The NZIC offers a number of prizes and awards. Each has its own criteria. The application deadline for all prizes and awards is 30th June of the year in which it is offered.
Enquiries about the prizes and awards, eligibility of applicants or the process should be directed to the NZIC Adminstrator.
Nominations for the 2024 Prizes are now open.
The prizes and awards are made by the NZIC Council, on the recommendation of a Selection Committee. The final decision on the award will be made by vote of the Council. The Selection Committees will comprise three (3) members of the NZIC Council, including one executive member (where there is no conflict of interest), and one past awardee. Conflicts of interest will be mitigated such that co-authors, supervisors/mentors, or departmental colleagues of nominees will not serve on the Selection Committee. Every effort will be made to have a diverse Selection Committee in terms of chemistry sub-discipline, gender and other considerations. The Selection Committee may co-opt one suitable person from industry if required. The Selection Committee will make a recommendation to the NZIC Council. All application materials for all awards will remain confidential to the Selection Committee.
The Easterfield award takes the form of a medal was donated by the Royal Institute of Chemistry (now the Royal Society of Chemistry) in honour of the late Sir Thomas Hill Easterfield KBE MZ (Cantab) PhD (Wurzburg) FRSNZ FRIC HonFNZIC who was well known for his contribution in the field of chemistry and will be remembered particularly for the inspiration and encouragement he gave his students during the many years he was Professor of Chemistry at Victoria University College and for his infectious enthusiasm for chemical research. Sir Thomas was the first chairman of the New Zealand section of the Royal Institute of Chemistry and also one of the early Presidents of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC). It is therefore fitting and in accordance with the wishes of the Council of the Royal Society of Chemistry that the two should act in association.
Applications for this award containing the information below must be received in electronic format by the NZIC (form) by the 30th June in the year of the award. Note that letters of support are NOT required.
Recent recipients of the Easterfield Award
2023 | Dr Brendon Gill | Waikato |
2021 | Dr Anna Garden | Otago |
2019 | Dr Bill Hawkins | Otago |
2017 | Dr Sally Gaw | Canterbury |
2015 | Dr Justin Hodgkiss | Wellington |
2013 | Dr James Crowley | Otago |
2011 | Dr Bridget Stocker | Wellington |
2009 | Dr Richard Tilley | Wellington |
2007 | Dr Jadranka Travis-Sejdic | Auckland |
This is the premier prize of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry (NZIC) and is awarded to a candidate based on the excellence and impact of their chemistry.
Applications for this award containing the information below must be received in electronic format by the NZIC (form) by the 30th June in the year of the award. Note that letters of support are NOT required.
Recent recipients of the Maurice Wilkins Centre Prize
2024 | Prof David Barker | Auckland |
2023 | Prof Emily Parker | Wellington |
2022 | Prof. David Larsen | Otago |
2021 | Prof. Martyn Coles | Wellington |
2020 | Assoc. Prof. Geoff Waterhouse | Auckland |
2019 | Prof. Justin Hodgkiss | Wellington |
2018 | Prof. Antony Fairbanks | Canterbury |
2017 | Assoc. Prof. James Crowley & Prof. Jadranka Travas-Sejdic | Otago & Auckland |
2016 | Dr Christian Hartinger | Auckland |
2015 | Dr Shane Telfer | Massey |
2014 | Dr Peter Tyler | Wellington |
The Industrial and Applied Chemistry Prize was first awarded in 1978 to encourage and support applied chemical research in New Zealand. The prize will be awarded for meritorious achievement in the field of industrial or applied chemistry.
Applications for this award containing the information below must be received in electronic format by the NZIC (form) by the 30th June in the year of the award.
Recent recipients of the Industrial and Applied Chemistry Prize
2024 | Prof Shane Telfer | Manawatu |
2023 | not awarded | |
2022 | Prof Lyall Hanton | Otago |
2021 | Dr Brendon Gill | Waikato |
2020 | Prof. Justin Hodgkiss & Dr Kai Chen | Wellington |
2019 | Prof. Russell Frew | Otago |
2018 | Mr Darren Saunders | Canterbury |
2017 | Prof. Cather Simpson | Auckland |
2016 | Dr Carla Meledandri | Otago |
2015 | Dr Phillip Rendle & Dr Paul Benjes | Wellington |
This award was created to support researchers in New Zealand at an early stage of their independent career. The awardee is expected to have made outstanding contributions to the development of chemistry in New Zealand, in either academia or industry.
Applications for this award containing the information below must be received in electronic format by the NZIC (form) by the 30th June in the year of the award.
Recent recipients of the ACES-NZIC Early Career Award
2024 | Dr Lisa Pilkington | Auckland |
2023 | Dr Cameron Weber | Auckland |
2022 | Dr Sara Miller | Otago |
The NZIC Denis Hogan award for Chemical Education, recognises excellence in teaching chemistry. The award shall be made to a person who has made an important contribution to Chemical Education in New Zealand. The award will normally be made to a secondary school teacher actively involved in teaching chemistry but tertiary level educators will also be considered.
Applications for this award containing the information below must be received in electronic format by the NZIC (form) by the 30th June in the year of the award. Note that letters of support are NOT required.
Recent recipients of the Denis Hogan Chemical Education Award
2024 | A/Prof Michele Prinsep |
2023 | Sarah Gaze |
2022 | A/Prof Sarah Masters |
2021 | Jo Standley |
2020 | Dr Murray Thompson |
2019 | Prof. Richard Hartshorn |
2018 | Dr David Warren |
2017 | Dr David McMorran & Graham Townsend |
2016 | Jan Wikaira |
2015 | Sheila Woodgate |
2014 | Suzanne Boniface |
2013 | Duncan Smith |
The Brian Halton Award is awarded for an outstanding paper in the field of chemistry published by a New Zealand University student.
Applications for this award containing the information below must be received in electronic format by the NZIC (form) by the 30th June in the year of the award.
Recent recipients of the Brian Halton Award
2024 | Dr James Bridson | Scion |
2023 | Calum Gordon | Victoria University of Wellington |
2022 | Matthew Evans | Victoria University of Wellington |
2021 | Qing Wang | University of Auckland |
2020 | Lynn Lisboa | University of Otago |
This prize is awarded to the student that gives the best oral talk or presentation at a New Zealand Institute of Chemistry national conference.