Final call for top young scientists

Media Statement 13 March 2008
Final call for top young scientists

The final call is out for New Zealand’s top young researchers to complete their entries for this year’s MacDiarmid Young Scientists of the Year Awards.

Named after one of New Zealand’s most prominent international scientists, the late Professor Alan MacDiarmid, the awards are hosted by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology with principal sponsor Fisher & Paykel Appliances.

The awards carry an overall prize pool of more than $50,000, with the winner receiving $10,000 and an expenses paid trip to the United Kingdom to attend the annual Science Festival held by the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

The competition is open to all post graduates undertaking research and postdoctoral researchers who have held a PhD for less than five years. There are five categories: Understanding Planet Earth, Science and our Society, Advancing Human Health and Wellbeing, Future Science and Technologies and Adding Value to Nature. A special award will also be made for outstanding Masters’ level research.

Each year the competition receives entries from those who are working on break-through scientific and technology discoveries, with judges looking for winners with an ability to communicate their work in an exciting, easy-to-understand style that attracts young talent into scientific careers.

Entries for the prestigious awards close on March 28, with a gala dinner and presentation to winners being held in Auckland on Thursday 14 August. Entry numbers are already looking to match previous years, as Foundation staff tour the country making presentations to university faculties and research institutes to encourage entries.

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