South Australian Science Excellence and Innovation Awards

Applications from individuals and teams with diverse backgrounds across South Australia are welcomed.

Objectives

• 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; and
  • showcase the importance and diversity of STEMM professionals and careers for the current and future workforce.

Award Categories

• South Australian Scientist of the Year
• South Australian Mid-Career STEMM Professional
• STEMM Educator of the Year: Primary or Secondary School
• STEMM Educator of the Year: University or Registered Training Organisation
• Excellence in Collaborative Innovation
• PhD Research Excellence

Prize Information

• Award recipients are publicly recognised and celebrated for their achievements. Each recipient or team receives a trophy designed by a local artist and a monetary award with a total value of:
  • $25,000 for the South Australian Scientist of the Year; and
  • $10,000 each for the South Australian Mid-Career STEMM Professional, STEMM Educator of the Year (two prizes), Excellence in Collaborative Innovation, and PhD Research Excellence Award.
• The monetary award for a team will usually be shared equally by all team members except for in exceptional circumstances and on a case-by-case basis.
• Recipients are expected to use award money for their work-related activities. This may include support for professional development activities related to growing leadership, management, or business skills, conference support including travel, support for publication outputs, and work-related expenses e.g. childcare, collaboration or innovation related expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

• South Australian Scientist of the Year:
  • Individuals from across academia, industry and government sectors are eligible to apply;
  • Applications must be based on achievement to date; and
  • The majority of the Applicant’s work or research in the last five years should have been undertaken in South Australia.
• South Australian Mid-Career STEMM Professional:
  • Individuals from academia, industry and government sectors are eligible to apply;
  • Applicants must have between 8-15 years of work experience in R&I focussed roles. Recognised career interruptions may be cited;
  • The applicant must not be undertaking a formal qualification at the time of applying (e.g. PhD or Masters); and
  • The majority of the applicants work or research in the last three years must have been undertaken in South Australia and the applicant should currently hold a role that is based in South Australia.
• STEMM Educator of the Year: Primary or Secondary School:
  • Individuals or teams of up to five members from either the private or public sectors are eligible to apply;
  • Applications are to be endorsed by the school Principal; and
  • All applicants should be active in teaching STEMM subjects in the classroom in South Australia at the time of their application.
• STEMM Educator of the Year: University or Registered Training Organisation:
  • Individuals or teams of up to five members are eligible to apply;
  • Applications are to be endorsed by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic (university) or Education Manager (registered training organisation); and
  • All applicants must be active in teaching STEMM subjects in South Australia at the time of their application.
• Excellence in Collaborative Innovation:
  • Teams of up to five members are eligible to apply. All individuals must meet the Conditions of Entry eligibility criteria;
  • The partnership should endeavour to include individuals from (but is not limited to) academia, industry, government, or other relevant organisations;
  • Most of the research and collaboration activities for which the application is covering should have been undertaken in South Australia; and
  • There is no fixed limitation on the length of time that has elapsed before the impact of the collaboration has been realised.
• PhD Research Excellence:
  • Applicants must have had their PhD conferred by a South Australian higher education provider;
  • Applicants must have received their conferral of a PhD degree and in a time period that is no more than twenty four months prior to the closure of applications for these awards; and
  • Applicants must include a statement of support from their primary supervisor or co-supervisor.

For more information, visit Department of State Development.