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Funding callEngineering and technology · Australia

2027 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science – Stage 1 nominations

The 2027 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science recognise Australian scientists, innovators and science teachers, with A$250,000 each for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science and for Innovation and A$50,000 for the Malcolm McIntosh Prize. This guide covers areas consistent with the prizes, eligibility and readiness checks, what selection committees typically value and how to prepare a Stage 1 nomination before the 7 January 2027 deadline.

Pubrica InsightsEditorial team, reviewed by a subject specialist
Next deadline
7 January 2027
Last checked
10 November 2026
Funder
Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Sources
1
Apply through the official call

Key dates

Application deadline
7 January 2027
Details last checked
10 November 2026
Apply through the official call

About the call

Funder
Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Country
Australia
Scheme type
Prize
Funding
A$250,000 each for the Prime Minister's Prize for Science and for Innovation; A$50,000 for the Malcolm McIntosh Prize
Eligibility
Nominations of Australian scientists, innovators and science teachers for national prizes; shortlisted nominees complete Stage 2 in April–May 2027.
Scope
Engineering and technology

Topics consistent with the call

  • Outstanding scientific discoveries with significant benefit to Australia
  • Innovation that translates research into commercial or societal impact
  • Early and mid-career achievement in the physical and life sciences
  • Excellence in science teaching in primary and secondary schools
  • Engineering and technology advances arising from scientific research

Based on the published scope; the official page sets out the full themes and requirements.

Is your work a fit? Check before you apply

  1. Identify the prize category that best matches the nominee’s achievements.
  2. Confirm nominee and nominator eligibility in the official prize guidelines.
  3. Gather clear evidence of achievement and impact for the Stage 1 nomination.
  4. Note that shortlisted nominees complete Stage 2 in April–May 2027.
  5. Submit a complete, institutionally approved nomination before 7 January 2027.

Why This Funding Call Matters

National prizes draw public attention to the contributions that science, innovation and teaching make to society and the economy. The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science recognise individuals and teams whose work has had significant impact, and they provide substantial awards. A nomination also highlights the achievements of colleagues and institutions, and the two-stage process allows nominators to begin with a Stage 1 submission before shortlisted nominees provide fuller detail.

Who Should Apply

Academic backgrounds

  • Physical and life sciences
  • Engineering and technology
  • Innovation and commercialisation
  • Science education
  • Medical and health research

Institutions and sectors

  • Universities and research institutes
  • Industry and technology companies
  • Schools

What Reviewers Typically Value

  1. Achievements with clear and demonstrable impact.
  2. Evidence that work has advanced its field or created new opportunities.
  3. Leadership and contribution to the wider scientific community.
  4. For teachers, evidence of improved student engagement and learning in science.

Ideas You Could Develop

Research leading to new technologyA nomination for a researcher whose discoveries led to a technology now used in industry or health care.
Early-career scientific achievementA nomination for an early-career scientist who has made an important contribution to their field.
Inspiring science teachingA nomination for a teacher whose programme has increased student participation in science.

Your Plan to the Deadline

A suggested schedule working back from 7 January 2027. Adjust it to the stage your work has reached.

  1. By 12 Nov 2026

    Read the call documents; confirm eligibility, budget limits, assessment criteria and institutional requirements.

  2. By 26 Nov 2026

    Agree the research question, aims, team and partners; contact your research office.

  3. By 10 Dec 2026

    Draft the case for support, methods, impact and budget.

  4. By 24 Dec 2026

    Obtain internal review, letters of support and institutional sign-off.

  5. By 2 Jan 2027

    Final checks against the funder’s guidance and formatting rules.

  6. By 7 Jan 2027

    Submit through the funder’s system before the deadline.

What you gain

  • Funding for the research, team and resources it needs.
  • Recognition from a competitive, peer-reviewed process.
  • Reviewer feedback that strengthens future applications.
  • A track record for larger grants and fellowships.

What happens after you apply

  1. Eligibility check: the funder confirms the application meets the call rules.
  2. Peer review: external reviewers assess the proposal against the published criteria.
  3. Panel: a committee ranks proposals; some schemes include an interview.
  4. Decision: outcomes are released on the funder’s timetable.
  5. Award: successful applicants agree terms and reporting requirements before starting.

What the Funder Are Looking For

The prizes seek nominations of Australian scientists, innovators and science teachers whose achievements have made significant contributions. Strong Stage 1 nominations typically show clear evidence of achievement and impact and match the purpose of the chosen prize. Shortlisted nominees then complete Stage 2 in April–May 2027. Categories, eligibility and nomination requirements should be confirmed on the Department of Industry, Science and Resources website.

Read the official pageThis guide summarises the opportunity. Confirm deadlines, eligibility and requirements on the official page before you plan your work, and record the date you checked it.Open the official page

Expert help

How Pubrica Can Help

Pubrica’s subject specialists can help you prepare a competitive proposal, planned back from the deadline. You remain the author of your work.

Grant writingProposal writing structured to the funder’s guidance and assessment criteria. Literature review and gap analysisThe evidence base and the gap your proposal addresses. Study designStudy design and methods that reviewers can assess. Statistical analysis planSample size and analysis plans for the proposal. Data management planData management and sharing plans to funder requirements. Proposal editingEditing of the full proposal for clarity and consistency.
Go to the official page

FAQs

Questions Researchers Ask

The next published deadline is 7 January 2027. Dates can change, so confirm them on the official page before you plan your work.

Some prize categories may allow team nominations while others are for individuals. Check the eligibility rules for each category in the official guidelines on the Department of Industry, Science and Resources website.

Nominations of Australian scientists, innovators and science teachers for national prizes; shortlisted nominees complete Stage 2 in April–May 2027. Confirm the full eligibility rules in the call documents.

Yes. Pubrica’s specialists can review, write, edit and format your proposal. You remain the author and the person responsible for the submission.

Sources

  1. Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources. (2026). 2027 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science – Stage 1 nominations. Retrieved 10 November 2026, from https://www.industry.gov.au/news/nominations-open-2027-prime-ministers-prizes-science

How to cite this page

Pubrica Insights. (2026). 2027 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science – Stage 1 nominations. Pubrica. https://pubrica.com/insights/calls-and-conferences/2027-prime-minister-s-prizes-for-science-stage-1-nominations/

  • Prime Minister’s Prizes
  • Science awards
  • Innovation
  • Science teaching
  • Australia

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2027 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science – Stage 1 nominationsNext deadline 7 January 2027

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