Steps to apply
Step 1: Review categories and criteria
Take a look at the award categories, eligibility and selection criteria to find the right category fit for you or your team.
Step 2: Seek endorsement
Identify who needs to endorse your application and contact them early to confirm their support.
Step 3: Preparing your application
Complete the online application form, carefully address the selection criteria for the category you are applying for, and include your CV and written endorsement.
Step 4: Submit your application online
Take time to review your application, make sure you’ve included everything required, and submit it before the deadline.
Applications will re-open in March 2027.
Key information
Key dates
The SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards are celebrated annually. Refer to the below timeline to plan ahead for your application.
- Applications open: March
- Applications close: end April
- Finalists are announced: June
- Celebration Dinner to announce the winners: November
Application guidelines
Review the application guidelines for important information about award categories, eligibility, selection criteria, and application requirements – to help you prepare.
Conditions of entry
These conditions describe the eligibility requirements and general conditions of entering the Awards to help you make a credible application.
Frequently asked questions
Applications
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.
General questions
You are free to use the videos and photos to increase exposure of your work and achievements with research, industry, education and government stakeholders. However, the following restrictions apply:
These assets cannot be edited or amended in any way and are owned by the Department of State Development.
You must state that assets are from the SA Science Excellence and Innovation Awards or other.
Please use the hashtag #SAScienceAwards on social media platforms.
Winners and finalists' videos will be used for marketing and promotional activities by the Department of State Development.
The objectives of the South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards are to:
- celebrate the importance of excellence, collaboration, innovation and translation of work across STEMM fields for a healthy economy, environment and community
- recognise outstanding achievements by individuals and teams in STEMM research, innovation and education
- highlight the critical role that South Australia’s STEMM leaders across research, industry, and education are playing in a changing world to deliver solutions for health, environmental, and economic challenges of the future
- showcase the importance and diversity of STEMM professionals and careers for the current and future workforce
- recognise the contribution of Indigenous Knowledge Systems to STEMM research, innovation, education, and their transformative impact on communities and broader society.
For the 2026 Science Excellence and Innovation Awards program the key dates include:
Applications close 5pm Monday 27 April 2026
Judging will occur in May 2026
Finalists will be announced in June 2026
Filming of the finalist videos will commence from June 2026
Winners will be announced at the Awards Presentation in November 2026.
Rewards
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.
Judging and selection process
There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applications. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines to ensure they meet the conditions of entry and eligibility criteria before they start an application.
The judging panel comprises of key stakeholders from industry, research, government and education.
It should not be assumed that panel members have a technical level of understanding. Applications should clear and concise using plain English.