Australian Museum names 58 finalists for 2026 Eureka Prizes
The nation's most prestigious science awards shortlist 150 individuals across 19 categories.
The Australian Museum has announced the finalists for the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, shortlisting 58 finalists representing 150 individuals across 19 award categories. The announcement recognizes a diverse array of scientific achievement, highlighting the critical role of research in solving contemporary national and global challenges.
These honors are organized into four primary pillars: Research and Innovation, Leadership, Science Engagement, and School Science. The final winners will be revealed during a ceremony on September 3, 2026, at Sydney Town Hall.
Founded in 1990, the Eureka Prizes are the most comprehensive national science awards in Australia. They honor individuals and organizations that advance science and the public's understanding of discovery, elevating the visibility of Australian research on the world stage.
This year's finalists include high-stakes research in public health and environmental science. The Australian National University (ANU) 'Testing Traces' team is a finalist for the UTS and AFP Eureka Prize for Excellence in Forensic Science. Their work focuses on detecting new psychoactive substances from pill testing samples, a project that Professor Malcolm McLeod of the ANU Research School of Chemistry noted "shines a light on the extraordinary PhD students" driving the research. PhD researcher Blake Curtis described the work as solving "molecular mysteries" by piecing together new drugs atom by atom.
Additionally, the Innovation in Citizen Science category features Dr. Grey Coupland from Murdoch University, a finalist for the Miyawaki Forest Program. These projects demonstrate the breadth of the prizes, ranging from laboratory-based forensic breakthroughs to community-driven ecological initiatives.
As the scientific community awaits the final results, the focus remains on how these advancements influence policy and safety. The forensic work by the ANU team, for instance, provides essential data that can inform safety assessments for the World Health Organization. The winners' announcement in September will serve as the definitive recognition of the year's most impactful contributions to Australian science.