Eureka Prizes


The Eureka Prizes are awarded annually by the Australian Museum, Sydney, to recognise individuals and organisations who have contributed to science and the understanding of science in Australia. They were founded in 1990 following a suggestion by science journalist Robyn Williams.
As of 2024, there are 19 prizes awarded across four categories and a total of $ in prize money. The four categories are Research and Innovation, School Science, Science Engagement and Leadership.

Winners

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

List of winners:
  • NSW Office of Environment and Heritage - Eureka Prize for Environmental Research
  • * A global standard for environmental threats from coral reef to desert dunes
  • * Professor David Keith and the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Team, UNSW
  • UNSW - Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research
  • * World's smallest, brightest nano-flashlights finding a diseased needle in a haystack
  • * Professor Dayong Jin, University of Technology, Sydney; Macquarie University; and ARC Centre for Nanoscale Biophotonics; Professor Tanya Monro, University of South Australia; University of Adelaide; and ARC Centre for Nanoscale Biophotonics; and Professor Bradley Walsh, Minomic International Ltd and Macquarie University
  • Scopus - Eureka Prize for Excellence in International Scientific Collaboration
  • * Looking for the right face in a multidimensional crowd
  • * Professor Dacheng Tao, University of Technology, Sydney
  • Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre - Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research
  • * Time to die: killing cells to save lives
  • * Pellegrini and Ebert Team, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
  • ANSTO - Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology
  • * Melting salt to store solar power
  • * Associate Professor Frank Bruno, Dr Martin Belusko and Dr Steven Tay, University of South Australia
  • Macquarie University - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher
  • * Inventing a quantum industry for Australia
  • * Associate Professor Michael Biercuk, University of Sydney
  • Defence Science and Technology Group - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia
  • * Battlefield communication by mobile, wi-fi and satellites
  • * Northrop Grumman M5 Network Security
  • Rural Research and Development Corporations - Eureka Prize for Rural Innovation
  • * Vaccines for oysters
  • * Professor David Raftos, Macquarie University
  • UNSW - Eureka Prize for Scientific Research
  • * World's smallest, brightest nano-flashlights finding a diseased needle in a haystack
  • * Professor Peter Currie, Phong Nguyen, Monash University; and Dr Georgina Hollway, Garvan Institute of Medical Research
  • 3M - Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science
  • * Looking beyond physics' Standard Model
  • * Dr Phillip Urquijo, University of Melbourne
  • CSIRO - Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science
  • * Leading Australia's quantum future
  • * Professor Michelle Simmons, UNSW
  • University of Technology Sydney - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers
  • * Nurturing the next generation of Australian researchers
  • * Professor Marilyn Renfree AO, University of Melbourne
  • Department of Industry and Science - Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research
  • * Speaking science underwater
  • * Professor Emma Johnston, UNSW
  • Department of Industry and Science - Eureka Prize for Science Journalism
  • * Battle of the experts: inside the statin war
  • * Dr Elizabeth Finkel, Cosmos Magazine
  • New Scientist - Eureka Prize for Science Photography
  • * 1. Soft Coral, Gary Cranitch, Queensland Museum
  • * 2. Thorny-Headed Worm, Aileen Elliot, Murdoch University
  • * 3. Saltwater Crocodile, Justin Gilligan
  • University of Sydney Sleek Geeks - Science Eureka Prize - Primary
  • * No need to shed tears over Australia's scientific future
  • * Georgia S-M., and Ella W., St Margaret's Anglican Girls School, QLD
  • University of Sydney Sleek Geeks - Science Eureka Prize - Secondary
  • * The Secret of the Appendix
  • * Paige B., Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School, VIC

