• The Prize will be awarded to either a practising scientist¹ who can demonstrate an interest, passion and aptitude for science communication and public engagement, or to a person who has developed expertise in public engagement with, or communication of complex scientific or technological information to the public using recent examples e.g. public audiences, local science community/wider and international science community.

• Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident.

• Re-application by candidates from previous years is encouraged, as long as the eligibility criteria continue to be met. However, past winners of the Prize will not be eligible to enter a second time.

¹Taken to include natural, physical, mathematical and information sciences, applied sciences, technology, engineering, social science and multi-disciplinary science

• All entries must be completed and received by 5pm on Wednesday 20 September 2017.

• The process will involve interested applicant’s completing an online entry form.

• Applicant’s will also need one current Supporter who must be knowledgeable about the applicant’s communication activities and is able to comment on their effectiveness.

• The Supporter will be expected to complete an on-line form which asks them to address the selection criteria. A link will be emailed to the supporter after the entry section has been completed.

Please note that information provided in the nomination may be subject to the Official Information Act.

• An independent selection panel is selected by the secretariat and the Prime Minister’s decision to present the Prize will have regard to the advice of the selection panel.

Prime Minister’s Science Communicators Prize Panel Members             

• It is recognised that occasionally members of the selection panel will know applicants or have other conflicts of interest. They will be expected to declare all such knowledge and conflicts of interests. In the case of knowing an applicant the Chair of the selection panel will rule if this is significant enough for the panelist to be stood down from the Panel 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 panelist will stand down for that application.

• The selection panel will not enter into any correspondence concerning its deliberations. All inquiries should be directed to the Secretariat. Note that information on matters such as ranking, or names of unsuccessful nominees, will not be disclosed.

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

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

• 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 Science Communication Prize is worth $100,000 to the recipient.

• $50,000 of the Prize is to be used to support the recipient to carry out a programme of activities to further their understanding of science communication.

• $50,000 of the Prize money is available to the recipient with no expectations on its use.

• The recipient of the Prize would be expected to be involved in promotional opportunities appropriate to receiving The Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize.

• You are a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident.

• You are a practising scientist¹ who can demonstrate an interest, passion and aptitude for science communication and public engagement or a person who has developed expertise in public engagement with, or communication of complex scientific or technological information to the public.

• You have nominated a Supporter who has a solid understanding of your interest in communication and is able to give expert, current opinion. Check that they have sent in their document by closing date.

• You have completed the online entrant questions.

• You have uploaded a CV and an evidence portfolio.

• Entries close at 5pm on Wednesday 20 September.

¹Taken to include natural, physical, mathematical and information sciences, applied sciences, technology, engineering, social science and multi-disciplinary science