The Prime Minister’s Science Prizes 2025

20 May 2025 - 19 August 2025

Region(s): Nationwide

Type(s): competitions

These annual prizes aim to raise the profile and prestige of science among New Zealanders, in Aotearoa and internationally. There are five prizes in total with a combined value of $975,000 NZ Dollars.

• 20 May 2025 applications open

• 19 August 2025 applications close

Te Puiaki Pūtaiao Matua a Te Pirimia The Prime Minister’s Science Prize

An individual or team for a transformative scientific discovery or achievement, which has had a significant economic, health, social and/or environmental impact on New Zealand and/or internationally.

Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Maea The Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Emerging Scientist Prize

An outstanding emerging scientist who has had their PhD or equivalent qualification conferred within the last eight years i.e. (no earlier than 1 January 2014).

Te Puiaki Whakapā Pūtaiao The Prime Minister’s Science Communication Prize

A practising scientist 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, or communication of complex scientific or technological information to the public and/or science and research communities.

Te Puiaki Kaiwhakaako Pūtaiao The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize

A registered teacher kaiako who has been teaching science, mathematics, technology, pūtaiao, hangarau or pāngarau learning areas of the New Zealand curriculum to school-age children in a primary, intermediate or secondary New Zealand registered school or kura kaupapa.

Supported by the New Zealand Government with funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Go here for further information and application forms: https://pmscienceprizes.org.nz.

Go here for information on the Te Puiaki Kaipūtaiao Ānamata The Prime Minister’s Future Scientist Prize, note it has different dates.