The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious awards for demonstrated achievements in scientific research, research-based innovation, the practice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems, and excellence in science teaching.
Use this Content Hub to access resources, assets and information to promote the 2025 Prizes and encourage nominations for the 2026 Prizes.
Find out more about the Prizes, including previous recipients, at industry.gov.au/PMPrizes.
Content Hub
2025 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science
The 2025 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science were announced on Monday 3 November 2025.
This year marks an important milestone for the Prizes, with the Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems being awarded for the first time.
Prize recipients receive a medallion and prize money of A$50,000 or A$250,000.
Encourage your networks to celebrate this year’s recipients and share their stories!
2025 Recipients
Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems
Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools
Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
Prize for New Innovators
Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska
Queensland University of Technology, QLD
Prime Minister’s Prize for Science
Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska is a world-renowned expert in the study of air quality and its impact on human health and the environment.
Her research into ultrafine particles – tiny pollutants small enough to enter the bloodstream – has reshaped the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global air quality guidelines and improved how the world addresses air pollution and its impact on health and the environment.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Morawska’s leadership in demonstrating the importance of the virus spread through the air prompted WHO and health authorities worldwide to recognise airborne transmission of the virus and change control strategies to combat it, helping to save countless lives.
Her findings about how airborne particles behave in indoor settings has also helped improved air quality inside public buildings.
Dr Vikram Sharma
QuintessenceLabs, ACT
Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation
Dr Vikram Sharma is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of QuintessenceLabs, a world-leading quantum cyber security company. He is recognised for his pioneering work turning deep quantum science research into cyber security solutions that are used by companies around the world to protect information.
Customers include Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, global defence contractors and critical infrastructure providers. Today, the company employs world-leading quantum scientists, electronics specialists and software engineers, and plans to grow to 150 people within the next two years.
Dr Sharma has helped shape Australia’s quantum industry, contributed to national cyber security strategies and is inspiring other scientists to commercialise their research for the benefit of society.
Professor Michael Wear
Tidal Moon, WA
Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems
Malgana Traditional Custodian, Professor Michael Wear received the 2025 Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems.
The Malgana people of Shark Bay (Gutharraguda) in Western Australia have a deep connection to the ocean – Saltwater Country.
Professor Wear is committed to practising and preserving Aboriginal knowledges passed down by his ancestors.
Professor Wear founded Tidal Moon, Australia’s first and only Indigenous-owned and led sea cucumber fishery and marine restoration enterprise. He is also Australia’s first Professor of Practice in Indigenous Environmental Conservation at Murdoch University.
Professor Wear received the prize for developing a model that improves Indigenous livelihoods through the practice of Aboriginal knowledges for Sea Country conservation and sustainable commercial practices.
He has invested in developing the next generation and provided new business opportunities to bring young Malgana people back to country.
Under Professor Wear’s leadership, Tidal Moon is partnering with scientists on a world-first project to conserve and restore seagrass meadows around Shark Bay (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) following a devasting 2011–2012 heatwave.
Tidal Moon’s highly skilled Aboriginal divers play a leading role in environmental observation and seagrass restoration. They are sustainably harvesting healthy seagrass and replanting it in areas that have been damaged.
Professor Wear’s work exemplifies the importance of ongoing application of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems to Indigenous peoples, communities and place.
Mrs Paula Taylor
Academy of Future Skills (ACT Education Directorate), ACT
Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
Mrs Paula Taylor has worked to transform science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education for over 25 years. At the Academy of Future Skills, she creates innovative programs that ignite curiosity and build confidence in students of all abilities. She brings complex scientific concepts to life through problem-based learning, making STEM inclusive and accessible for thousands of students.
She is also passionate about supporting teachers to be exceptional STEM educators. She co-teaches with educators and models lessons that lead to unprecedented levels of student engagement and achievement.
In her time with the Academy, Mrs Taylor has worked with more than 10,000 students and 480 classroom teachers. Her dedication to teaching and mentoring is nurturing the next generation of students to take up STEM careers.
Mr Matt Dodds
Glen Innes High School, NSW
Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools
Mr Matt Dodds inspires students with his unwavering commitment to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. He is passionate about promoting STEM to students from a range of backgrounds, including those from rural areas and low-socioeconomic communities.
Mr Dodds takes a real-life approach to teach abstract concepts in practical ways and inspires students to pursue STEM careers through immersive learning experiences. His innovative methods have significantly increased the number of female students studying Physics at his school and the number of students pursuing higher education in STEM.
