Traditional Knowledge Innovation Award - 2025

The ATSE Traditional Knowledge Innovation Award celebrates STEM research and development by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or communities which is based on, or significantly incorporates or builds on, Traditional Knowledge. The Award acknowledges and recognises an individual, team, community, or organisation respectfully and successfully applying Australian Traditional Knowledge in contemporary innovation contexts.

The winning nominee will receive a cash prize and medal.

The Award criteria are:

• Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous innovation: The nominee demonstrates achievement of excellence or impact in any STEM field by incorporating, applying or innovating Traditional Knowledge to address a contemporary issue, problem or challenge. This may include (but is not limited to) academic research, applied research or practice.
• Application of the Traditional Knowledge innovation: The work or innovation of the nominee has achieved or has a clearly articulated a likely path to achieve, success in translation from Traditional Knowledge (knowing) to contemporary practical application (being, doing) within a STEM setting. Contemporary practical application may, but does not have to, include pathways to commercialisation. The work or innovation of the nominee has potential to improve or has improved understanding and awareness of Traditional Knowledge and its modern value.
• Ways of working: The nominee builds meaningful, trusting, respectful and equitable relationships, through the process of sharing and weaving Traditional Knowledge with modern knowledge practices. The work or innovation of the nominee has positive impact and actual or anticipated benefit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and/or communities. This may include, but is not limited to, intellectual property ownership, royalties/commissions/other payments, community health and wealth-building, improved opportunities for educational and career advancement.

 The award is open to: 

• An individual, team (pair or small group), community, organisation (the ‘nominee’) who are Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• If the work is in collaboration as part of a respectful partnership with another, or non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, individual, team, community or organisation, then that collaborative partner may become a co-applicant. No more than one co-applicant is permitted.
• Who demonstrates excellence, innovation and impact in any STEM field where they have applied Traditional Knowledge in a modern innovation context.
• And demonstrates that they have advanced the understanding and awareness of Traditional Knowledge through modern innovation.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nominees are required to attest to the authenticity of the Traditional Knowledge, including, where possible, identifying the Peoples who are Traditional Custodians, and the moral and intellectual right of the individual, team community, or organisation to build on and apply the Traditional Knowledge.

One award is available per year to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individual, team (pair or small group), community, organisation, for up to one nominee who may or may not have a co-applicant. Co-applicants will be recognised as award winners but will not receive any medal or financial award. No individual, team, community, or organisation can receive more than one ATSE Award in any one year.