Prime Minister's Prizes for Science

The search is on for Australia’s best scientists and science teachers with the prestigious and highly regarded Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science now open for nominations.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science recognise excellence in science and science teaching and are spread across five key categories. The prizes are awarded annually to Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Five prizes are:

• The Prime Minister’s Prize for Science ($300,000), which recognises achievement at the very highest level by an Australian scientist.
• The Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year ($50,000) that acknowledges early- to mid-career scientists, recognising research that is considered to be world class conducted within 10 years of completing the nominee’s highest degree.
• The Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year ($50,000), which also acknowledges early- to mid-career scientists, similar to the Frank Fenner Prize.
• The Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools ($50,000), which rewards the role of schools in supporting excellence in science teaching by sharing the $50,000 prize money equally between the recipient teacher and their school.
• The Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools ($50,000), similar to the prize above.

Over the past 13 years, the prizes have recognised Australians responsible for significant discoveries including the bionic ear, the cervical cancer vaccine, technology that underpins fast, reliable wireless computing and evidence of an accelerating universe.

Nominations involve a two-stage nomination process with nominations for the first stage closing on 29 May 2014.

See here for further details.