The Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in STEM Education recognise students, teachers, support officers, schools and education partners (volunteers, mentors and organisations) who demonstrate an outstanding and innovative contribution to STEM education in Queensland.
2021 marks the 18th year of the awards named after Professor Peter Doherty, a Brisbane-born Nobel Prize-winning scientist, who was educated at Indooroopilly State High School and the University of Queensland.
Nominations for 2021 are now closed
The awards categories are:
- Outstanding Senior STEM Student—$5,000 each
- Outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Senior STEM Student—$5,000 each
- Outstanding Rural and Remote Senior STEM Student—$5,000 each
- Outstanding Teacher of STEM—$5,000 each
- Outstanding Rural and Remote Teacher of STEM Awards—$5,000 each
- Outstanding STEM Support Officer—$5,000 each
- STEM Education Partnership—$5,000 each
- Outstanding School STEM—$5,000 each.
Who can apply
The awards are open to state and non-state schools in Queensland.
You can apply for a Peter Doherty Award if you are a:
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student who has completed Year 11 in a Queensland school and are currently enrolled in at least two Year 12 approved senior science, technology, engineering or mathematics subjects. You also need to have attained an A standard of achievement or equivalent in at least two applicable Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority or other approved curriculum senior science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) subjects, in Year 11
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teacher in a Queensland school who has implemented strategies to lift student performance in science, technology, engineering or mathematics; and who inspires others to ensure every student succeeds through their ongoing contributions to the learning outcomes of both students and other staff
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school-based STEM Support Officer (scientific assistants, teacher aides or other support officers) supporting the operational aspects of a dynamic and efficient STEM school curriculum
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school that demonstrates initiative and commitment in managing and promoting science, technology, engineering or mathematics across the whole school and within the community
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education partner that encourages productive STEM partnerships with Queensland schools (tertiary, industry, business, government, research or education institution, school volunteer, school mentor or community organisation or a cluster of schools working together on productive STEM initiatives).
Please note: as Environmental Education Centres and Outdoor Education Centres are established institutions to provide education instruction to persons enrolled at state schools, these centres should apply for the STEM Education Partnership Awards.
Award conditions
Applicants may nominate themselves or be nominated by another person. Previous Peter Doherty Award recipients are not eligible to apply. Applications should not be for projects or initiatives that are the same or similar to previously submitted applications unless the project or initiative is significantly enhanced or modified. For further information about the Peter Doherty Awards, please email
peterdohertyawards@qed.qld.gov.au.
How the award is to be used
For students, the award is to be used to:
- undertake activities associated with tertiary STEM courses
- attend conferences, forums or events that will extend your experiences in STEM
- purchase equipment that can assist your learning and development in STEM
- undertake research projects, including experience in a research laboratory.
For teachers and support officers, the award is to be used to:
- assist you to undertake appropriate professional development activities acceptable to your principal and within the normal guidelines of your employing authority.
For schools and education partners, the award is to be used to:
- assist in undertaking further STEM activities.
Attendance at the award ceremony
It is anticipated that the successful applicants will attend the awards ceremony. If required, travel and accommodation expenses will be paid by the Department of Education for the award recipients. For student awards, the travel and accommodation expenses will also be paid for two accompanying adults if required.
2021 winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Friday 13 August 2021 in line with the commencement of National Science Week (14–21 August 2021).
Further information
For further information about the Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in STEM Education, please email
peterdohertyawards@qed.qld.gov.au.