Eureka Prizes

Scientific Research

The Eureka Prize for Scientific Research is sponsored by UNSW.

                                         

The UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research is awarded to an individual or team for outstanding curiosity-driven scientific research.

PRIZE

$10,000

PURPOSE

The UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research is awarded for outstanding curiosity-driven scientific research. UNSW is one of Australia's leading research-intensive universities, with world-class research programs focused on areas critical to the future – from climate change and renewable energies to life-saving medical treatments and breakthrough technologies.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Entries should specifically address how the work entered meets the following judging criteria:

  1. Originality of research
  2. Employment of a conceptual or investigative approach not normally used in the field of research
  3. Rigour of the research program
  4. The probability that the contribution will lead to a significantly new investigative approach to problem solving in the field of research.

PRIZE SPECIFIC CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

The prize is open to individuals and teams.

Activity entered for this prize must have been undertaken no more than five (5) years prior to the closing date of entries.

Activity entered for this prize must have been published in one or more internationally respected, externally-refereed scientific journal(s), book(s) or equivalent electronic publication(s).

GENERAL CONDITIONS OF ENTRY - RESEARCH & INNOVATION PRIZES

Entrants can either enter themselves or be nominated by others. If an entrant is nominated it is important they have the opportunity to provide input to the documentation in support of their nomination.

Activity entered for this prize must have been undertaken in Australia or its territories (as defined by the Australian Government).

For a team entry, the team leader must be either a) an Australian citizen, b) an Australian permanent resident, or c) a New Zealand citizen who was resident in Australia, at the time the research entered was undertaken. Members of the team do not have to fulfil these requirements, however, they must have resided predominantly in Australia at the time the activity entered was undertaken. For an entry that is not a team, all entrants must be a) Australian citizens, b) Australian permanent residents or c) New Zealand citizens residing in Australia, at the time the activity entered was undertaken. 

To be eligible, entries must contain at least one (1) Assessor report. Assessor reports should be signed and dated by the assessor (electronic signature is acceptable), and include name, position and contact details of the assessor (a letterhead including these details is sufficient). NOTE: Judges rely on Assessor reports to provide additional perspective and informed opinion on entries. Therefore, Assessors should not be personally or directly involved in the activity entered in this prize.

Entry forms must be submitted online and include one attachment containing all supporting documentation by 7pm AEST Friday 5 May 2017. Any entries received after 7pm AEST Friday 5 May 2017 will not be considered. Entries with incomplete sets of supporting documentation, as per the 'How to Enter' section, will not be considered. Submitted material will not be returned. Hard-copy applications will not be considered.

The activity entered/nominated for this prize may not be entered/nominated for another Australian Museum Eureka Prize in the same year.

A project which has been awarded an Australian Museum Eureka Prize in the past cannot be entered again. Non-winning finalist activity is eligible for re-entry, so long as it meets all other conditions of entry.

The deliberations of the judging panel remain confidential. All recommendations and decisions taken are binding and final and no correspondence will be entered into on such matters.

The judges reserve the right not to award the prize if, in their view, the quality of entries is insufficiently meritorious.

Finalists will be asked to provide photos and a film outlining the work nominated for promotional purposes.

Information provided by the entrant(s) in relation to the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes (including photos and films), may be used by the Australian Museum and/or UNSW for promotional/publicity purposes. This may include, and is not restricted to, the information being used on websites, social media, printed material, advertisements, press releases etc. Entrants may also be asked to be involved in additional promotional activities.

Personal information provided to the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes can be used by the Australian Museum and UNSW, however such use will only be in connection with the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.

No entries will be received or considered after the close of entries. If you experience issues in uploading your entry or have concerns about what has been uploaded, you must contact the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes on (02) 9320 6230 or eureka@austmus.gov.au before the close of entries. The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes cannot modify or add to an entry (including Assessor reports) after the close of entries.

Failure to meet all conditions of entry will automatically disqualify an entry.

HOW TO ENTER

1 Prepare a single document [Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format] containing the following information: 

a. Research summary: a brief description of the research entered, including objectives and results to date (two page maximum)

b. Judging criteria: a brief description of how the entrant's activity addresses each of the judging criteria (two page maximum)

c. CV: curriculum vitae of entrant(s) (maximum two pages per CV)

d. Assessor reports: a minimum of one (1) and a maximum of four (4) written reports addressing each of the judging criteria from assessors who are familiar with the entered research (two page maximum per report) 

e. Publication: include a copy of one article about the research published in an internationally respected, externally-refereed scientific journal, book or equivalent electronic publication.

NOTE: Entries with incomplete sets of supporting information will not be considered and judges will only consider what has been provided within the parameters (e.g. two page maximum for each).

2 Submit an online entry form including uploading your supporting document by 7pm AEST Friday 5 May 2017.

When you have successfully uploaded your entry you will receive confirmation via email. If you do not receive confirmation, or if you require further information or assistance, contact the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes on (02) 9320 6230 or email eureka@austmus.gov.au.