Nominations are now invited for the 2025 David Syme Research Prize. The Australia-wide prize recognises the best original research in Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Geology produced* in Australia during the past two years (1 January 2024 - 31 December 2025).

*Produced – e.g. published, received patents

The David Syme Research Prize is managed by the Faculty of Science at the University of Melbourne.

Summary details are:

Value: approx. $10,000, and a medal

Closing date: 30 April 2026

• The prize is made by nomination only. Senior members of the academic or research community such as co-authors or co-researchers, heads of department or deputy vice-chancellors (research) are invited to nominate eligible colleagues. Self-nominations are not accepted.
• Researchers associated with any Australian university and researchers without university connections are eligible for nomination, noting that the following are not eligible:

- Professors or researchers who will have attained the position of professor at the time the award is made;

- Researchers outside universities who will have attained a level of seniority comparable to a university professor at the time the award is made (LEVEL E);

- Researchers who have not spent the equivalent of at least 5 full years of the last 7 in Australia.

• The award is made on the basis of the research quality within the discipline and its likely impact and value in the industrial and commercial interests of Australia.

Full details and the nomination form are available at: https://ricunimelb.smartygrants.com.au/DS25

Enquiries should be directed to: science-research@unimelb.edu.au

For a list of past recipients please visit: https://science.unimelb.edu.au/research/awards-grants-and-support#david-syme-research-prize