2014 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science
FollowThe Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s national annual awards for recognition of outstanding achievement in science and excellence in science education. Nominations are open to Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents.
The five awards are:
• The Prime Minister’s Prize for Science (AUD$300,000);
• The Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year (AUD$50,000);
• The Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year (AUD$50,000);
• The Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools; (AUD$50,000); and
• The Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools (AUD$50,000)
The Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
• The Prime Minister’s Prize for Science is awarded for an outstanding specific achievement or series of related scientific achievements advancing human welfare or benefitting society.
• Nominees can be an individual or a group of up to four, if the achievement is a collaborative team effort.
• There are no restrictions as to when the achievement was accomplished, however nominees must be currently active in research.
• Past recipients of the Malcolm McIntosh Prize and Frank Fenner Prize (or its predecessor, the Science Minister’s Prize) are eligible to be nominated and considered for this award.
• Previous nominees are eligible for re-nomination subject to eligibility criteria being met.
• The award comprises an award certificate, a gold embossed medallion, lapel pin and a grant of AUD$300,000.
Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year and Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
• Nominations are open to individuals only.
• Previous nominees are eligible for re-nomination subject to eligibility criteria being met.
• The Frank Fenner Prize and the Malcolm McIntosh Prize recognise the achievement of scientists in their early to mid-career whose research advances human welfare or benefits society – or has the potential to do so.
• The Frank Fenner Prize is awarded for achievement in the life sciences, including health and medical research, biology, agriculture, veterinary science and environmental science.
• The Malcolm McIntosh Prize is awarded for achievement in the physical sciences and related enabling sciences, including chemistry, engineering, physics, astronomy, earth sciences, mathematics and information technology.
• To be eligible, the nominee must have achieved outstanding research during a research career spanning no more than 10 years (or full time equivalent):
The nominee’s highest degree should have been awarded not more than 10 years ago (on or after 29 May 2004), and a certified copy of the testamur must be provided.
The achievements listed in the nomination can include research conducted as part of studies for a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD.
At least four years of the nominee’s research career must have been spent in Australia.
Allowances will be made for career disruptions such as family leave.
Each award comprises an award certificate, an embossed silver medallion, lapel pin and a grant of AUD$50,000.
Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools and Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools
• These prizes are awarded in recognition of contributions by science teachers in their commitment and dedication to effective and creative science teaching.
• Nominations are open to individual teachers only.
• Previous nominees are eligible for re-nomination subject to eligibility criteria being met.
• The AUD$50,000 grant component of the prizes for science teaching will be shared equally between the prize recipient and the last school in the Australian education system in which the achievements cited in the nomination were realised. The school’s share of the grant must be used to finance a project or projects that will improve the school’s capacity to teach science.
• In addition to their share of the grant, the recipient will receive an award certificate, an embossed silver medallion and lapel pin.
The full eligibility criteria, nomination guidelines and the online nomination form are online at: http://www.industry.gov.au/scienceprizes.
For further information, please email: pmprize@industry.gov.au
How to nominate
Nominations for all five prizes will be conducted in two stages.
Nominators are advised to refer to the 2014 nomination guidelines for the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science before submitting a nomination. Nominations will be assessed in accordance with the guidelines.
Stage 1 requires that nominators register online to complete a form including:
• Nominator and nominee(s) details.
• Details of two supporters (for the three science prizes, one of these supporters must be based overseas).
• An achievement summary of no more than 800 words describing the achievement nominated, with reference to the selection criteria for the prize.
• A two-page curriculum vitae, which must be compiled with reference to the specific guidelines for each prize category.
• Certified proof of Australian citizenship or permanent residency.
• For the three science prizes only: the curriculum vitae should include reference to at least four articles or publications or patents which relate directly to the achievements for which the nomination is made.
• For the Frank Fenner and Malcolm McIntosh Prizes only: evidence that the nominee’s research career spans no more than 10 years (or full time equivalent):
The nominee’s highest degree should have been awarded not more than 10 years ago (on or after 29 May 2004), and a certified copy of the testamur must be provided.
The achievements listed in the nomination can include research conducted as part of studies for a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD, so long as the entire period covered is not more than 10 years.
At least four years of the nominee’s research career must have been spent in Australia.
Allowances will be made for career interruptions such as family leave.
Stage 2 requires shortlisted nominees to submit further details, including:
• Reference from the nominator of no more than five pages, addressing each point of the prize selection criteria.
• References from the two supporters endorsing the nominated achievement.
• A paragraph in simple English describing the nature, impact and importance of the nominee’s nominated achievements, for possible use in publicity.
• For the three science prizes only: a list of publications and copy of each of the four publications which best describe the nominated achievement.
CLOSING DATE: 29 May, 5.00 pm local time in Canberra