- The 2025 Premier's Science Awards is now open for applications and the WA Science Hall of Fame is open for nominations
- This year will see two new award categories, the Government Science Project of the Year and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist of the Year
- Winners to be announced at the awards ceremony later this year
Applications are now open for the 2025 Premier's Science Awards, this year boasting an increased prize pool of $140,000 and two brand new award categories.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist of the Year category is open for applications from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander scientists or researchers who demonstrate excellence in a field of science, scientific research, or technological advancement.
The Government Science Project of the Year category is set to recognise an outstanding scientific research project being conducted within the Western Australian government sector.
For the past 24 years, the awards have recognised the achievements of exceptional scientific research, education and engagement taking place in the State.
Nominations are also open for the WA Science Hall of Fame which acknowledges the lifelong contributions made by those in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in the State.
The 10 award categories for this year are:
- Scientist of the Year;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scientist of the Year;
- Mid-Career Scientist of the Year;
- Early Career Scientist of the Year;
- Student Scientist of the Year;
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander STEM Student of the Year;
- Government Science Project of the Year;
- STEM Educator of the Year - Schools (Primary or Secondary);
- STEM Educator of the Year - Tertiary (University or Registered Training Organisation); and
- Science Engagement Initiative of the Year.
The People's Choice Award, where the public vote for a single winner from all the finalists, will also return following its debut last year.
In 2024, John Curtin Distinguished Professor Sharon Parker and Professor Markus Schlaich were jointly honoured as the Scientists of the Year, reflecting their globally recognised research to improve work quality for our communities and therapies for improving hypertension, respectively.
Winthrop Professor Fiona Wood AO and Professor Peter Quinn were both inducted into the WA Science Hall of Fame last year for their extensive, lifelong contributions to burns treatment and cosmology, respectively.
The awards are proudly supported by gold sponsors BioCina, Shell and Woodside; silver sponsor DUG Technology; and bronze sponsors, CSIRO, Fogarty Foundation, Orthocell and Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre.
They are also supported by Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and The University of Western Australia; sector sponsor The Kids Research Institute Australia; community partners Scitech and the Western Australian Museum; and media partner The West Australian.
Applications for the 2025 Premier's Science Awards and nominations for the 2025 WA Science Hall of Fame close at 10am AWST, on Monday 28 July.
For more information and to apply see: www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/applications-open-2025-premiers-science-awards
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"The Premier's Science Awards continue to be a fantastic way our State thanks and acknowledges the amazing work done by our local scientists, STEM students and educators.
"The latest category additions to the Awards give us the chance to recognise both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander scientists and researchers, and those research projects being conducted within the WA Government.
"Award winners and finalists go on to become important ambassadors and role models for their field of work and are able to inspire future generations to take up courses and careers in STEM."
As stated by Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson:
"This year the Premier's Science Awards has grown with an increased prize pool and new categories created to acknowledge the excellent scientific research within the WA Government and celebrate the extraordinary science and research conducted byAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
"The Awards' esteemed panels of judges are eagerly awaiting to assess the first crop of nominations, so I encourage anyone who is eligible to send in their application soon for a chance to become a 2025 finalist."