    2014

List of winners:
  • Australian Government - Eureka Prize for Science Journalism
  • * A shot in the arm for science journalism: talking to the vaccine-concerned
  • * Sonya Pemberton, Genepool Productions.
  • Australian Government - Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research
  • * Changing the way we talk about the science of climate change
  • * Professor Lesley Hughes, Macquarie University
  • University of Technology, Sydney - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers
  • * Fighting substance abuse
  • * Professor Maree Teesson, University of New South Wales
  • Defence Science and Technology Organisation - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia
  • * Floaties for choppers
  • * Tim Lyons, One Atmosphere
  • CSIRO - Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science
  • * curing cancer only part of the story
  • * Professor Terence Speed, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
  • New Scientist - Eureka Prize for Science Photography
  • * Through the Looking Glass
  • * Dr Mark Talbot, CSIRO Plant Industry.
  • University of Sydney - Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize – Primary
  • * The hills are alive with the science of music
  • * Harry Driessen, Croydon Public School,
  • University of Sydney - Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize—Secondary
  • * A ghostly feeling explains our sense of touch
  • * Jackson Huang, Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology
  • NSW Office of Environment and Heritage - Eureka Prize for Environmental Research
  • * 200 divers changing marine science
  • * Professor Graham Edgar and Dr Rick Stuart-Smith, University of Tasmania.
  • 3M - Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science
  • * Slow burning to capture carbon
  • * Dr Adriana Downie, Pacific Pyrolysis Pty Ltd
  • Department of Agriculture Landcare - Eureka Prize for Sustainable Agriculture
  • * More wheat without adding water
  • * Dr John Kirkegaard and Dr James Hunt, CSIRO and Stuart Kearns, Grains Research and Development Corporation
  • Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre - Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research
  • * First vaccine and treatment against Hendra virus, and first vaccine against any biosafety-level-4 disease
  • * Hendra Virus Research Team, CSIRO
  • ANSTO - Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology
  • * From Angry Birds to mobile laboratory: Turning smartphones into science labs for $2
  • * DIY Droplet Lens, Garvan Institute of Medical Research and Australian National University
  • Macquarie University - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher
  • * Tuning the clock of evolution
  • * Associate Professor Simon Ho, University of Sydney
  • University of New South Wales - Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research
  • * A 1000-year climate history for Australia
  • * SEARCH Project, University of Melbourne
  • University of New South Wales - Eureka Prize for Scientific Research
  • * B-cell mystery busted at last
  • * B-cell Team, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

    2013

Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales, heads the guest list for the 2013 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Awards Dinner on Wednesday, 4 September, at the Sydney Town Hall. The event was compered by the ABC's Bernie Hobbs and Dr Graham Philips. -
List of winners:
  • CSIRO - Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science
  • * From little things, big things grow
  • * Professor Frank Caruso, University of Melbourne
  • Macquarie University - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Young Researcher
  • * The right place to spend our conservation dollars
  • * Dr Kerrie Wilson, University of Queensland
  • University of New South Wales - Eureka Prize for Scientific Research
  • * Vitamin B reveals the role of mystery gut immune cells
  • * Dr Lars Kjer-Nielsen and Professor James McCluskey, University of Melbourne, and Professor Jamie Rossjohn, Monash University
  • University of New South Wales - Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research
  • * Shine on you tiny diamonds.
  • * Quantum Bio-probes, University of Melbourne
  • University of Sydney Sleek Geeks - Science Eureka Prize - Primary
  • * What is Friction?
  • * Nathan Gori, Reuben Shepherd, Billy McLeod, Jack Dougall and Sacha Balme, Beauty Point Public School, NSW
  • Caring for our Country Landcare - Eureka Prize for Sustainable Agriculture
  • * The Future Farm Industries CRC Enrich Project Team, CSIRO, University of Western Australia and South Australian Research and Development Institute
  • ANSTO - Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology
  • * Scanning round about like magic - Team
  • * Dr Elliot Duff, Dr Mike Bosse, Dr Robert Zlot, Paul Flick, Dr Peter Kambouris and Dr Gautam Tendulkar from CSIRO
  • Australian Government - Eureka Prize for Science Journalism
  • * Ian Townsend, ABC
  • Australian Government - Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research
  • * Professor Rob Brooks University of New South Wales
  • NSW Health Jamie Callachor - Eureka Prize for Medical Research Translation
  • * Helping children walk.
  • * Professor Steve Wilton and Professor Sue Fletcher, Murdoch University
  • University of Technology, Sydney - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers
  • * Professor Rick Shine AM FAA, University of Sydney
  • Australian Museum University of Sydney Sleek Geeks - Science Eureka Prize – Secondary
  • * The Spectacular Spider, Brandon Gifford, Casino High School, NSW
  • Rio Tinto - Eureka Prize for Commercialisation of Innovation
  • * Scanalyse/Outotec, Scanalyse Pty Ltd/Outotec and Curtin University
  • NSW Office of Environment and Heritage - Eureka Prize for Environmental Research
  • * Professor Chris Johnson, University of Tasmania; Dr Michael Letnic, University of New South Wales; Dr Euan Ritchie, Deakin University; Dr Arian Wallach, James Cook University; and Adam O'Neill, Evelyn Downs Station
  • New Scientist - Eureka Prize for Science Photography
  • * The dingo: from sinner to saviour.
  • * Richard Wylie, Euakafa Island Research Centre
  • Defence Science and Technology Organisation - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia
  • * Providing the very stuff of protection.
  • * DMTC Armour Applications Program, Defence Materials Technology Centre
  • Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre - Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research
  • * A vaccine for mosquitoes – saving them and us from dengue.
  • * Professor Scott O'Neill, Monash University; Professor Ary Hoffmann, University of Melbourne; Professor Scott Ritchie, James Cook University; Dr Elizabeth McGraw, Monash University; Dr Luciano Moreira, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation; and Professor Brian Kay, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
  • 3M - Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science
  • * Numbers saving lives: maths vs pseudoscience in AIDS battle.
  • * Associate Professor David Wilson, Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales

