Promoting Understanding of Science

The Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science is presented by Celestino.

  • Updated
    05/04/23
  • Read time
    6 minutes

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The Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science is awarded to an individual scientist who has shared their expertise with a broad audience - informing, enthusing and engaging the public.

Prize

$10,000

Assessment criteria

Entries should specifically address how the work entered meets the following assessment criteria.

  1. Originality (30%)

    Identify the mediums and methods employed and describe how they are breaking new ground in the communication of science.

  2. Scope (30%)

    Describe the breadth, diversity and depth of the public engaged.

  3. Impact and benefit (40%)

    Demonstrate the extent to which the communication activities have increased the Australian public’s understanding and appreciation of science.

Prize specific conditions of entry

This prize is only open to individual scientists working in organisations that include but are not limited to scientific research institutes, companies or universities.

Entries consisting of more than one individual are ineligible.

Activity entered for this prize must have been undertaken no more than two (2) years prior to the Entry Deadline.

For entrants whose work has been realised over a period longer than two (2) years due to one or more career interruptions, the two (2) year requirement will be extended by the length of the career interruption/s, up to a maximum of one (1) year. Entrants who have experienced eligible career interruption/s are still required to have undertaken communication activities within the past two (2) years.

For the purposes of this prize, a ‘career interruption’ is defined as a continuous absence from work for a period of more than one month. Career interruption details will be collected in the online entry form.

The following significant and not overlapping interruptions will be considered:

  • Pregnancy;
  • Major illness/injury;
  • Carer’s responsibilities;
  • Non-research employment not concurrent with research employment;
  • For First Nations entrants and nominees, community obligations including ‘sorry business’;
  • Disaster management and recovery;
  • Disruption due to international relocation (maximum three months per international location);
  • Other reasons set out in the online entry form in the AM’s absolute discretion.

The entrant must be a) an Australian citizen, b) an Australian permanent resident or c) a New Zealand citizen residing in Australia or its territories, at the time the activity entered was undertaken.

Activity entered for a Eureka Prize must have been undertaken in Australia or its territories, as defined by the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Terms and Conditions.

Category specific conditions of entry – all Science Engagement Eureka Prizes

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

A project that 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.

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

  1. Activity summary

    [2 pages (maximum); 2cm margins (minimum); Size 11 font (minimum)]

    A statement from the nominator or entrant that provides an overview of the STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or Medicine) communication activities over the previous two (2) years. The statement should include links to three examples that best demonstrate the communication activities. Judges will not consider additional examples. Key dates (month and year) must be included to demonstrate that the activity entered has been undertaken no more than two (2) years prior to the Entry Deadline.

  2. Response to assessment criteria

    [2 pages (maximum); 2cm margins (minimum); Size 11 font (minimum)]

    A statement by the nominator or entrant on how the activity addresses each of the assessment criterion.

  3. Assessor reports

    [Reports must be prepared using the template provided]

    Three (3) reports from assessors on how the activity 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.

    Download Assessor report template (.doc or .pdf format)

  4. Curriculum vitae (CV)

    [2 pages (maximum); 2cm margins (minimum); Size 11 font (minimum)]

    The CV of the entrant or nominee.

How to Enter

Entries to the 2023 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes closed at 7pm AEST Friday 14 April.

Contact the Eureka Prizes team