Applications for 2022 ASPIRE Prize closing soon

The Australian Academy of Science is looking for Australian researchers to be nominated for the APEC Science Prize for Innovation, Research and Education (ASPIRE) Prize for 2022.

The ASPIRE Prize is an annual award, valued at US$25,000, which recognises young scientists from APEC economies who have demonstrated a commitment to both excellence in scientific research, as evidenced by scholarly publication, and cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies. The prize supports APEC’s mission to:

• strengthen international science and technology networks;
• enhance economic growth, trade and investment opportunities in harmony with sustainable development, through policies, innovative R&D and technologies, and knowledge sharing;
• improve linkages and efficiency between research and innovation.
   

The theme chosen for this year is ‘Innovation to achieve economic, environmental, and social goals’ and will showcase impactful research created to transform the whole of society to become more balanced and sustainable. This may include research that encourages biological advances, promotes sustainability or achieves better understanding of agricultural systems. The Australian Government and the Australian Academy of Science are running a national competition to select three Australian finalists.

Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to excellence in scientific research and cooperation with scientists from other APEC member economies, including inclusive and interdisciplinary collaborations, in fields including biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics, mathematics, economics, social sciences and other relevant fields. The winner of the national competition, along with other economies’ candidates, will be nominated for the ASPIRE Prize, with the overall winner announced at the APEC PPSTI meeting — to be held in Thailand in August of this year.

To be eligible for nomination, Australian researchers must be under 40 years of age on 31 December 2022 and be an Australian citizen, or an Australian permanent resident who is a citizen of an APEC member economy and living in Australia at time of application. Nominations must be submitted by a grant or research office; self-nominations are not accepted.

The deadline for nominations is 5 pm (AEST) on Monday, 9 May 2022. For more information and to access the nomination form, click here.

Image caption: Australian nutrition scientist Dr Jessica Bogard won the 2021 ASPIRE Prize for her innovations to increase access to healthy and sustainable foods for vulnerable people in low- and middle-income countries.

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