Prime Minister's Upcoming Scientist Award for Young Talent
Jumpstart Your Scientific Career: The Prime Minister's Future Scientist Prize 2025
🗓️ Dates: 11 June 2025 - 21 October 2025
📍 Location: Nationwide, Aotearoa, New Zealand
🎉 Event Type: Competitions
👉 Purpose: This prestigious annual award aims to boost the reputation and importance of science among New Zealanders, both locally and globally. The winner receives a whopping $50,000 to aid their tertiary education journey.
🏁 Competition Details: Year 12 or 13 students excelling in practical, innovative science research, maths, technology, or engineering projects are eligible. The registration period kicks off on 12 August 2025, and applications must be submitted before 1:00 pm on 22 October 2025.
⚡ Sponsor: The competition is backed by the New Zealand Government, with funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
🔍 Want to Know More? Head over to The Prime Minister's Future Scientist Prize to find out more and download the application forms.
🏆 Related Prizes: Check out the other four The Prime Minister's Science Prizes 2025.
Insights:
🌟 Eligibility: Candidates or teams must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents actively involved in science.
📖 Application Materials: A completed application form, an evidence portfolio, CV, and three referee reports—two international and one local—are required.
💼 Planned Use of Prize Funding: Winners should outline their plan for utilizing the prize money to further their scientific pursuits, although this plan doesn't influence the selection process.
💬 Expectations: Winners may be expected to take part in promotional events, deliver public talks across New Zealand, and attend a media session with the Prime Minister's Science Prize media team in February 2026. They are also required to be present in Wellington for the announcement of winners in March or April 2026.
📅 Timeline:
- Applications open: 20 May 2025
- Applications close: Midday, 19 August 2025 (late applications will not be accepted)
- Online judging: August/September 2025
- Selection panel meetings: October/November 2025
- Applicants notified: January 2026
- Media preparation: February 2026
- Winner announcement: March/April 2026 (date to be confirmed)
Science plays a significant role in the future education and self-development of Year 12 and 13 students in New Zealand. The Prime Minister's Future Scientist Prize, an annual competition, offers a prime opportunity for students excelling in science, mathematics, technology, or engineering projects to showcase their practical, innovative research and win a $50,000 grant for their tertiary education journey.
