South Australian Citizen Science Award

Inspiring South Australia, the Department for Environment and Water and the South Australian Chapter of the Australian Citizen Science Association (ACSA-SA) are pleased to announce the opening of the SA Citizen Science Awards for 2025.

Applications will be accepted between 5 May and 17 June 2025.

The Citizen Science Award is open to South Australian groups and individuals currently engaged in citizen science activities that promote and increase community participation in projects that encompass quality science, engagement and education.

The Award offers two prizes of $5000 for overall winner and a finalist prize of $2500. It’s hoped the prize money will further support the project or to generate new citizen science projects.

The nomination guidelines and Citizen Science Award Nomination forms are found through the below hyperlinks:

Citizen Science
Citizen science projects play a vital role in advancing scientific research, fostering community engagement, and building a more scientific literate society. By contributing observations, data, and insights, everyday people become active participants in real-world discovery, helping researchers tackle challenges ranging from environmental conservation to health and space exploration. Citizen science empowers individuals of all ages to connect with science in meaningful ways, deepening their understanding of the world around them while contributing to outcomes that benefit society as a whole. Visit this webpage for more on citizen science in South Australia: https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/science/citizen-science.

Members of the Beach Nesting Birds conference 2022. Courtesy of Grainne Maguire

Beach Nesting Bird Conference 2022. Courtesy of Grainne Maguire

A group of citizen scientist on a beach looking for birds. Courtesy of Renee Mead.

Courtesy of Renee Mead

Citizen Scientists in action, searching for specimens in a body of water. Courtesy of Northern and Yorke Landscape Board

Courtesy of Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board

Recording observations of a citizen science effort. Courtesy of Northern and Yorke Landscape Board

Courtesy of Northern and Yorke Landscape Board

Citizen Scientists knee deep in water, surrounded by plants. Courtesy of Northern and Yorke Landscape Board

Courtesy of Northern and Yorke Landscape Board

Unsung Hero Awards of South Australian Science and Science Communication

These awards recognise individuals who have made significant, long-term contributions to science by have not yet received formal public recognition. The awards aim to help recipients promote their work, highlight important issues, and bring public credibility and attention to their field. There are two awards offered:

  • Unsung Hero of South Australian Science – for science and research endeavours
  • Unsung Hero of South Australian Science Communication – for the communication of science

An independent assessment committee will evaluate nominations and determine award recipients. Selection will be based primarily upon the information provided in the nomination form. though referees may be contacted for further details.

Nominations must be submitted using the form below and sent to inspiringSA@sa.gov.ay by 10am, Thursday 10 July 2025.

Nomination form:

Criteria: