Vote for your favourite finalist

2026 People’s Choice Awards
Voting is now open - have your say!

Australia’s universities are home to some of the nation’s best and brightest, helping solve problems, create opportunities and improve lives across the country.

From breakthrough AI technology to innovations protecting native fish, supporting Aboriginal families and inspiring future space explorers, this year’s fifteen finalists showcase the real-world impact of university-led initiatives. 

Voting is now live. Explore the finalists across our three categories, and vote for the initiatives making a difference in communities across Australia.

Problem Solver Award

Recognising research that has transformed the lives of Australians for the better

Future Builder Award

Celebrating individuals or teams equipping students with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to succeed

Community Champion Award

Honouring those who have demonstrated a deep and lasting commitment to their communities

Vote for your favourite finalist
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Key dates

Entries are closed for the 2026 Shaping Australia Awards.

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Days
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1

Entries open

22 June 2026

2

Entries close

Tuesday, 1 September 2026

3

People’s choice voting opens

Wednesday, 4 November 2026

4

People’s choice voting closes

Tuesday, 19 January 2027

5

Winners announced

Wednesday, 24 February 2027 at the UA annual Summit dinner at Parliament House, Canberra

Meet our 2025 winners

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Targeted hope: redefining treatment for pancreatic cancer

University of Wollongong

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Step Up Into Teaching: opening doors to a new generation of teachers

Australian Catholic University

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CDU free tax clinic

Charles Darwin University

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ACEMID: revolutionising early detection and the fight against melanoma

The University of Queensland, Monash University and The University of Sydney

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Affiliated Schools Program: redefining teacher education through partnership

University of Canberra

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Transforming access for Deaf and Deafblind Australians

Monash University

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Coffee-infused concrete breaks

"Receiving the Shaping Australia Award has significantly elevated our project's visibility, resulting in partnership inquiries from local and international companies across the construction sector, waste recycling industry, and businesses recycling solutions for their organic waste streams.The prestigious recognition has legitimized our coffee biochar concrete innovation, opening doors to funding opportunities and accelerating our pathway to commercial implementation."

Dr Rajeev Roychand, RMIT University
Problem Solver - People's choice winner

Saving our cereals

"We received some amazing media coverage, the partnership with the Australian newspaper was fantastic in spreading the word, which led to me doing a live prime time radio interview on ABC 702. That interview in turn resulted in me being contacted by quite a few people who wanted to know more about the work we do."

Professor Robert Park, The University of Sydney
Problem Solver winner

Delivering the future of our space sector

"I was genuinely honoured that our team’s work was recognised through the Shaping Australia Awards. National awards like this matter—they shine a light on the complex, often quiet work of capability-building that underpins our national resilience. Being recognised by respected leaders across the sector has raised the visibility of GEMBA and reinforced the value of the global collaboration it represents. Whether it’s through our partnerships with Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Exeter, major defence primes or government agencies across AUKUS nations, this program is a shared effort—and the award has helped highlight just how important that shared effort is."

Professor Lan Snell, The University of South Australia
Future Builder - People's choice winner

2023 Shaping Australia Awards is now closed.
We will open later this year for 2024. Stay tuned.