do not need an Australian Business Number to submit a nomination. So you can select ‘No’ to this question.

Under entity type, you’ll need to select that you are an individual who is completing the form.

Further down the page, under ‘Program selection’, you choose the nomination form that you require.

If you are nominating a single person, select 'PM Prizes - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems - Individual’.

If you are nominating a team or community group, select 'PM Prizes - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems Team Group’.

[Image changes. The application form is on screen. It is showing questions relating to submitting a nomination. The questions are being answered show some of the steps needed to submit a nomination

Anthony says: Please make sure to provide all the information requested in the form.

While you are completing the form, the system will do some basic checking of your answers.

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Anthony says: It will alert you if there are any obvious issues. For example, missing answers to mandatory questions.

He says: Make sure you have checked all the details so that your nomination is eligible.

You will only be able to submit the nomination form once you have passed all form eligibility checks and completed all sections of the form.

If you have all your nomination information ready, this process should take around 20 minutes for you to complete.

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[This text appears underneath] Go to the business.gov.au/contact-us page:

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] Email us through the contact us form

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] Call us on 13 28 46

[This text appears underneath with a dot point] Live chat with us.

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Anthony says: We are here to support you through this process, so we encourage you to start your nomination soon and make contact with us early if you need any help submitting your nomination.

We have a number of ways that you can access support.

On business.gov.au you’ll find a contact us page for help:

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You can call us on the listed phone number – 13 28 46

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You can email us through the website form, or

[icon for an open envelope on a computer and then an arrow pointing to a green live chat button appears at the bottom of the screen. The business.gov.au webpage appears on the lower right-hand side of the screen.]

You can Live chat with us.

[Image changes. Anthony is in the centre of the screen looking forward. The background is maroon, gold and white with a vertical minaral, star designs and straight lines with illuminated dots at the end of each line. Maroon text appears in the bottom right-hand corner.]

He says: Just nominating someone is an important acknowledgement of their contributions.

Thank you for learning more about the nomination process for this important new prize.

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Nominate at business.gov.au/PMPSKS25.

[This text appears underneath] Nominations close at 5:00 pm AEDT on Tuesday 18 March 2025.

[In a maroon box, in the bottom left-hand corner. These words appear in white text.]

More about the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science can be found at:

[This text appears underneath] Industry.gov.au/PMPrizes

[This text appears underneath] LinkedIn (/department-of-industry)

[This text appears underneath] Facebook (@IndustryGovAu)

[This text appears underneath] X (@ScienceGovAu)

Anthony says: Nominations for this stage close on the 18^th of March 2025 at 5pm Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time.

[Image changes. Anthony is in the centre of the screen looking forward. The background is maroon, gold and white with a vertical minaral, star designs and straight lines with illuminated dots at the end of each line. Maroon text appears in the bottom right-hand corner.]

He says: An independent committee of experts will review all the eligible nominations received against the assessment criteria. They’ll shortlist nominations to proceed to the next stage of assessment. Committee members have a deep appreciation for and experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge system

If your nomination is shortlisted to proceed to stage 2, we will contact you to invite you to submit a stage 2 nomination form, which will ask for more information and details about their achievement.

But for now, thank you for watching this information video, reach out to us if we can help, and get your nominations in!

Music plays [Image changes. The background is maroon, gold and white with a vertical minaral, star designs and straight lines with illuminated dots at the end of each line. These words appear in maroon text across the top of the screen.]

[These words appear in maroon and gold text.]

Nominate at business.gov.au/PMPSKS25

[This text appears underneath] Nominations close at 5:00 pm AEDT on Tuesday 18 March 2025.

[In a maroon box, in the bottom left-hand corner. These words appear in white text.]

More about the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science can be found at:

[This text appears underneath] Industry.gov.au/PMPrizes

[This text appears underneath] LinkedIn (/department-of-industry)

[This text appears underneath] Facebook (@IndustryGovAu)

[This text appears underneath] X(@ScienceGovAu)

How to nominate for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems

Who can nominate?

Who can be nominated?

How to nominate

Transcript

Welcome from Professor Tom Calma

How to submit a nomination with Anthony McGregor

Eligible nominees

Who can nominate

How to nominate

Nomination webpage

Help with your nomination

Summary

Nominate a person, team or community group now on business.gov.au

Browse resources to promote the prizes

More information

Contact us

Connect with us

Contact us at the department

Connect with us at the department

Acknowledgement of Country