    2012

List of winners:
  • CSIRO - Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science
  • * Professor Suzanne Cory
  • Macquarie University - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Young Researcher
  • * Dr Marie-Liesse Asselin-Labat, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
  • University of New South Wales - Eureka Prize for Scientific Research
  • * Professor John Webb, Professor Victor Flambaum, Dr Julian King and Dr Julian Berengut, School of Physics at the University of New South Wales, and Associate Professor Michael Murphy, Swinburne University of Technology
  • University of Sydney Sleek Geeks - Science Eureka Prize
  • * Brandon Gifford, Year 11 student, Casino High School
  • ANSTO - Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology
  • * Associate Professor Wei Shen with Professor Gil Garnier, Dr Xu Li, Junfei Tian, David Ballerini, Miaosi Li and Lizi Li, Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University
  • Australian Government - Eureka Prize for Science Journalism
  • * Gisela Kaufman and Carsten Orlt, Kaufmann Production
  • Australian Government - Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research
  • * Dr Rob Brander, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of NSW
  • NSW Health Jamie Callachor - Eureka Prize for Medical Research Translation
  • * Professor David Kaye, Heart Failure Research Group, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute
  • University of Technology, Sydney - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers
  • * Professor Doug Hilton, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
  • Voiceless - Eureka Prize for Scientific Research that Contributes to Animal Protection
  • * Professor Clive Phillips, University of Queensland
  • DSTO - Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Support of Defence or National Security
  • * Dr Yonggang Zhu
  • Rio Tinto - Eureka Prize for Commercialisation of Innovation
  • * Digitalcore, including Dr Victor Pantano, Professor Mark Knackstedt and Professor Tim Senden and Dr Adrian Sheppard, Research School of Physics and Engineering, ANU, and Professor Val Pinczewski and Associate Professor Christoph Arns, School of Petroleum Engineering, UNSW
  • NSW Office of Environment and Heritage - Eureka Prize for Environmental Research
  • * Dr Dana Cordell and Professor Stuart White, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology, Sydney
  • Google Australia - Eureka Prize for Innovation in Computer Science
  • * Associate Professor Jon McCormack, Peter McIlwain, Aidan Lane and Dr Alan Dorin, Centre for Electronic Media Art, Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University
  • New Scientist - Eureka Prize for Science Photography
  • * Jason Edwards for photograph, "First Documentation of a Humpback Whale Mating"
  • Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre at University of Queensland - Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research
  • * Dr Marc Pellegrini, with Jesse Toe and Simon Preston, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
  • NSW Trade & Investment - Eureka Prize for Science or Mathematics Teaching
  • * Geoff McNamara, Melrose High School, Pearce, ACT
  • 3M - Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science
  • * Dr Matthew Hill, CSIRO Materials Science and Engineering

