Prizes for projects that practice or preserve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems

A national prize that awards $250,000 (plus a medallion, lapel pin and certificate) to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander-led project that benefits Australian Indigenous peoples, communities or place by contributing to solving a significant challenge through the practice and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems.

Nominees must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Nominees can be an individual, members of a team, or representatives of a community group.

Nominees must be practising Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems as part of an Indigenous-led project that benefits Australian Indigenous peoples, communities or place and contributes to solving a significant challenge through the practice and preservation of those knowledge systems.

Nominees do not need a qualification, membership of a professional association, or prior awards to be eligible.

At least one supporter for the nomination must be an Indigenous person from the community or place associated with the knowledge system being practised.

For community group nominations, up to 4 Indigenous representatives can be named.

Stage 1 requires a written response to the assessment criteria (up to 790 words / ~4500 characters), a two-page written description of the nominee's background (use the provided template), and contact details for two supporters (one Indigenous).

Stage 2 (invited shortlisted nominations) requires more detailed responses to assessment criteria (no more than 9000 characters in total or an audio/video ~10 minutes), 2 supporter statements (written on template ~6000 characters total or audio/video ~7 minutes), and any necessary attachments as outlined in the guidelines.

Nominations are submitted via the Grants Portal linked from business.gov.au/knowledge systems prize.

Stage 2 opens 2026-03-31 and closes 2026-04-23.