How to apply for 2026

As part of your application, we’ll ask some questions and then ask you to write two things: a 500-word summary and a three-page detailed report about your project.

We’d also like you to make a 3-minute video about your project.

You will need to choose a referee: an adult who knows you and can describe how you’ve thought about and worked on your project (like a teacher at your school or a judge of your regional Science Fair). They will need to complete a form about you and your project.

You also have the option of adding up to 10 pages of extra information (eg, graphs, photos, raw data, diagrams, or whatever else you decide might be useful to the group of experts who will be reviewing your project).

 

Dates and deadline

You can apply for this Prize between Wednesday 12 August and Wednesday 30 September 2026.

 

Instructions for the portal

  1. Go to https://Portal.pmscienceprizes.org.nz
  2. Register in the portal and then log in.
  3. Make a profile. This will include answering some questions.
  4. Upload your CV
  5. When you have made your profile go to ‘home’ and click on ‘Future Scientist Prize’, and ‘Apply’.
  6. Download the application form, and upload it when you have completed it.
  7. Add the name of your referee and their email address.
  8. You will be prompted to add the link to your video.
  9. The process is complete when both you and your referee have completed all documents and submitted.

 

Presentation

Describe your project in a video – no more than 3 minutes.

You could include:

  • Why did you choose your specific project?
  • What methods did you use, and what skills did you have to learn?
  • Did the project change how you think or work?
  • What parts of the project did you enjoy – and what didn’t you enjoy?
  • Who helped you and how?
  • What could be the next steps for this project?

Please upload the video presentation to Youtube, making it semi-private so only people who have the link can view it. Paste the link into your application in the portal.

 

Instructions for your referee

  • Your referee will receive an email inviting them to register in the portal.
  • They will have to make a profile by answering some compulsory questions.
  • They can download the referee form from the portal, and upload again once completed.

 

 

Need help? Have other questions?

The Secretariat for The Prime Minister’s Space Prizes is the Royal Society Te Apārangi.

For any questions, contact us at:

PO Box 598
Wellington
(04) 470 5762
pmspaceprizes@royalsociety.org.nz

 

Supported by the New Zealand Government with funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.