Mr Dodds also supports teachers in his school and across the country by sharing resources designed to excite students in STEM.
Dr David Khoury
Kirby Institute (UNSW Sydney), NSW
Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
Dr David Khoury is an exceptional interdisciplinary researcher who has pioneered statistical and modelling approaches to address critical questions in infection and immunity.
He has used applied mathematics to translate laboratory results and provide evidence-based predictions of clinical outcomes. This has guided drug development for malaria and vaccine policies for COVID-19 and mpox.
Dr Khoury’s expertise and innovative methods are regularly sought by industry, government and the World Health Organization (WHO). His discoveries have informed important real-world decisions to protect some of the world’s most vulnerable populations and contributed to saving thousands of lives around the world.
Professor Yao Zheng
The University of Adelaide, SA
Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
Professor Yao Zheng is developing new technology to produce green hydrogen directly from seawater.
While hydrogen is a clean fuel that could replace fossil fuels, most methods of hydrogen production via electrolysis require large volumes of purified water. Professor Zheng’s breakthrough eliminates the need for freshwater, using Australia’s abundant seawater as an alternative source.
This technology is protected by three patents and is now in pilot trials, with a view to being rolled out commercially. It holds immense potential for creating greener industries with clean hydrogen energy. This is important for the global transition toward clean energy and net zero.
Professor Zheng’s work has broken through major scientific and technical barriers, and he is helping shape Australia’s global reputation in clean energy.
Dr Nikhilesh Bappoo
VeinTech and Lubdub, WA
Prize for New Innovators
Dr Nikhilesh Bappoo is the co-founder of VeinTech and Lubdub, two medical technology (medtech) companies based in Western Australia.
At VeinTech, Dr Bappoo invented and led the development of novel ultrasound technology to help healthcare workers find the right vein. This improves the first-time success rate of cannulation, the most common invasive medical procedure in healthcare, but with a high rate of failure. This leads to better patient care, improves therapeutic efficiency and reduces costs for the healthcare system.
Lubdub is developing an affordable, accessible solution to detect and help prevent heart disease. Dr Bappoo and his co-founders designed a ‘heart health in a box’ to combine data from three critical heart function tests to provide patients with heart health monitoring without the need for travel or specialist visits.
2026 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science nominations
Nominating someone for the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science acknowledges their achievements and encourages them to continue to excel in their work.
Nominations for the 2026 Prizes are now open and will close on Thursday 18 December 2025.
Nominees are people who have made a meaningful contribution to science, innovation, the practice and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems and science teaching.
Encourage your organisation and networks to nominate inspiring people around them!
Learn more about the nomination process on business.gov.au:
- science and innovation prizes
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems prize
- science teaching prizes
Want to know more about how to nominate for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems?
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources will hold a webinar at 2:00pm AEDT on Tuesday 2 December 2025. The session will help you better understand the nomination process and how to prepare a strong nomination. Register to attend here.
Toolkits
Use these toolkits to help you encourage your network or community to nominate someone inspiring for the 2026 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science. The toolkits contain key messages, information on how to nominate, promotional materials including social media content, fact sheets and posters, as well as content for newsletters and websites.
Downloadable resources
About the 2026 Prizes nominations
Learn about the 2026 Prizes nominations process for the 5 Science Prizes (including 2 for innovation), the Knowledge Systems Prize and the 2 Science Teaching Prizes.
Ready-to-use assets
Download these resources and use them on your organisation’s channels, networks, and platforms to promote 2026 Prizes nominations.
Social media tiles to promote nominations
Website header graphic
Website header graphic (Prime Minister’s Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems)
Key spokespeople videos
Share these videos of endorsement to encourage people in your network to nominate someone inspiring in the 2026 Prizes.
Professor Tony Haymet, Australia’s Chief Scientist
“Just nominating someone can be a great acknowledgement of the importance of what they do.”
Professor Tom Calma AO
“This is an opportunity now to privilege Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems, and recognise them through the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.”
Dr Marguerite Evans-Galea
“When someone says something wonderful about the impact you’ve had on them, that’s really powerful.”
Mark Stickells AM
“We have some wonderful talent and inspiring people that we should promote and encourage. So don’t hesitate to put someone forward for recognition.”
Acknowledgement of Country
Porter Novelli acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respect to them, their culture and their elders, past and present.
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