The NSW Premier's Prizes for Science & Engineering seek to recognise excellence in science and engineering, and reward leading researchers for cutting-edge work that has generated economic, environmental, health, social or technological benefits for New South Wales.
The Prizes replaced the NSW Science & Engineering Awards (held annually from 2008 - 2014) and reflect the NSW Government's strong commitment to the local research and development community.
The Prizes aim to raise community awareness and appreciation of the important contribution scientists and engineers make to our daily lives and encourage careers in both fields.
Nominations are now open for the 2025 NSW Premier's Prizes for Science and Engineering
Important Dates
9am AEST Monday 31 March 2025 – Nominations open
5pm AEST Monday 12 May 2025 – Nominations close
Please review the Guidelines before you complete your nomination.
Nomination form
NSW Premier’s Prize for Scientist of the Year
The 2024 NSW Scientist of the Year is Professor Helen Christensen, from UNSW Sydney
NSW Premier's Prizes Category Winners
The 2024 Premier's Prizes for Science & Engineering Category Winners
VIEW THE 2024 PREMIER'S PRIZES FOR SCIENCE & ENGINEERING COMMEMORATIVE BOOKLET
VIEW THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY
NSW Scientists of the Year
2023 – Emeritus Professor Trevor McDougall AC, UNSW Sydney
2022 – Professor Glenda Halliday AC, The University of Sydney
2021 – Professor Jim Patrick AO, Cochlear Limited and Macquarie University.
2020 – Professor Edward Holmes, The University of Sydney.
2019 – Scientia Professor Rose Amal AC, Leader of the Particle and Catalysis Research Group, UNSW Sydney.
2018 – Laureate Professor Nick Talley AC, Pro Vice Chancellor (Global Research) at the University of Newcastle.
2017 – Professor Gordon Wallace AO, Executive Research Director at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science and Director of the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute and the Australian National Fabrication Facility (Materials Node), both headquartered at the University of Wollongong.
2016 – Professor Rick Shine AM, ARC Laureate Fellow, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the University of Sydney.
2015 – Laureate Professor Scott Sloan AO, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Geotechnical Science and Engineering, University of Newcastle.
2014 – Laureate Professor Mark Westoby, Leader of the Genes to Geoscience Research Centre at Macquarie University.
2013 – Laureate Professor Graeme Jameson, ARC DORA Fellow and Director of the Centre for Multiphase Processes at the University of Newcastle.
2012 – Laureate Professor John Aitken, Pro Vice Chancellor and Director of the Priority Research Centre in Reproductive Science at the University of Newcastle.
2011 – Professor Michelle Simmons, Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, The University of New South Wales.
2010 – Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte, CEO of NICTA and former Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Systems and the Australian Centre for Field Robotics at The University of Sydney.
2009 – Professor Stephen Simpson, Federation Fellow in the School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney.
2008 – Professor Martin Green, Executive Research Director of the ARC Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence, The University of New South Wales.