How to apply

The Awards are open to applicants who can demonstrate STEMM leadership, innovation and scientific contribution in the fields of education, research, industry or community.

Depending on the category, you may apply as an individual or a team of up to five (5) members.

No. Applicants must have received their conferral of a PhD degree no more than 24 months prior to the awards application deadline.

No. It is common for PhD graduates to gain employment overseas after completing their PhD.

An applicant's PhD must be conferred by a South Australian higher education provider.

If the applicant has undertaken a PhD directly following the completion of undergraduate qualifications, the time spent undertaking the PhD will not be counted towards their Research and Innovation (R&I) work experience.

If the applicant worked in R&I roles, then undertook a PhD while employed part-time in an R&I role, the time spent undertaking the PhD will count towards their R&I work experience.

If the applicant has worked in R&I roles, then paused employment to undertake a PhD and subsequently returned to work in R&I roles, the time spent undertaking the PhD will not be counted towards their R&I work experience.

In the latter two cases, the time spent pre/post PhD in R&I roles will count towards the combined R&I work experience.

Individuals and teams with a background in mathematics will be eligible to apply. All applicants must read the eligibility criteria, conditions of entry and the guidelines before they start an application.

Only teams may apply for this Award. Teams of up to five (5) members are eligible to apply.

Most members of the team should be Australian citizens or residents. If there are international members on the team, please provide information about their role and reason for not being a citizen or resident (i.e. an international collaborator/contractor, a recent graduate applying for residency etc).

Yes, a team that includes a previous individual award winner is eligible to apply for a team award in the same or similar category.

Team award winners are also eligible to apply for individual awards in the same or similar category.

However, winners of both individual and team awards in the same or similar category are not eligible to apply in that category again.

Industry applicants must obtain endorsement from their employer (CEO or chairperson) to be eligible for the SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards. Further eligibility criteria and conditions of entry are available in the guidelines.

You can include any evidence that addresses the criteria.

The Department of State Development will transfer monies to the winner’s nominated bank account.

We recommend you seek independent advice from your financial adviser.

Professional development activities may contribute to the ongoing development of the individual or team. Examples may include leadership development courses, attending conferences beyond their field of research to broaden their understanding or collaboration opportunities or skills development in areas that could complement their current skills.

Award recipients and finalists may be asked to undertake local public events or activities in the year following their award, such as National Science Week, present addresses at official events, participate in judging panels or information sessions to promote the Awards.

Winners may also be invited to the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science Gala event at the discretion of the Commonwealth Government.