Sustainability Research
The Eureka Prize for Sustainability Research is presented by the University of Sydney Faculty of Science
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The University of Sydney Eureka Prize for Sustainability Research is awarded for research that has directly contributed to new or improved sustainability outcomes.
For the purposes of this prize, ‘sustainability’ follows the definition provided by the United Nations Brundtland Commission: “sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Entered activity must be in line with this definition.
Entries are encouraged from subject areas including, but not limited, to agriculture; water usage and sanitation; food security, sustainable consumption and production; clean and renewable energy; responsible building; climate action; oceans; and biodiversity.
Prize
$10,000
Assessment criteria
Entries must specifically address how the work entered meets the following assessment criteria::
Scientific rigour (30%)
Describe the investigative approach undertaken and identify the research methods employed, outlining the steps taken to ensure a robust and unbiased approach.
Originality and significance (30%)
- Describe the sustainability challenge or opportunity the research addresses.
- Detail how the research has directly led to new or improved sustainability outcomes in Australia and, where applicable, internationally.
Impact and benefit (40%)
Demonstrate the extent to which the research has led to the uptake or improvement of sustainable outcomes and describe why this is important for current and future generations.
Prize specific conditions of entry
Individuals and teams
The prize is open to individuals and teams, if the activity is the result of a collaborative team effort.
For team entries:
- Comprising of between two and six individuals, the first listed entrant must be the team leader. You must describe the contribution of each individual to the research and explain why the Eureka Prize should be jointly awarded to the listed individuals. This explanation must be included in the ‘research summary.’
- Comprising of more than six individuals, the listed entrant must be the team leader and they must enter under a team name. They are required to briefly describe the composition of the team and explain why the Eureka Prize should be jointly awarded to a team of more than six individuals. This explanation must be included in the ‘research summary.’
Citizenship
- For an individual entry, the entrant must be either an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident.
- For team entries comprising of between two and six individuals, the team leader must be either an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident. Members of the team do not have to fulfil this requirement.
- For team entries comprising of more than six individuals, the team leader must be either an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident. Members of the team do not have to fulfil this requirement.
Activity location
Activity entered for this prize must have taken place in or been led from Australia, as defined in the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Terms and Conditions.
Published article
Activity entered for this prize must have been published in at least one peer-reviewed article (i.e., published in a scientific journal or similar).
Timeframe
Activity entered for this prize must have been undertaken within five years of the Entry Deadline.
Category specific conditions of entry – Research & Innovation prizes
Entrants can either enter themselves or be nominated by another person. If an entrant is nominated it is important that they provide input to the documentation supporting their nomination.
The activity entered or nominated for this prize may not be entered or nominated for another Australian Museum Eureka Prize in the same year.
Activity that has been awarded an Australian Museum Eureka Prize in the past cannot be entered again.
In addition to the prize and category specific conditions of entry, all entrants need to comply with the General Terms and Conditions of Entry.
Entry Materials
Each entry must include the following information. All information provided will be used by the judging panel to assess the activity entered against the assessment criteria.
Research summary
Response to assessment criteria
[Response to assessment criteria must be prepared using the template provided. Two pages (maximum)].
A statement by the nominator or entrant on how the activity entered addresses each of the assessment criterion. Key dates (month and year) must be included to demonstrate that the activity entered has been undertaken no more than five years prior to the Entry Deadline.
Download assessment criteria template (.docx or .pdf format)
Assessor reports
[Reports must be prepared using the template provided. Two pages (maximum)].
Three statements from assessors on how the activity entered addresses each of the assessment criterion. Judges rely on assessor reports to provide an additional perspective and informed opinion on the activity entered, therefore assessors should not be personally or directly involved in it. Assessors should be selected from a variety of different organisations. Statements must be prepared using the template provided.
Published article
Include a copy of one published peer-reviewed article that relates most directly to the activity entered. Links to external sites will not be accepted. You must provide a brief statement explaining how the article relates to the activity, which will be collected in the online entry form.
How to enter
Entries to the 2024 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes closed at 7pm AEST on Friday 12 April.
