Image courtesy Paul Foley

The State’s most prestigious science awards are set to be bigger and better in 2011 with more prize money on offer and three new award categories.

Nominations are now open for the 2011 NSW Science and Engineering Awards, which includes the NSW Scientist of the Year Award.

The NSW Science and Engineering Awards are the State’s most prestigious science prizes, recognising achievements in the sciences, mathematics, engineering and teaching.

The awards honour research carried out by top NSW scientists and engineers and the far reaching impact their work has on the community.

The cutting-edge research done by the State’s best and brightest scientists generate economic, health, environmental and technological benefits for the people of NSW.

The total prize pool has increased this year to $100,000, with the main award of NSW Scientist of the Year to receive $55,000.

Three new award categories have also been created – Emerging Research, Invention, and Innovation in Public Sector Sciences and Engineering.

The scientific and engineering community are encouraged to recognise their peers by nominating colleagues for outstanding achievements in their respective fields.

The awards also honour the State’s leading science and maths teachers who play a critical role in inspiring our next generation of scientists, mathematicians and engineers.

Nine awards of $5,000 each will be granted to individuals in the following categories:

1. Climate Change and Environment;
2. Mathematics, Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy
3. Biomedical Sciences;
4. Plant and Animal Research;
5. Engineering and Information and Communications Technology;
6. Emerging Research;
7. Invention;
8. Innovation in Public Sector Sciences and Engineering; and
9. Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education.

A NSW Scientist of the Year will also be chosen. In 2010 Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte won for his world-leading work in robotics at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Systems and the Australian Centre for Field Robotics at The University of Sydney.

Professor Durrant-Whyte’s research has helped to develop robotics and autonomous solutions for a range of industries including mining, marine, military, aeronautics and agriculture.

Since winning the award Professor Durrant-Whyte has been appointed the Chief Executive Officer of NICTA, Australia's ICT Research Centre of Excellence.

Nominations close Monday 17 October 2011 and will be announced at NSW Government House on 23 November.

For further details including nomination forms and guidelines visit the Science and Engineering Awards website.