This award recognises a medical scientist/health researcher/health innovator who has made a major contribution to medical research. Judges will be looking for an individual or team that has made a significant impact locally, nationally and internationally.
Criteria
- The nominee/ team must be based principally or residing in the Greater Waikato Region and includes the Bay of Plenty area.
- The research/innovation must have the potential to demonstrably improve health or has already proven to do so.
- The achievement is judged by a group of peers, including the scientific basis of the research or innovation, the potential impact on health and the dissemination of the research or innovation to a wider audience (e.g. publications, presentations or awards).
- Ability of the scientist or science team to communicate their research to a wide (lay) audience.
- Any cash award contribution must be spent in such a way to further advance science in the Waikato (e.g., paying to bring in an overseas expert, attending an international conference, visiting overseas research organisations, upskilling in a certain area, etc.) and winners must provide a letter to the Trust within 12 months of receipt of the award, detailing how the award was used.
- The awards will be paid to the individual or split equally between members of the team, unless otherwise agreed between the winner and the Hamilton Science Awards Trust.
Eligibility
- The nominee or team must have performed or directed the work described and it must have been performed in the last five years.
- The nominee or team must have recognised qualifications relative to the award being sought. A relevant science or health qualification is required.
- The recipient(s) must agree to give a nominated lecture or presentation to a high school or general audience, if requested.
- The recipient(s) must be prepared to interact with appropriate news media to publicise the research on which the award is based and science in general.
- The winner(s) does not have to be a New Zealand citizen or resident.
- While previous years’ outright winners in this award category are encouraged to reapply, they cannot put forward the same piece of work in support of this year’s award.
- Previous runners-up in this award category are encouraged to reapply and may re-submit a piece of work already submitted for consideration in past years.
- The nominee or team can be self-nominated or nominated by another party who is familiar with the scientist’s work.
- If the scientist or team is being nominated by another party, that party must be confident all eligibility criteria can be met, including the nominee’s or team’s willingness to be available for public and media interaction as per the above.