Student Innovation Awards
Accelerate your idea, career or research
Hosted by the Innovation Hub, the Student Innovation Awards recognise University of Sydney students' innovative solutions for real-world impact.
These awards recognise student-led projects that offer solutions and drive positive impact by addressing current social, developmental, economic or environmental challenges through innovative ideas, transformative research and interdisciplinary collaborations.
This is a great opportunity to showcase and receive recognition for innovative solutions to real-world challenges.
2022 categories include:
Student Innovation Award for Social Impact: $5,000 prize
This award recognises innovative student projects that have the potential to drive a positive social impact in the wider community.
Student Innovation Award for Planetary Impact: $5,000 prize
This award recognises innovative student projects that have the potential to creative positive environmental impact.
Student Innovation Award for Interdisciplinary Impact: $5,000 prize
This award recognises interdisciplinary student projects that have the potential to lead to innovative real-world applications.
Student Innovation Award for Research Impact: $5,000 prize
This award recognises research projects that have the potential to lead to innovative real-world applications.
The Award for Research Impact is sponsored by the Sydney Knowledge Hub and includes a three month membership to the University's coworking space for innovative businesses seeking to collaborate with the University.
People’s Choice Prize: $1,000 1st prize and $500 2nd prize
Shortlisted teams in each category will have the chance to win the People’s Choice Prize which is decided by an online public vote.
Applications for the Student Innovation Awards will open on 25 July 2022. Download the Award Criteria (pdf, 140kb) prior to beginning your application.
Eligibility and application requirements
- Applications can be submitted as an individual or team.
- The individual submitting the application must be a currently enrolled student. Team applications must be submitted by a nominated team leader who is a currently enrolled student.
- Enrolment can be part time or full time.
- Both domestic and international students are eligible.
- Teams applying for the Student Innovation Award for Interdisciplinary Impact should be undertaking at least two sperate degrees. Teams currently undertaking the same degree are eligible if they can demonstrate that their expertise has been gained from at least two separate previously undertaken degrees. Teams should clearly articulate how their different disciplinary backgrounds have contribute to their idea in their application.
- Individuals or teams applying for the Research Impact Award should be undertaking HDR (which includes MPhil and PhD), Honours or postgraduate capstone research projects.
- If shortlisted, at least one member of your team must be available to pitch at an appointed time and attend the exhibition and awards evening on 27 October.
Students should submit their application via the online platform. Applications will open Monday 25 July 2022.
- Complete the online registration form.
- Students can nominate which award they would like to be considered for. Multiple categories can be selected. Only one application is required. Please check the eligibility requirements for each award.
- Applications should include a team photo (high resolution; 1080 x 1080).
- All selection criteria should be addressed.
- Upload a 2-minute pitch. This can be a video or animated presentation. You will need to upload your video via a URL link (eg. unlisted YouTube video, Vimeo).
