The deadline for The Australian’s innovation awards – presented by the daily in partnership with Shell and the Commonwealth Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research – has been extended, apparently on growing popular demand.
Entries for the $70,000 Innovation Challenge awards – in fields ranging from clean energy technology through agriculture to astronomy – will be accepted until 12 October, the newspaper said in a release. The previous deadline was Sept. 28.
The awards are presented in seven professional categories: agriculture and food; minerals and energy; health; environment; ICT; education; and manufacturing and hi-tech design (designs either taken up in Australia or exported). An eighth category, Backyard Innovation, is open to the general public.
Individuals and teams can apply for the awards. Also, they can enter in more than one category and enter multiple projects. International projects are eligible only if the bulk of the work was driven from Australia.
The awards recognise innovation for the public good as well as breakthroughs that have potential for commercial use. The winners of each category will receive a cash prize of $5,000. The overall winner will receive an additional $25,000. The Backyard Innovation award open to the general public has a $10,000 prize.
Entries will be judged on the following: excellence in science, technology or engineering; likely positive economic, public good or environmental impact; originality and environmental sustainability. Entries I health and education are required to explain how their innovation will not lead to any negative environmental impacts.
Terry Cutler, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s deputy chairman who led the federal government’s 2008 review of the national innovation system, chairs the judging panel. Australian Chief Scientist Professor Ian Chubb is among other judges drawn from academia, industry, government and the science agencies.
The online entry form and award details can be accessed here.
