Terms and Conditions

The Awards are open to all schools in Queensland. Below is a brief overview of each 2026 category. Please download the respective award category on the “Downloads” page for the details on eligibility criteria, selection criteria and more information about the awards.

  • Students must:
    • have completed Year 11 in a Queensland state or non-state school
    • have attained an A standard of achievement or equivalent in at least two Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) or other approved curriculum science, technology, engineering or mathematics General subjects in Year 11
    • be currently enrolled in at least two Year 12 QCAA or other approved curriculum science, mathematics, engineering or technology General subjects in a Queensland state or non-state school
    • demonstrate a commitment to deep learning in STEM that goes beyond school curriculum requirements and exhibits a well-developed plan to pursue a STEM pathway beyond school
  • Teachers must:
    • demonstrate consistently outstanding science or technology or engineering or mathematics teaching practices leading to improved student achievement and/or early learner engagement in STEM
    • develop highly innovative programs that foster students' and/or early learners' curiosity, imagination and enthusiasm leading to increased student and/or early learner engagement and participation in STEM
    • exhibit a deep commitment to building teacher and/or early years educator or community capability through the sharing of best practice in science or technology or engineering or mathematics education
  • School-based STEM Support Officers must:
    • demonstrate exemplary support (beyond typical duties) that assists teachers and enhances student learning in science or technology or engineering or mathematics
    • display enhanced knowledge of contemporary STEM practices
    • demonstrate a commitment to disseminating STEM information, practices and skills to other STEM support officers and teachers
  • Schools must:
    • demonstrate excellence in science or technology or engineering or mathematics curriculum and assessment
    • provide quality learning for all students in STEM, with a focus on science or technology or engineering or mathematics
    • use productive partnerships to enhance or extend the school science or technology or engineering or mathematics program
    • be committed to the ongoing building of teacher capability and professional development in science or technology or engineering or mathematics
  • Education partners must:
    • demonstrate a long-term commitment to increasing student participation and/or lifting student achievement through the fostering of curiosity, imagination, knowledge and enthusiasm for real-world science or technology or engineering or mathematics through schools
    • enhance teacher capability through professional development and experiences that allow teachers to engage with contemporary STEM procedures, pedagogies and/or experiences beyond the classroom environment

Award conditions

Applicants may be nominated by themselves or by another person. Previous Peter Doherty Award recipients are not eligible to apply. Applications should not be for projects or initiatives that are the same or similar to previously submitted applications unless the project or initiative is significantly enhanced or modified. All applications are to be endorsed by your principal, centre director or approved provider.

How the award is to be used

For students the award is to be used to:

  • undertake activities associated with tertiary STEM courses;
  • attend conferences, forums or events that will extend your experiences in STEM;
  • purchase equipment that can assist your learning and development in STEM; and/or
  • undertake research projects, including experience in a research laboratory.

For teachers and support officers, the award is to be used to:

  • assist you to undertake appropriate professional development activities acceptable to your principal and within the normal guidelines of your employing authority.

For schools and education partners, the award is to be used to:

  • assist in undertaking further STEM activities.

Attendance at the award ceremony

It is expected that the successful applicants will attend the awards ceremony. If required, travel and accommodation expenses will be paid by the Department of Education for the award recipients. For student awards the travel and accommodation expenses will also be paid for two accompanying adults if required.

Privacy

The Department of Education, through the State Schools Strategy Branch, is collecting your personal information for the nomination to the Peter Doherty Awards. This information will only be accessed by authorised employees within the department.

The purpose of this collection is for the communication of Peter Doherty Awards information.

If you do not provide your personal information, we will be unable to contact you with respect to the progress of the nomination and important information about the Awards.

By registering as an applicant for the Awards, you agree to your information being used for these purposes. Your personal information will be managed in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 and will not be used or disclosed for another purpose without your consent or unless authorised or required by law.

Information about how individuals can access and amend their personal information held by the department, together with information about how individuals can make a privacy complaint is available at https://qed.qld.gov.au/privacy.

Should the nomination be successful, further documentation regarding photography and videography and the use of the images taken will be sent and required to be completed and returned to the Peter Doherty Awards team.