June 22, 2026
The Royal Society of NSW has long recognised distinguished achievements and excellence across the gamut of knowledge through its Awards Program. Its awards are amongst the oldest and most prestigious in Australia.
In 2023, the Society broadened and streamlined its Awards portfolio to recognise recent and evolving fields and disciplines, and emerging as well as established research stars. Today, the Society Awards are made in two main classes reflecting the Society’s history: Career Excellence Medals and Discipline Awards and Medals, with additional Awards, Scholarships, and Citations, including Internal Awards for distinguished service to the Society and community.
The Council of the Society is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2026 Awards, which will commence on 1 July 2026 and close on 30 September 2026. Winners of the Awards will be announced at the final Ordinary General Meeting for 2026 to be held at the State Library of NSW on the evening of Wednesday, 2 December.
This year, nominations are called for the following awards. Please follow the links below for information about each award, specific conditions, nomination instructions, and nomination forms.
Career Excellence Medals
RSNSW Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Scholar Medal
RSNSW James Cook Medal — for lifetime career contributions
RSNSW Edgeworth David Medal — for mid-career researchers
RSNSW Ida Browne Early Career Medal
Discipline Awards and Lectureships
RSNSW Clarke Medal and Lectureship in the Earth Sciences
RSNSW Walter Burfitt Award in Medical and Veterinary Sciences and Technologies
RSNSW Award in the Social and Behavioural Sciences
RSNSW Award in the History and Philosophy of Science
RSNSW Award in Computer Science and Information Technology (new award in 2026)
Scholarships, Early Career, and Student Awards
RSNSW Bicentennial Postgraduate Scholarships
RSNSW Bicentennial Early Career Research and Service Citations
RSNSW Jak Kelly Postgraduate Award
RSNSW Service Awards
RSNSW Medal
RSNSW Citations
Please consider nominating your colleagues, early career researchers, and postgraduate students who you believe meet the criteria for these awards — an outcome that will certainly recognise their achievements and boost their careers.
Please direct any queries by email to the RSNSW Awards Committee.
