The prize is open to current PhD students and Early Career Researchers (ECRs), who have conferred their PhD within the last two years of the submission closing date. Nominees must have previously attended at least one AusSTS conference. For published manuscripts, there are no limitations on which journals are eligible. Nominations are accepted from authors, AusSTS members, and journal editors. Unpublished article-length manuscripts and articles/chapters first published in 2024 and 2025 and eligible for the AusSTS 2026 Best Paper Prize.

The award will be assessed by the prize committee according to the following criteria:‍

• Exceptional scholarly contribution: The manuscript’s potential to make a significant, exciting, or original contribution to the field of STS
• Rigour and argumentation: Successful manuscripts will demonstrate convincing and well-supported argumentation, and where relevant a robust empirical foundation
• Unique style and voice: Where relevant, original, effective, or creative structure and voice

Nominations must be submitted via the application form and should include:

• A manuscript, published or unpublished, of no more than 12,000 words (including references); 
• One paragraph contextualising the work, e.g. noting the author’s career stage, ambition for the text, and any feedback the text has benefited from to date (for example, peer review). For co-authored manuscripts, include a brief explanation of the applicant’s contribution to the work.

Applications for the 2026 prize will open 2 March and close 10 April.

Nominations must be submitted via the application form and should include:

• Are thesis chapters eligible for nomination?
  Yes, book chapters, thesis chapters, articles, and other manuscripts (published or unpublished) are eligible for nomination. Manuscripts must be no longer than 12,000 words (including references).
• Can I nominate more than one manuscript?
  No, only one manuscript will be accepted per nominee in each prize round. However, scholars can be nominated in multiple years (i.e. if you are nominated in 2026, you can also be nominated again in 2027).
• I graduated more than 2 years ago, can I still be nominated for the prize?
  Unfortunately, no. The prize is targeted at junior scholars who are still enrolled or have graduated within two years of the submission closing date.
• Are co-authored manuscripts eligible for nomination?
  Yes, but the nominee must be the lead author of the manuscript and details on the nature of the collaboration must be included in the contextualising paragraph on submission.