2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes winners, Australian Museum, Australian Museum, 4 September 2026
19 individuals and teams recognised across the categories of Research & Innovation, Leadership, Science Engagement and School Science.
The 2026 winners of the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes have been announced. 19 Eureka Prizes were awarded alongside the Australian Museum Research Institute Medal, on an incredible night celebrating scientific excellence. As the world faces new challenges, Australian scientists continue to build bridges between disciplines and translate complex discoveries into solutions that benefit society.
The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes are the country’s most comprehensive national science awards, honouring excellence across the areas of research & innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science.
Presented annually in partnership with some of the nation’s leading scientific institutions, government organisations, universities and corporations, the Eureka Prizes raise the profile of science and science engagement in the community by celebrating outstanding achievement.
2026 Eureka Prize winners
Research & Innovation
- Marine Heatwave Forecasts, CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology — NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Eureka Prize for Environmental Research
- EcoCommons Australia, QCIF Digital Research — Australian Research Data Commons Eureka Prize for Excellence in Data Platforms
- Associate Professor Helen Paterson, The University of Sydney — University of Technology Sydney and Australian Federal Police Eureka Prize for Excellence in Forensic Science
- Professor Ivan Kassal and Associate Professor Ting Rei Tan, The University of Sydney — Eureka Prize for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research
- Women’s Microbiome Innovation Group, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre; Monash University; and Alfred Health — Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre Eureka Prize for Infectious Diseases Research
- C2X, RMIT University — Eureka Prize for Innovative Use of Technology
- Dr Aidan Cashin, UNSW and Neuroscience Research Australia — Macquarie University Eureka Prize for Outstanding Early Career Researcher
- Professor Vincent Gramoli, The University of Sydney and Redbelly Network — Department of Defence Eureka Prize for Outstanding Science in Safeguarding Australia
- Professor Georgina Long AO, The University of Sydney and Melanoma Institute Australia — UNSW Eureka Prize for Scientific Research
- Professor Yansong Shen, UNSW — Eureka Prize for Sustainability Research
Leadership
- Dr Jane Tiller, Monash University — University of Sydney Eureka Prize for Emerging Leader in Science, Technology and Engineering
- Distinguished Professor Maree Teesson, The University of Sydney — University of Sydney Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science
- Associate Professor Karen Lamb, University of Melbourne — University of Technology Sydney Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Researchers
Science Engagement
- Miyawaki Forest Program, Murdoch University — Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science
- Dr Lila Landowski, University of Tasmania and Science and Technology Australia — Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science
- Liam Mannix and William Davis, The Age and Brisbane Times — Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Science Journalism
- OurFutures Vaping Program, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney; University of Queensland; Curtin University; Monash University; UNSW; and University of Newcastle — UNSW Eureka Prize for Societal Impact in Science
- Science Gallery Melbourne — Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion
School Science
- Poppy H., Homeschool Perth, WA — Australian Museum School Science Eureka Prize – Primary
- Millie B., Karrinyup, WA — Australian Museum School Science Eureka Prize – Secondary