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Nominations for 2025 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science
Open until 17 December 2024
Nominate someone who deserves to be recognised
The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious and highly regarded science awards. They celebrate demonstrated achievements in scientific research, research-based innovation and excellence in science teaching.
The Prizes recognise the achievements and success of Australian scientists and innovators. They also recognise the benefits of their work to both Australia and the rest of the world.
2024 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science recipients have been announced and nominations for 2025 are now open.
Nominations close on Tuesday, 17 December 2024 at 5:00pm AEDT.
Nominating a scientist, innovator or teacher for the Prizes acknowledges their contribution to science, innovation and teaching.
Nominations can be made by peers across science, innovation, as well as science, technology and mathematics teaching communities.
This Content Hub provides important information to help you encourage nominations for the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.
Click and download shareable content such as nomination toolkits and inspiring stories about this year’s recipients.
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Toolkits
These downloadable toolkits are designed to help your organisation encourage nominations for the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science. They contain key information about nominations for the 2025 Prizes, and promotional materials that your organisation can distribute to staff, members and networks.
There are two toolkit options. The general toolkit supports promotion of the Prizes overall. The science teaching prizes toolkit supports promotion of the two science teaching prizes to help drive nominations for science, technology and mathematics teachers. Nominations that reflect the diversity of our community are especially encouraged.
Continue scrolling to download individual ready-to-use resources.
Downloadable resources
About nominations
Share these 7 key messages about the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, and use the more detailed information to inform your networks about the nomination process.
Click the link to view the download button and then either click ‘Download’ or right-click, ‘Save link as…”.
Ready-to-use assets
Share these promotional resources across your channels and networks to encourage nominations for the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.
Click the link to view the download button and then either click ‘Download’ or right-click, ‘Save link as…”.
If you would like additional support, please contact Ainsley Ramsbottom, Porter Novelli at [email protected]
2025 nominations advocates
Share these short videos featuring messages about the importance of nominating.
Play Video
Dr Cathy Foley AO – Australia’s Chief Scientist
“It’s really important to look around and see those people who inspire you and have done amazing things – and put their name forward.”
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Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea AM – science teacher nominator, including for 2 recipients
“I nominate teachers because they are so important to Australian science.”
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Mr Mark Stickells AM – ‘serial nominator’, including for 2 recipients of the 2024 Prizes
“We have some wonderful, wonderful talent, and inspiring people that we should promote and encourage – so don’t hesitate to put someone forward for recognition.”
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2024 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science recipients
“It’s quite stunning to realise that there are others who think of your work with enthusiasm.”
Professor Andrew Wilks – joint-recipient of the 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
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2024 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Excellence in Science Teaching recipients
“For me, this prize is about promoting the fantastic work that is happening in our schools. Teaching is the profession that creates all other professions.”
Ms Alice Leung – recipient of the 2024 Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools
2024 recipients
Share these short videos and stories featuring the 2024 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science recipients. By celebrating their inspiring stories and achievements you can help encourage nominations for the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.
Professor Matthew Bailes
Swinburne University of Technology, VIC
Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
Professor Matthew Bailes is an expert in astrophysics at Swinburne University of Technology and the director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav) based at Swinburne. He is recognised for his role in the discovery of the first fast radio burst (FRB), considered one of the great mysteries of the universe. The techniques used by Professor Bailes to explore the extreme nature of FRBs are now used by scientists to study some of the most powerful explosions in the universe.
Dr Chris Burns and Professor Andrew Wilks
Cytopia, VIC
Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
Professor Andrew F Wilks and Dr Chris Burns are recognised for inventing and commercialising a drug called momelotinib that is used to treat myelofibrosis, a rare form of blood cancer. Professor Wilks and Dr Burns invented momelotinib at Cytopia, an Australian biotechnology company founded by Professor Wilks. Momelotinib was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2023, a rare achievement for an all-Australian team. Dr Burns and Professor Wilks’ innovation demonstrates that it is possible for Australian academic life science research to be translated into medicines with global impacts.
Professor Britta Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg
Perth Children’s Hospital and University of Western Australia, WA
Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
Professor Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg is a consultant anaesthetist at the Perth Children’s Hospital and Chair of Paediatric Anaesthesia at The University of Western Australia. She is recognised for her life-changing research into reducing risks associated with anaesthesia for children, to make surgery and recovery safer. Professor Regli-von Ungern-Sternberg’s work has now been incorporated into international guidelines and has changed how anaesthesia for children is performed worldwide.
Distinguished Professor Tianyi Ma
RMIT University, VIC
Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
Distinguished Professor Tianyi Ma from RMIT University is recognised for research and technologies in renewable energy and improving the recycling of emissions from fossil fuels. His groundbreaking work could support Australia in its clean energy transition and path to net zero. Pilot projects are now underway in Australia to commercialise Professor Ma’s research and may revolutionise the way society generates and consumes energy.
Dr Andrew Horsley
Quantum Brilliance, ACT
Prize for New Innovators
Dr Andew Horsley is the co-founder of Quantum Brilliance, a company whose mission is to make quantum computing an everyday technology. Dr Horsley is recognised for his groundbreaking innovations towards making quantum computing an everyday technology, unlocking a range of potential new applications. for the field in Australia and abroad. His efforts promise a range of applications for quantum computing in areas such as the early detection of natural disasters like bushfires, waste management, manufacturing and robotics.
Ms Alice Leung
Concord High School, NSW
Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools
Ms Alice Leung from Concord High School is recognised for her creative teaching strategies to equip students from diverse backgrounds with STEM knowledge and skills for the future. She takes an innovative approach to teaching and draws upon real-life issues (e.g., ecology, food security and health) to teach abstract concepts in practical ways. Ms Leung also provides teachers in her school and nationwide with resources to excite students in STEM.
Mr Daniel Edwards
Montello Primary School, TAS
Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
Mr Daniel Edwards from Montello Primary School is recognised for creating unique opportunities for students of all abilities and backgrounds to overcome challenges, engage with STEM subjects and consider a career in science. He is also the founding CEO of GreenSTEM Education, Tasmania’s first STEM education-focused charity. The charity aims to provide equitable access to STEM education, especially for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.
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