Graduate Research School Research Excellence

Research Excellence

James Cook University proudly recognises and celebrates research excellence through a range of annual awards and programs, including the Medal for Excellence for a Higher Degree by Research (Doctoral or Masters) Thesis and the Dean's Award for Excellence.

JCU also actively encourages researchers to showcase their achievements and gain wider recognition through external awards and prizes that honour outstanding research impact locally, nationally, and internationally. Staff and students are supported to pursue these opportunities as part of JCU’s commitment to celebrating research that makes a difference.

JCU Awards

Explore the opportunities below to celebrate excellence and inspire continued success across our JCU community.

For a candidate whose higher degree by research (doctoral or masters) thesis was judged to be passed ‘cum laude’

To be eligible for the Medal for Excellence for a Higher Degree by Research (Doctoral or Masters) Thesis, students must:

  • have a recommendation for their higher degree by research to be awarded ‘cum laude’ independently by two examiners;
  • meet the conditions specified in the HDR examination procedure; and
  • be endorsed as eligible to receive the Medal for Excellence for a Higher Degree by Research (Doctoral or Masters) Thesis by the student’s Advisory Panel and the Dean, Graduate Research.

Recipients

The Dean's Awards for Excellence recognise excellence in Higher Degree by Research candidature. Recipients have normally been commended by the independent expert examiners as having made substantial contributions to their field of research.

Recipients

External Awards and Prizes

This list is regularly updated, so please check back often for new opportunities to showcase your achievements and gain wider recognition.

If you submit a nomination for any of these awards, we would love to hear from you! Please let us know by emailing grs.staff@jcu.edu.au. If you have any questions or need assistance navigating the nomination process, our team is here to help.

The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science are Australia’s most prestigious awards recognising outstanding achievements in scientific research, innovation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems, and excellence in science teaching.

Key Information for 2026

  • Nominations open: Wednesday 22 October 2025
  • Nominations close: Thursday 18 December 2025
  • Recipients announced: Evening of Monday 3 November 2025 (for 2025 awards)

Prize Categories and Benefits

The prizes include:

  • Prime Minister’s Prize for Science ($250,000)
  • Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation ($250,000)
  • Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year ($50,000)
  • Frank Fenner Prize for Life Scientist of the Year ($50,000)
  • Prize for New Innovators ($50,000)
  • Science Teaching Prizes for excellence in primary and secondary education ($250,000 each)
  • Prize for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledge Systems

Each recipient receives prize money, a medallion, a lapel pin, and an award certificate.

Who Can Apply?

Australian scientists, innovators, and educators whose work benefits Australia and the world. Nominees must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.

How to Nominate

Nominations must be made by someone familiar with the nominee’s work and supported by others. Detailed guidelines, templates, and resources to assist nominations are available on the Prime Minister’s Prizes Content Hub.

The Australian Academy of Sciences will serve as Australia’s National Representative Body (NRB) for the 4th Edition of the Frontiers Planet Prize. The NRB will collect and evaluate nominations from institutions across the country and submit the top three to the Jury of 100.

Key details:

  • NRB main contact: Kira Scaife – awards@science.org.au
  • Submission deadline: 23:59 AEST, Friday 31 October 2025
  • To nominate: Email the NRB contact and share a PDF of the article, along with the completed scientist application form for each nomination (up to three per institution). The application form can be downloaded from the scientist resource folder in the resource hub.

The Frontiers Planet Prize honors scientific breakthroughs that accelerate solutions for healthy lives on a healthy planet. Nominations should reflect diverse contributions and perspectives, and NRBs are encouraged to actively address any unintended bias in the candidates put forward. The process is entirely community-driven, with no interference from the Frontiers Research Foundation in evaluations.

Additional details, including the updated privacy policy, are available here.