2026 AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM EUREKA PRIZES WINNERS ANNOUNCED

More than 500 guests attend the glittering ceremony at Sydney Town Hall to celebrate 19 winners of the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, September 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- A marine heatwave forecasting system, a solar panel recycling solution, research helping remove the stigma from a common women’s health condition and a melanoma breakthrough were among the outstanding winners announced at the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes tonight.

Presented at Sydney Town Hall, the annual awards, now in their 36th year, recognised outstanding achievement across scientific research, innovation, leadership, science engagement and school science.

Winners include:

Professor Georgina Long AO, The University of Sydney and Melanoma Institute Australia, for pioneering melanoma research that has transformed treatment and survival outcomes.

Dr Jane Tiller, Monash University, for research and advocacy helping end genetic discrimination in life insurance.

Associate Professor Helen Paterson, The University of Sydney, for advancing how courts and police understand victim-survivor testimony in domestic and family violence cases.

Liam Mannix and William Davis for investigative articles revealing major scientific misconduct at leading research institutions.

Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay AO said the 2026 AM Eureka Prize winners showed how scientific excellence can turn bold ideas into practical benefits for all Australians.

“Outstanding science begins with curiosity, but its greatest impact is realised when investment in discovery improves lives. This year’s winners are tackling some of our greatest challenges: protecting our environment, advancing healthcare, informing public policy and inspiring the next generation of scientists,” Ms McKay said.

“World-changing discoveries do not happen overnight. They are built on years of dedication, collaboration and sustained investment. As we celebrate these remarkable Australians, we must also continue supporting the scientific capability that drives our prosperity, wellbeing and resilience as a nation.”

This year’s awards also highlighted the extraordinary contribution of women in Australian science, with 11 Eureka Prizes awarded to individual women or teams made up entirely or predominantly of women. The result recognises leadership and discoveries improving health, equity and scientific understanding, and underscores the importance of continuing to encourage women in STEM.

Distinguished Professor Maree Teesson AC was recognised twice, receiving both the University of Sydney Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science and the UNSW Eureka Prize for Societal Impact in Science as part of the OurFutures Vaping Program team.

Professor Georgina Long AO was awarded the Eureka Prize for Scientific Research, for her work in pioneering neoadjuvant immunotherapy and transforming melanoma care. She was awarded Australian of the Year in 2024, alongside Professor Richard Scolyer AO, making her the fifth Australian of the Year to have received a Eureka Prize, including Professor Tim Flannery AO, Professor Ian Frazer AC, Professor Alan Mackay-Sim AM and Professor Michelle Simmons.

Australian Museum researcher Dr Frank Köhler received the 2026 Australian Museum Research Institute Medal for his internationally significant work documenting Australia’s mollusc diversity.

“Dr Frank Köhler’s remarkable work revealing Australia’s mollusc diversity exemplifies the world-class research taking place at the Australian Museum. He has described more than 100 new species of land snail, expanding scientific understanding of Australia’s biodiversity and is a Principal Research Scientist at AMRI,” McKay said.

Now in its 36th year, the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes continue to recognise Australia’s most outstanding scientific achievements. Since it began, the Australian Museum has awarded more than $5 million in prize money while celebrating hundreds of the nation’s leading scientists, researchers, communicators and innovators, many of whom have achieved international success.

Read about all the winners at: australian.museum/get-involved/eureka-prizes/

Matt Fraser
Moxee Communications
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