Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education

Note: Environmental Education Centres and Outdoor Education Centres are established institutions that provide education instruction to state school students, and should apply for the STEM Education Partnership Awards.

Award conditions

• Applicants may self-nominate 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 2 accompanying adults if required.

How to apply

Review the relevant application guide below for each award category for information on how to apply.

• Application guide—Outstanding Senior STEM Student Awards
• Application guide—Outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Senior STEM Student Awards
• Application guide—Outstanding Rural and Remote Senior STEM Student Awards
• Application guide—Outstanding Teacher of STEM Awards
• Application guide—Outstanding Rural and Remote Teacher of STEM Awards
• Application guide—Outstanding STEM Support Officer Awards
• Application guide—STEM Education Partnership Awards
• Application guide—Outstanding School STEM Awards

Submit an application through the submission portal. Provide details of 2​ referees and upload a signed project consent form and any other documents required for the relevant category.

Applications close 5pm AEST Friday 31 March 2025.

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Tuesday 12 August 2025 during National Science Week (7 to 19 August 2025).

Further information

For further information about the Peter Doherty Awards for Excellence in STEM Education, please email peterdohertyawards@qed.qld.gov.au.