Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg

Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg received the 2024 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year.

Nominating someone acknowledges their achievements and encourages them to continue to excel in their work.

There are 8 prize categories:

  • 5 science prizes, including 2 for innovation, that span diverse career stages and disciplines across science, technology, engineering and mathematics
  • 1 knowledge systems prize that recognises the practice and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems
  • 2 science teaching prizes for primary and secondary school science teachers who inspire students to engage in STEM.

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

Who can be nominated? 

People making a meaningful contribution to science, innovation, science teaching or the practice and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems. 

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 or research sectors, industry sectors, Indigenous communities or education sectors.

Who can nominate? 

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

You must: 

  • be personally knowledgeable of the nominated achievement and be able to offer informed opinions about its significance
  • not be a close family member of the nominee.

Read the guidelines for the details on each prize. 

[Music plays. Professor Tony Haymet, Australia’s Chief Scientist appears on the screen, along with a label showing his name, position and the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science medallion. 

In the background is moving artwork and the colours that form part of the branding for the 2026 Prizes.]

Hello, I'm Professor Tony Haymet, Australia's Chief Scientist.

I'm excited to announce that the nominations for the 2026 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science are officially open.

Can you think of someone making a real impact in science, innovation, the practice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems, or in science teaching?

If so, now's the time to shine a light on their contribution and nominate them for the recognition they deserve.

The 8 prize categories cut across early career, mid-career and late career stages and span academia, research, industry, Indigenous knowledge systems and STEM education.

Just nominating someone can be a great acknowledgment of the importance of what they do.

If they are selected as a recipient, they'll receive a medallion and prize money of up to $250,000.

Crucially, they also gain national recognition of their work and access to new opportunities and networks.

Your nomination could change someone's career, confidence or visibility.

Don't wait. Nominate someone who inspires you today.

[End panel shows the Australian Government crest, the text, ‘The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science and the image of the Prize medallion.]

2026 nominations now open

Learn more about the nomination process on business.gov.au: 

We encourage nominations of candidates from diverse backgrounds. This includes personal and cultural backgrounds, disciplines, career stages and geographic regions.

Nominations close 18 December 2025.