Overview

The annual Young Tall Poppy Science Awards are an integral part of the Tall Poppy Campaign initiated in 1998 by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS) to recognise and celebrate Australian intellectual and scientific excellence and to encourage younger Australians to follow in the footsteps of our outstanding achievers.

Previous Award winners have come from universities, research institutes, government organisations and private industry and work in diverse areas, ranging from medicine, psychology and biotechnology to nanotechnology, robotics, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, astronomy and the environmental sciences.

Award winners (Young Tall Poppies) go on to participate in outreach programs in which they act as role models and ambassadors of science. The program aims to inspire young people and the broader community about the possibilities of science and to encourage a culture of innovation alongside the promotion of scientific literacy. This involves a range of science promotion activities for school students, teachers and the broader community, including visits to schools, seminars, public talks and other initiatives linking scientists to policy makers.

Over 200 Young Tall Poppy Science Awards have been made around Australia, with many awardees going on to receive more senior accolades and support for their research and to become leaders in promoting science in Australia. A total of 45 awards were made in 2009. Many alumni keep up their involvement with the AIPS throughout their careers, with three former Young Tall Poppies now on the AIPS Board and others serving as Campaign Ambassadors.

This year the most outstanding Young Tall Poppy in each state and territory will also be recognised. 

These will be decided by the relevant selection committee for the most outstanding nominee based on the existing criteria for the Young Tall Poppy Science Awards.  In addition to public recognition, the following special awards will be made in 2010:

• In the ACT the most outstanding awardee will receive the inaugural ANU Medal for the ACT Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year supported by the Australian National University.

• The 2010 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year will receive a cash prize of $10,000 for use in support of the awardee's research and/or directly related science promotion activities. This prize is supported by Griffith University, the Queensland Institute of Medical Research , Queensland University of Technology and the University of Queensland.

• In NSW the most outstanding awardee will receive the UNSW Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year Medal , including a medal and a modest cash prize, totalling $5,000 sponsored by the UNSW.

   

• The South Australian Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year carries a prize of $15,000 with associated conditions and is supported by the South Australian government. Read more about this prize at the South Australian Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year. 
• The Victorian Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year will receive an inaugural cash prize of $5,000 proudly sponsored by the Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne.
• In the Northern Territory the most outstanding awardee will receive a cash prize of $1500 with no conditions attached on the prize money.