Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

06/08/2026

We are honoured that the MangroveWatch Local Action Plan (LAP) model has been named a finalist for the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes' Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science!

The idea for the LAP model emerged in 2021 in response to feedback from the community and Traditional Owners. They wanted mangrove condition data to do more than sit in a database. They wanted it to drive local, on-ground action and to ensure citizen science data was accessible and useful to the people who collected it.

The LAP model supports local communities and Traditional Owners to identify priorities and lead action. Across the Wet Tropics, Local Action Plans include community-led revegetation, erosion control, and school-based education programs.

The model was piloted in the Wet Tropics Chapter, led by Cairns and Far North Environment Centre. Its success has led to the model now being implemented across four regions.

The LAP Model was developed and delivered in partnership with Earthwatch Australia, MangroveWatch, and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. It was funded through the partnership between the Australian Government's Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

Congratulations to everyone who helped shape, trial, and bring this model to life!

31/07/2026

Congratulations to Professor Guan Yeoh, recently named as a finalist for the 2026 UNSW Eureka Prize for Societal Impact in Science!

UNSW Science backs researchers taking their work out of the lab and into the real world, where it can start solving the big challenges.

Prof. Yeoh is doing just that: his team's world-first fire-retardant paint, FSA FIRECOAT, is now protecting homes from bushfires across Australia, Canada and the US.

Winners will be announced on 3 September at Sydney Town Hall.

Read more about Prof. Yeoh and FSA FIRECOAT here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2026/07/meet-the-six-unsw-finalists-for-the-2026-eureka-prizes

30/07/2026

30/07/2026

We're thrilled to share that the MangroveWatch Local Action Plan model is a finalist in the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science.

Developed in partnership with Earthwatch Australia, the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, the program supports Traditional Owners and communities to turn local knowledge and citizen science into real action for coastal wetland conservation and restoration.

The model, which was funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, was pioneered in the Wet Tropics and has now been replicated in four regions, with more than 10,000 people contributing to monitoring and protecting local mangroves.

This recognition is a testament to the power of citizen science, celebrating collaboration and the many volunteers, Traditional Owners, ranger groups, schools, community organisations and partners who make this work possible. Together, we're helping communities take meaningful action in their local coastal wetlands while generating valuable environmental data that supports conservation across Australia. Thank you to everyone who has been involved and supported the MangroveWatch program to date.

Congratulations to all the finalists. We're honoured to be recognised alongside such outstanding Australian science. To see all finalists: https://buff.ly/xzTCBZs

To learn more about the MangroveWatch Local Action Plan see: https://bit.ly/3TuYOZW


Reef Trust Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Australian Citizen Science Association

30/07/2026

29/07/2026

We’re incredibly excited to share that researchers from WEHI and global biopharmaceutical company MSD Invents have been named finalists in the 2026 Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research 👏 👏

This joint nomination recognises a longstanding collaboration that has led to the development of a new class of antimalarial treatment candidates designed to overcome drug resistance and help reduce the spread of malaria.

The team’s lead compound has progressed to human clinical trials, marking a significant milestone in the fight against one of the world’s most devastating infectious diseases.

The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are among Australia’s most prestigious science awards, celebrating excellence in research, innovation, leadership and science engagement.

A huge congratulations to the team! Winners will be announced on September 3 🤞

Read the story: https://www.wehi.edu.au/news/from-lab-to-clinic-malaria-researchers-earn-eureka-nomination/

29/07/2026

🧪 big day for tassie nerds
Earlier today, the finalists for the 2026 Eureka Science prizes were announced - and Tasmanian researchers are up for a record 4 prizes!

Check them out at the link in the comments :)

29/07/2026

29/07/2026

The Australian Museum (AM) has announced the finalists of the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, recognising the outstanding homegrown scientists, innovators and communicators that drive exploration and discovery across Australia. Spanning 19 categories, this year's awards recognise 58 finalists representing 150 individuals from across Australia.

OzGrav is proud to congratulate our very own Dr Kirsten Banks, who has been named a finalist in the 2026 Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science.

Kirsten is a Wiradjuri astrophysicist who bridges gaps in space science for audiences often missed by traditional science communication. Reaching nearly one million followers and 115 million views in 2025, she combines social media, broadcast commentary, live events, school programs and First Nations astronomy advocacy to make astrophysics accessible.

Congratulations, Kirsten, on this outstanding and well-deserved recognition. We wish you all the very best for the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes awards ceremony on 3 September.

Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

29/07/2026

🎉 We're thrilled to share that the National Youth Science Forum has been named a finalist in the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes!

Our Year 12 Program has been shortlisted for the Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion, recognising initiatives that help make STEM more accessible and inclusive across Australia.

For more than 40 years, we've believed that curiosity and potential matter more than postcodes, grades or circumstance. Being recognised alongside so many incredible organisations is an honour, and a reflection of every participant, volunteer, partner, supporter and staff member who has helped make NYSF what it is today.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey. This recognition belongs to all of you.

Congratulations to all the finalists. Winners will be announced in September.