Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science

Programme Overview

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious awards celebrating scientific and educational excellence. The annual programme spans six categories, including the flagship Prime Minister’s Prize for Science, the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation, the Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year, the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year, and two prizes dedicated to exceptional science and mathematics teachers. Winners receive national recognition, media exposure, and cash awards that can be reinvested into research, commercialization, or classroom resources. The programme underscores Australia’s commitment to world-class science and highlights role models who inspire future generations.

Opportunity Snapshot

Eligibility and Nomination Guidance

Each category has tailored eligibility requirements, but strong nominations typically include:

• Demonstrated excellence. Provide evidence of breakthrough research, transformative innovation, or outstanding teaching outcomes supported by data, publications, or testimonials.
• National impact. Articulate how the nominee’s achievements benefit Australia’s economy, society, health, environment, or global reputation.
• Collaboration and leadership. Highlight interdisciplinary partnerships, mentorship roles, and contributions to STEM policy or outreach.
• Endorsement quality. Secure letters from respected leaders who can speak to the nominee’s impact and integrity. Include supporting materials such as videos, media articles, or patent summaries.

Nomination Roadmap

Impact and Stewardship Expectations

Laureates become ambassadors for Australian science. They are often invited to deliver public lectures, participate in policy forums, and engage with schools. Plan for media training, stakeholder outreach, and community events that extend the award’s influence. For teaching awardees, consider developing professional development workshops or digital resources that share best practices with educators nationwide.

Tips and Tricks for a Winning Nomination

• Quantify achievements. Use clear metrics—citations, patents, commercial revenue, student performance gains—to substantiate excellence.
• Show societal relevance. Connect the work to national priorities like climate adaptation, health security, Indigenous knowledge partnerships, or advanced manufacturing.
• Highlight mentorship. Illustrate how the nominee supports early-career researchers, teachers, or students through structured programmes.
• Incorporate multimedia. Short videos or interactive content can bring complex science to life for reviewers.
• Plan a legacy narrative. Describe future ambitions and how the prize will accelerate broader impact in research translation, industry collaboration, or STEM education.

Building a Comprehensive Nomination Package

Consider structuring the nomination around three pillars: excellence, impact, and future potential. For each pillar, compile evidence such as landmark publications, patents, student outcomes, and community engagement statistics. Include a one-page timeline of career milestones, awards, and public service to help reviewers quickly grasp the nominee’s trajectory. Where innovation is involved, integrate technology readiness levels, commercialisation milestones, and endorsements from industry partners or venture investors.

Develop an outreach dossier that demonstrates the nominee’s ability to communicate science. Feature media interviews, podcasts, public lectures, or science festival appearances. For teacher nominees, include classroom artefacts, lesson plans, and student testimonials that show transformative pedagogy. Make sure reference writers align their letters with the nomination narrative, highlighting unique attributes rather than repeating CV content.

Leveraging Partnerships and National Priorities

Map the nominee’s contributions to national strategies such as the National Reconstruction Fund Priorities, Australia’s National Science and Research Priorities, or state-based innovation agendas. Demonstrate how collaborations with CSIRO, Cooperative Research Centres, Indigenous communities, or international consortia amplify national impact. For innovation categories, outline pathways to scale through manufacturing partners, clinical trials, or export opportunities, including regulatory and commercial readiness.

Engage communications and government relations teams early to secure quotes from ministers, industry leaders, or community partners who can champion the nomination. Providing evidence of bipartisan or cross-sector support underscores societal resonance and can help with media coverage if selected.

Post-Award Amplification Strategy

Anticipate the responsibilities that come with national recognition. Draft a 12-month engagement plan that includes keynote addresses, regional school visits, mentorship circles, and collaboration with the Office of the Chief Scientist or Inspiring Australia initiatives. If the nominee leads a research group, outline how prize funds will accelerate talent attraction, lab upgrades, or commercialisation pipelines, and set measurable milestones for reporting to stakeholders.

For teacher prize recipients, propose creating open educational resources or professional learning communities that disseminate best practices nationwide. Being proactive about legacy planning signals to judges that the nominee will leverage the platform to elevate Australian science and inspire diverse audiences.