The
Prime
Minister’s
Science
Prizes

The Prize is open to all post graduates undertaking science or technology research for a PhD in New Zealand or graduates within 5 years of having completed their PhD in New Zealand.

In this context, science and technology are taken to encompass the physical, chemical, biological, social and technological sciences, mathematics and engineering.

The Nominee must be either a New Zealand citizen or a New Zealand permanent resident.

In the second and subsequent years of this Prize, no person who has already received this Prize should be nominated again.  However, re-nomination of another year’s nominees is encouraged as long as the Nominee continues to satisfy the eligibility criteria.

Stage One

• The research science and technology is ground-breaking, leading edge science.
• The research is likely to create an internationally regarded position for New Zealand.
• The research design and approach are clear and appropriate to your research questions.
• The research is likely to result in the generation of valuable new knowledge.

Stage Two

Poster - Communication of research to target audience of secondary school students using a poster

• Does the poster clearly communicate one or more key messages? (5 marks)
• Is the poster in a format which helps to tell the story in a logical, succinct way that helps the reader to understand what is being presented? (5 marks)
• Is the research presented in a way that tells its story well using clear simple language free from jargon? (5 marks)
• Have imaginative graphics been used that complement the story and help to excite the audience? (5 marks)

Other communication entry

• Are key messages clearly communicated (5 marks)
• Is the research presented in a way that tells its story well using clear simple language free of jargon (5 marks)
• Is the information well organised into a logical structure that helps the audience understand the context? (5 marks)
• Have innovative techniques been employed to attract and stimulate the audience  (5 marks)

Stage Three

• Demonstrates a high level of expertise in their field (40 marks)
• Communicates their research clearly and concisely  (40 marks)
• Evidence of leadership qualities, maturity and self-confidence (40 marks)

Stage One: Research summary and entry details
Deadline: 30 April 2010

The first step is to complete the on-line entry form. This asks for your name, organisation, research title and contact details. It will be available for uploading information from 26 March 2010.

Upload a summary of your research written for an academic audience. This summary is used to assess the scientific merit of your research and, in particular, whether it is likely to result in the generation of new, potentially leading-edge knowledge.

• Provide details of your research question(s), methodology and conclusions. You must have some results, so if your research is at an early stage, please enter in a later year.
• If you are working as part of a research team, you need to make it clear how your research contributes to the team’s objectives.
• References are not required.
• You may include diagrams or pictures to help explain your research. Please keep the number of these small as this is a summary not a full dissertation.

Upload your Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages) including information on published papers, patents or patents pending, and any other measures of professional achievement that you have gained.

Post your signed Declaration of Assurance and signed Declaration of Authorisation to:

Secretariat
The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes
PO Box 90-040
Auckland 1142

Stage Two: Preparation of posters and communications
Deadline 3rd August 2010.

If you are successful at Stage One you will be invited to submit a poster and either a short essay, story or video clip. These will demonstrate your ability to successfully communicate your research to a secondary school age audience.

• Please ensure that you have permission to use any images that might infringe copyright laws.
• Any assistance you receive with your entry must be acknowledged on the entry.
• Posters must be in PDF format and must be able to be printed as A1 (594mm x 840mm) - these will be uploaded onto a competition web page using a link sent to successful entrants.
• If you submit a short essay/story this must be a WORD or PDF document and will be uploaded in the same way. References are not required and one picture or diagram is permitted.
• If you submit a video clip these must be able to be played in Windows Media Player.

Stage Three: Final judging

Following Stage Two, your Stage One (60 per cent) and Stage Two (40 per cent) scores will be combined. If you are one of the best entrants, you will be invited to present your research to the judging panel.

You must prepare a 10-minute presentation, which clearly explains your research, and be prepared to answer questions on your research.

The Secretariat will arrange your travel to Wellington for the judging day but you will need to be in New Zealand between the 1st and the 17th September.

The Secretariat gives no undertaking to keep confidential any information that is provided in the nomination form unless this is identified as information that should be treated as such. It may, for example, be used to prepare promotional material for the prize in future years.

The Prime Minister’s decision to present the Prize will have regard to the advice of the Judging Panel.

It is recognised that on occasion members of the Judging Panel will know applicants, or have other conflicts of interest. They will be expected to declare all conflicts of interest when these situations arise. In the case of knowing an applicant, the Chair of the Judging Panel will rule if this is significant enough for the judge to be stood down from the committee for that applicant. (In the case of the Chair having a conflict of interest the decision will be made by another member of the Panel who has been identified in this role at the beginning of the process). If there is a conflict of interest the judge will stand down for that application.

The Judging Panel will not enter into any correspondence concerning its deliberations. All inquiries should be directed to the Secretariat. The Secretariat will not disclose information on matters such as ranking, or names of nominees.

The Secretariat for The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes is the Royal Society of New Zealand.

Secretariat
The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes
PO Box 90-040
Auckland 1142

Phone: (09) 360 1240
Fax: (09) 360-1242
Email: pmscienceprizes@tcc.co.nz