National Awards

Inspiration.

Recognition.

Prestige.

The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) promotes excellence in chemistry, supporting high standards, ethics, and achievement across all its branches.

Many distinguished members have endowed awards, medals, and prizes to recognise outstanding contributions in industry, academia, and research. The RACI also offers its own prestigious awards, celebrating excellence in chemistry, education, and service to the Institute.

Highly respected across the Australian chemical community, RACI awards recognise professional distinction and reflect the Institute’s commitment to fostering the highest standards in the field.

Embracing diversity stands as a fundamental value at RACI.

We actively encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented and diverse backgrounds to either apply for or be nominated for all RACI awards.

Apply or Nominate Here

The RACI National Awards are open annually from 1 April to 30 June. Applications are now being accepted.

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Early Career Chemists & Students

Catalyst Award*

C.S Piper Award*

Cornforth Medal*

Masson Memorial Award

RACI Postgraduate Student Travel Award

Rennie Memorial Medal*

Rita Cornforth Lectureship*

Link here

Education

Centenary of Federation Teaching - Team Award

Chemistry Educator of the Year Award

Fensham Medal*

Link here

Leadership

Applied Research & Innovation Award*

Chemical Service Award - Citation

Distinguished Fellowship

Fensham Medal*

Leighton Memorial Medal

Margaret Sheil Leadership Award*

Ochre Award

Weickhardt Medal

Link here

Research and Innovation

ACES Lecture Award

Applied Research & Innovation Award*

Catalyst Award*

Cornforth Medal*

C.S Piper Award*

H.G. Smith Memorial Award

RACI Welcome Award

Rennie Memorial Medal*

Link here

Women in Chemistry

Rita Cornforth Lectureship*

Margaret Sheil Leadership Award*

Vicki Gardiner Advocacy Award

Link here

*Features in multiple categories

  



We encourage you to apply, nominate, and share this information with individuals whom you believe deserve recognition.

Please keep in mind that nominations should align with the principles outlined in the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), and our award adjudicators will assess a diverse array of output measurements.

For awards that establish career timeframes as criteria, we will utilise the ARC’s Research Opportunity and Performance Evidence parameters [ROPE] to evaluate any career interruptions encountered, including those stemming from Covid regulations.

2025 National Award Winners

2024 National Award Winners

2023 National Award Winners

2022 National Award Winners

Discover More Awards

Our Branch awards honour and support the efforts and achievements of individuals across every State and Territory.

At a Divisional level, we recognise the contributions and achievements of individuals within each RACI Division.

Branch Awards

Division Awards

See our Award FAQs

Contact the Awards Team