Major initiative to promote science launched

Scheme provides $1 million to scientists, teachers and students

The Government has launched a major initiative to recognise and reward contributions of New Zealanders to science, with annual awards presentation beginning next year.

Prime Minister John Key said that achievers in five categories will receive a total of $1 million.

Winners in two categories have been announced based on their achievements and they will receive their awards in February 2010.

The Awards Scheme follows the recent appointment of Professor Sir Peter Gluckman as Chief Science Advisor to the Government.

Mr Key said many scientists who did high quality research were not acknowledged and recognised.

“These prizes combine recognition and financial reward and are important in attracting young people into science careers.

“We are committed to raising the profile and prestige of science in New Zealand,” he said, speaking at a meeting of Plant and Food Research in Auckland on October 23.

The Awards scheme incorporates five categories. They are The Prime Minister’s Science Prize ($500,000), The Prime Minister’s MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year ($150,000), The Prime Minister’s Future Scientist Prize ($50,000), The Prime Minister’s Science Teacher Prize, providing $50,000 to the teacher and $100,000 to the school concerned and The Prime Minister’s Science Media Communication Prize, with a cash award of $150,000 to the winner.

The Science Award will be awarded to an individual or a team that has made an outstanding discovery or achievement in science, with a significant impact on the economy, environment, health or the society of New Zealand.

This category incorporates Physical, Chemical, Biological, Social and Technological Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering.

The MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year Award will be presented to a scientist who has carried out leading edge science within five years of completing PhD. The recipient for 2009 will be John Watt, winner of the 2009 MacDiarmid Young Scientist of the Year.

The process for nominating emerging scientists for the 2010 Award will be posted on the Government website on February 1, 2010.

A science teacher with outstanding achievement in teaching Science will be eligible for The Science Teacher of the Year Award.

The recipient of The Future Scientist Award will be given to a secondary school student for outstanding achievement in carrying out a practical and innovative research or technology project.

Nominations for the 2009 Award received from significant science and technology competitions and programmes run throughout New Zealand are now closed.

The process for nominating students for 2010 will be posted in March 2010.

The Science Media Communication Award will be given to an individual to develop his or her knowledge of science media communication.

“Effective communication of science is becoming increasingly important given the influence of science and technology on New Zealanders’ lives.

“It is also important given the specialisation of science which can isolate scientists and their ideas,” a Government notification said.

Mr Key said it was essential to optimise the use of available scientific expertise to promote New Zealand’s prosperity.

“These prizes, by combining recognition and financial reward, will be important in attracting young people into science careers,” he said.