    2011

List of winners:
  • CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science
  • * Professor Ben Eggleton, University of Sydney
  • Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher
  • * Dr Angela Moles, University of New South Wales
  • University of New South Wales Eureka Prize for Scientific Research
  • * Dr Andrea Morello and Professor Andrew Dzurak, University of New South Wales
  • University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize - Primary
  • * Anastasia K., Croydon Public School, NSW
  • University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize - Secondary
  • * Brandon G., Casino Christian School, NSW
  • ANSTO Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology
  • * Dr John Arkwright, CSIRO, and Dr Philip Dinning, Flinders University
  • Australian Government Peter Hunt Eureka Prize for Environmental Journalism
  • * Mark Willacy, Mavourneen Dineen, Jun Matsuzono, Garth Thomas, Yumiko Asada and Yayoi Eguchi, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Australian Government Eureka Prize for Science Journalism
  • * Dr Jonica Newby and Lile Judickas, Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Australian Government Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Australian Science Research
  • * Professor Rick Shine, University of Sydney
  • Department of Trade and Investment Jamie Callachor Eureka Prize for Medical Research Translation
  • * Professor Murray Esler and Associate Professor Markus Schlaich, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute
  • University of Technology, Sydney Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers
  • * Professor Jian-xin Zhao, University of Queensland
  • Voiceless Eureka Prize for Scientific Research that Contributes to Animal Protection
  • * Professor Paul McGreevy's Lab, University of Sydney
  • DSTO Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Support of Defence or National Security
  • * Professor Abdesselam Bouzerdoum, University of Wollongong
  • Rio Tinto Eureka Prize for Commercialisation of Innovation
  • * Dr Wojciech Gutowski, CSIRO
  • Sherman Eureka Prize for Environmental Research
  • * The Devils' Advocates, University of Tasmania, Griffith University, University of Sydney, Menzies Research Institute Tasmania and Save the Tasmanian Devil Program at Mt Pleasant Laboratories
  • Google Australia Eureka Prize for Innovation in Computer Science
  • * Associate Professor David Moss, University of Sydney
  • New Scientist Eureka Prize for Science Photography
  • * Jason Edwards
  • New South Wales Government Eureka Prize for 'Advancement of Climate Change Knowledge
  • * Skeptical Science, founded by John Cook
  • New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage Eureka Prize for Innovative Solutions to Climate Change
  • * Professor Manfred Lenzen, Dr Christopher Dey and Dr Joy Murray, University of Sydney
  • Australian Research Council Eureka Prize for Excellence in Research by an Interdisciplinary Team
  • * Nanopatch Vaccination Team, University of Queensland
  • Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research
  • * Cowman Team, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
  • Australian Catholic University Eureka Prize for Research in Ethics
  • * Dr Paul Biegler, Monash University
  • National Water Commission Professor Peter Cullen Eureka Prize for Water Research and Innovation
  • * Professor R. Quentin Grafton, Dr Hoang Long Chu and Professor Tom Kompas, Australian National University, and Dr Michael Stewardson, University of Melbourne
  • 3M Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science
  • * Associate Professor Kevin Pfleger, Western Australian Institute for Medical Research
  • Australian Museum Eureka Prizes People's Choice Award'
  • * Professor Alan Mackay-Sim, Griffith University

    2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2003

The , was compered by Sally Loane, Adam Spencer and Robyn Williams, and attended by some 800 people at the Horden Pavilion of Fox Studios on Tuesday 12 August 2003.
The 2002 Australian Museum Eureka Prize was compered by Amanda Keller and Adam Spencer at Fox Studios on 13 August 2002.

1999

1998

1997

  • Penny van Oosterzee won her second Eureka Prize

    1996

1995