The 2026 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science - Science Prizes

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious and highly regarded awards for demonstrated achievements in:

• scientific research and research-based innovation
• the practice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems
• excellence in science teaching.

The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science will award up to $1.4 million each year for achievements across 3 prize categories:

• the Science Prizes
• the Science Teaching Prizes
• the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems Prize.

There are 5 science prizes for science and innovation:

• Prime Minister’s Prize for Science ($250,000)
• Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation ($250,000)
• Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year ($50,000)
• Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year ($50,000)
• Prize for New Innovators ($50,000).

Each prize recipient receives a medallion, lapel pin, prize money as described above and an award certificate. Where the prize is awarded to a team, each member will receive a medallion, lapel pin, award certificate and an equal portion of the prize money.

To be eligible for a Science Prize, a nominee must:

• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia (nominees currently living or studying overseas are not precluded from being nominated)
• not be self-nominated
• not be nominated in more than one prize category. Where a nominee is nominated in more than one category, the department will ask the nominee to select a single nomination to pursue.
• meet the specific eligibility criteria for the nominated prize.

Nominees do not need to be a member of a professional association or have received any prior award to be eligible.