The prizes are Australia’s leading and most comprehensive national science awards.
Entries for the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are open until Thursday 16 April 2026.
The prestigious awards recognise excellence in research and innovation, leadership, science engagement and school science. They are open to scientists and science communicators working across a broad spectrum of disciplines and at all career stages.
This year, 19 prizes are open to both individuals and teams.
UNSW had seven finalists and three winners at the 2025 prizes.
Dr Hasindu Gamaarachchi from the School of Computer Science and Engineering won the Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher. Dr Aaron Eger from the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES) won the Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science. The Living Seawalls project, which included Scientia Associate Professor Mariana Mayer Pinto from the School of BEES, won the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Eureka Prize for Environmental Research.
A/Prof. Mayer Pinto said, “The Eureka Prize is extremely important to us as it is the recognition of our peers and evidence that robust science can be translated into action and positive change.
“The prize is also recognition for the immense effort that goes on behind the project, including chasing permissions, engaging with communities and doing fieldwork under rain or sunshine, as well as the invaluable contribution of many people.”
Celebrating societal impact through collaborative science
The Eureka Prizes closely align with UNSW’s commitment to research excellence and societal impact.
The University sponsors the $10,000 UNSW Eureka Prize for Societal Impact in Science. This prize celebrates the advances that can come from collaborative science and the impact research can have in addressing societal challenges. It recognises individuals or teams who have transformed their scientific research into practical solutions to societal challenges through collaboration with industry, government or not-for-profit partners.
Why enter?
The Eureka Prizes are an opportunity to gain national recognition for your research and share your impact with a broader audience of peers, industry leaders and the public.
Entry is free, and there is a prize pool of $190,000 to be shared between the winners.
How to enter
Entrants can nominate themselves or be nominated by others via an online entry form.
To enter:
- review the prize information for your category
- register for an account
- submit the online entry form, including entry materials listed in the award category criteria, by 7pm AEST Thursday 16 April 2026. Late entries will not be accepted.
Finalists will be announced on Wednesday 29 July, and the awards ceremony will be held on Thursday 3 September.
Find out more and enter the Eureka Prizes.
Image: Living seawalls on Sydney Harbour.
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