Te Puiaki Whakapā Pūtaiao The Science Communication Prize 

20 May 2025 – applications open

19 August 2025 – applications close

 

About this Prize

Once the applicants has read all the information below they can register in the portal

Forms

2025 Science Communication Application form

2025 Science Communication Referee Template

2025 Communication Prize Budget

 

Eligibility 

  • This Prize will be awarded to a practising scientist1 or non-scientist who can demonstrate an interest, passion and aptitude for science communication and public engagement of complex scientific or technological information to a diverse range of audiences.
  • The applicant must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand.
  • Re-application by candidates from previous years is encouraged, as long as the eligibility criteria continue to be met. However, past winners of this Prize are not eligible.

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

Criteria

The Prize will be judged on the applicant’s commitment and aptitude for science communication. Applicants should present an application that answers the following questions. (with cross references to an evidence portfolio):

  1. Approach to science communication, including how to identify appropriate means for engagement.
  2. Evidence of  recent successful science communication or engagement activities with a diverse range of audiences.
  3. How the applicant intends to further their role in science communication in the future.
  4. The proposed programme or developmental activity that would be undertaken if the applicant was successful.

Value

  • The total value of the Prize is  $75,000.
  • $55,000 of the Prize money is to be used to support the recipient to carry out a programme of activities/professional development to further their understanding of science communication.
  • $20,000 can be used at the winner’s discretion.

Selection panel

The 2025 expert panel members are:

Dr Tara Ross (Chair), Journalism Practice, Pacific Media, University of Canterbury

Claire Concannon, Journalist, Radio New Zealand

Jamie Morton,  Freelance journalist

Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu, University of Otago

Rebekah White, Freelance journalist

 

Panellists are appointed by the Pou Whakahaere Chief Executive of Royal Society Te Apārangi based on the recommendation of the panel Chairs and Secretariat. Appointments are made on a year-by-year basis for each calendar year. Panellists can be appointed for more than one year.  Panellists must be experienced in an appropriate field or community and may be drawn from outside New Zealand if necessary.

Panels will consist of established leaders and researchers in their field, their research and in their communities.  We will also aim to bring emerging people to panels to ensure diverse views and allow for the development of people and new talent.

In considering the suitability of potential panellists, the following requirements for panel composition is considered as appropriate:

  • Mix of discipline/expertise
  • Sector and institutional balance
  • Geographic representation
  • Ethnicity
  • Gender balance.

Royal Society Te Apārangi is committed to following best practice in being inclusive of diversity within our activities.

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 entrants, will not be disclosed.

Conflicts of Interest – 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 interest. In cases where an applicant is the colleague of a panellist, the Chair of the selection panel will rule if this conflict is significant enough for the panellist to be stood down from the panel for that entry. (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).

Referees

This Prize requires one referee who has a solid understanding of the applicant’s interest in science communication and can give expert, current opinion.

Navigating the portal

  • Everyone must register in the portal (this includes applicants, team members, referees, mentors etc). The only exception is if they have registered in the portal in previous years and therefore they can just log in.
  • The application form referee forms can only be downloaded from the portal also.
  • Everyone must first set up a profile which includes answering some compulsory questions. Some questions are optional. If a profile has been set up in previous years then it will not be required for the applicant to do this again although they may want to update.
  • The applicant will be prompted by the portal to name their referee and their email address. NB The referee will receive an email which has a unique link to the portal that they click on to give them access to the portal and download the referee form.  Please note that they will not receive the verification email until the application has been uploaded (this can remain in ‘draft form’). until all referee  has submitted their testimonial.
  • An application cannot be submitted until the referee has submitted their referee report.

Confidentiality

The Secretariat gives no undertaking to keep confidential any information that is provided in the application 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.

Please note that information submitted on the entry form may be subject to the Official Information Act.

Expectations

  • $55,000 of the Prize is to be used to support the recipient to carry out a programme of activities/professional development to further their understanding of media communication.
  • The Winner is expected to make themselves available for a day in January/February 2026 to meet with the Prime Minister’s Science Prize media liaison personnel in preparation of video, media material and photos.
  • The recipient may be required to undertake some lectures within New Zealand in 2026.

Announcement

  • The Winners will be announced in March/April  2026 (date to be confirmed) and the winner is expected to make themselves available.

Timeline

20 May 2025  –  Applications open

19 August 2025  –  Applications close

August/Sept  –   Online judging

October/November   –  Selection panel meetings take place

January 2026  – All applicants notified

 

Closing

  • The application process will close at midday on 19 August 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.

 

Need help?  Have other pātai questions?

Ko te Kaiwhakahaere the Secretariat for The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes is Royal Society Te Apārangi.  Contact details are:

Te Kaiwhakahaere the Secretariat
The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes
Royal Society Te Apārangi
PO Box 598
Wellington

Waea telephone: (04) 470 5762

Īmēra email:  pmscienceprizes@royalsociety.org.nz

 

 

 

Supported by the New Zealand Government with funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.  Nā Te Hīkina Whakatutuki te mana hāpai.