Prizes for projects that practice or preserve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems Prize honours Indigenous-led projects that benefit communities and solve significant challenges.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are an ongoing element of the Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program. 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.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious and highly regarded awards for achievements in scientific research and research-based innovation, the practice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems and excellence in science teaching.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science celebrate Australian scientists and innovators, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who practice knowledge systems, and science teachers who are inspiring students to pursue science education and careers.

To be eligible for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems Prize, a nominee must:

• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia
• be:
  • an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; or
  • members of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander-led team (including family groups); or
  • representatives of a community group.
• not be self-nominated
• not have a concurrent nomination in the 2025 Science Prizes or the Science Teaching Prizes
• practice knowledge systems as part of a project with a demonstrable benefit to Australian Indigenous peoples, communities and/or place and to Australia more broadly.

The full eligibility criteria are available in the guidelines.

How do you nominate someone?

A prize nomination must be proposed by someone (a nominator) with knowledge of the nominee’s achievements and endorsed by two supporters. Nominators for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems Prize must provide two independent referees. The nominator must contact independent referees to gain their commitment to provide a referee report on the template provided by the Department before submitting their details.

Prior to submitting a nomination you should read and understand the Prize Minister’s Prizes for Science – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems Prizes guidelines.

You should also ensure the nominee is willing to be nominated, will provide the evidence necessary to support the nomination, and understands the obligations that come with the prize.

The nomination process involves 2 stages.

Stage 1: The nominator provides a summary of the nominee’s achievement against the assessment criteria for the prize.

To prepare a stage 1 nomination:

• Make sure your nominee is willing to be nominated.
• Ask them for a copy of their CV (2 page maximum) or the nominator must provide a written statement describing the nominee's background and experience.
• Identify two supporters and an additional supporter for the sole purpose of confirming the nominee’s Indigeneity (if required).
• Identify two independent referees (the nominator must contact independent referees to gain their commitment to provide a referee report on the template provided by the Department before submitting their details).

Stage 2: If a nominee has been shortlisted we invite the nominator and two supporters to prepare a more detailed submission addressing the relevant assessment criteria. If required, the additional supporter confirming Indigeneity will be invited to provide statement.

We refer the nominator and supporters’ Stage 2 statements to the independent referees with relevant expertise to seek their professional opinions on the claims made in the nomination.

The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science is part of the Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Program. This aims to:

• increase Australian community engagement with the sciences, through activities and events
• increase positive public sentiment and awareness of the contribution and achievements of Australian scientists and innovators
• improve communication between Australian scientists, the general public, businesses and government
• enhance focus on building skills and capability in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and digital literacy, in Australian schools and communities
• increase engagement and participation in groups under-represented in STEM.