Nominations are now open for the 2022 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.
This is your opportunity to nominate your leaders, employees, colleagues and peers for Australia’s most prestigious awards. They recognise outstanding achievements in science, research-based innovation, and teaching our next generation about the important role science plays in our lives.
We encourage nominations of people from across a range of disciplines, who have made a significant contribution to:
- our nation’s scientific and commercialisation capabilities
- science teaching
- our social and economic well-being.
Minister for Science and Technology, the Hon Melissa Price MP, launched the 2022 Prizes’ nomination period.
“I strongly encourage people to nominate those they know are doing great work in scientific research, research-based innovation, and in science teaching,” Minister Price said. “We are working hard to increase the diversity of nominations that are received for the prizes each year, but we need everyone’s help to make this happen.”
We are committed to improving the diversity of nominations for the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science. We particularly welcome nominations of women, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, and people from regional and remote parts of Australia.
Nominees must be Australian citizens, or permanent residents of Australia.
Nominating is simple and easy on business.gov.au:
Nominations close at 5:00 pm AEDT on Thursday, 10 February 2022.
About the Prizes
Each year, the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science award up to a total of $750, 000 in prize money. The Prizes include five Science and Innovation Prizes and two Science Teaching Prizes.
Science and Innovation Prizes:
- Prime Minister’s Prize for Science: $250, 000 awarded to an Australian scientist or group of scientists who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge through science.
- Prime Minister's Prize for Innovation: $250, 000 awarded to an Australian innovator or group of innovators from industry and the research sector, who have translated scientific knowledge into a commercial product with significant economic and social benefits to society.
- Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year: $50, 000 awarded to an early to mid-career life scientist whose research is already making, or has the potential to make, an impact on our lives.
- Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year: $50, 000 awarded to an early- to mid-career physical scientist whose research is already making, or has the potential to make, an impact on our lives.
- Prize for New Innovators: $50, 000 awarded to an early to mid-career innovator from industry and the research sector whose work has the potential to enhance our economy through the translation of scientific knowledge into substantial commercial impact.
Science Teaching Prizes:
- Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools: $50, 000 awarded to an inspiring science, mathematics and technology primary school teacher, who is dedicated to innovative teaching and inspiring the next generation.
- Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools: $50, 000 awarded to an inspiring science, mathematics and technology secondary school teacher, who is dedicated to innovative teaching and inspiring the next generation.
In addition to the Prize money, each Prize recipient receives a medallion, lapel pin, prize money and an award certificate. The medallions are designed by internationally-renowned artist Wojciech Pietranik, and produced by the Royal Australian Mint.
“I was personally very thrilled to be nominated and to receive this recognition. It has also shone an important national and international light on the progress we are making to increasing breast cancer survival rates here, and overseas.”
Professor Sherene Loi, Recipient of the 2021 Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
