The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Research for 2026 opened Wednesday 1 July. These awards recognise, reward and encourage excellence in research as well as excellence in research impact and engagement across all Colleges.

Applications close 5pm Sunday 30 August.

The suite of awards comprises the following six categories:

1. Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Early Career Researchers
This award recognises and values the outstanding contribution to the University of individual Early Career Researchers, embarking on their research career. Up to five of these awards can be made each year.

2. Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Mid-Career Researchers
This award recognises and values the outstanding contribution to the University of individual Mid-Career Researchers. Up to five of these awards can be made each year.

3. Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Leadership
This award recognises and values the outstanding contribution to the University of individual researchers who have demonstrated leadership in their research field and have had a major contribution in advancing knowledge and research outcomes. Up to three of these awards can be made each year.

4. Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Impact and Engagement (Early Career Researcher)
This award recognises individual Early Career Researchers whose research has shown considerable impact outside of the academic community in the preceding three years. Up to two of these awards can be made each year.

5. Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Impact and Engagement (Mid-Career Researcher)
This award recognises individual Mid-Career Researchers whose research has shown considerable impact outside of the academic community in the preceding three years. Up to two of these awards can be made each year.

6. Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Impact and Engagement (Research Team)
This award recognises and encourages outstanding research teams whose research has achieved considerable impact outside of the academic community in the preceding three years. Only one of these awards can be made each year.

For more information including the award guidelines and application details, please visit the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards for Research web page.

If you need any further information or clarification, please contact Dr Jen Beaudry (Manager, Researcher Training, Development and Communication) or email researcher.development@flinders.edu.au