Temporary outage of portal 17.08.2026

Our portal is currently unavailable due to a server that unexpectedly went offline over the weekend. We want to reassure everyone that this is not the result of a cyberattack or security breach, and no data has been lost or compromised.

Our team is actively working to restore service, and we expect the portal to be back online soon.

In the meantime, please direct any enquiries or issues to pmscienceprizes@royalsociety.org.nz.

We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience while we resolve the issue.

About the prize 2026

This Prize is for a transformative scientific advance with significant and demonstrable economic, health, social, or environmental benefits in New Zealand or internationally.

Science is defined broadly – to include the systematic creation of knowledge through observation, experimentation, and analysis within the fields of natural, physical, mathematical, information, applied, engineering, technological, health and social sciences, as well as multidisciplinary research.

Value

  • $500,000 comprising:
    • $100,000 as unrestricted award
    • $400,000 for ongoing research or development.

Eligibility

  • The individual or a representative of the research team must be a permanent resident or citizen of New Zealand.
  • Most of the research under consideration must have taken place in New Zealand.

 

Criteria

Our panel of experts will assess the evidence that a transformative scientific discovery or achievement by this individual or research team has led to significant and demonstrable economic, health, social, or environmental benefits in New Zealand or internationally:

This may be evidenced by:

  • successful development and deployment of new or improved research methods, products, processes, or services (including public services)
  • major changes to practice in an important professional community or an industrial, business, infrastructural, or service sector, at least at a national level.
  • major changes in relevant public policy or government investment or operational strategy (for example, in health, social policy, environmental protection, conservation, or emergency management.
  • significant advances in the development of application of knowledge systems, including Mātauranga Māori, that have strengthened research, enabled effective translation, or improved the effectiveness of science, innovation, and technology
  • significant and sustained capital investment by industry, technology-transfer partners, or end-users, licensing of intellectual property, and/or formation of spin-out or start-up companies
  • a high level of recognition through peer-review processes, for example through international awards or publications in leading journals.

Applications must include statements from at least three internationally credible referees and a proposal for investment of the Prize money for ongoing teaching.

 

Potential conflicts of interest

The Society will consult with the Chair of the Panel to manage and avoid any potential conflicts appropriately (eg, by recommending that a particular expert does not score or discuss a specific candidate). In the case of a potential conflict of interest with the Chair, the Chief Executive of the Society will manage the decision.

All applicants, referees, and their supporters must agree not to contact any of our Panel Members during the assessment process – and vice versa.

 

Confidentiality

The panel of experts will interview a shortlist of applicants for the Prize, based on initial scores, but the Society will not publish or disclose the applications, or any information on ranking, shortlisted applicants, or unsuccessful entrants. Experts on the panel will also maintain confidentiality about the applications, and their assessments and recommendations.

 

Decision-Making

After reviewing the applications and completing the online interviews, the panel of experts will discuss and agree on a recommendation for the relevant Minister. The Society will advise the Minister of this recommendation, along with information on the ranking of shortlisted applicants.

 

Announcement of winners

The Society will contact the winner confidentially about the Minister’s decision in advance of the public announcement and prizegiving ceremony.

 

How to apply

See how to apply for the Science Prize Te Puiaki  Pūtaiao Matua a te Pirimia

 

 

 

Need help? Have other questions?

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

For any questions, contact us at:

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

 

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