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User Meeting 2026 - Awards

Australian Synchrotron Awards and Medals

To recognise the outstanding achievements of the Australian Synchrotron Research Community, the User Advisory Committee (UAC) will be awarding two Australian Synchrotron Research Awards in 2026.  Nominations are also invited for the 2026 ANSTO Australian Synchrotron Lifetime Contribution and the Stephen Wilkins Thesis Medals.  To apply for any of these awards, follow the links within this page.  Applications for all awards will close on Thursday August 27th at 11:59pm AEST

Click here to see the previous years Australian Synchrotron User Meeting 2025 award recipients.

ECR Award

Awarded annually to a researcher with (as of November 30 of the relevant year) up to 5 years full-time equivalent career experience since graduating from their PhD (career interruptions will be considered). The awardee will have demonstrated significant research outcomes from the Australian Synchrotron evidenced by their publication record and international standing within their field.  The award will consist of a framed certificate and travel support of up to $500 to attend the Australian Synchrotron User Meeting 2026. The awardee must be available to present a talk on their research during a plenary session at the User Meeting.  The application criteria for this award is available here.

The application will consist of:

  • Completed application form
  • Reference letter (maximum 2 pages) 

 Self-nominations are allowed.

MCR Award

Awarded annually to a researcher with (as of November 30 of the relevant year) between 5 and 15 years full-time equivalent career experience since graduating from their PhD (career interruptions will be considered). The awardee will have demonstrated significant research outcomes from the Australian Synchrotron evidenced by their publication record and international standing within their field.  The award will consist of a framed certificate and travel support of up to $500 to attend the Australian Synchrotron User Meeting 2026. The awardee must be available to present a talk on their research during a plenary session at the User Meeting.  The application criteria for this award is available here.  

The application will consist of:

  • Completed application form
  • Reference letter (maximum 2 pages) 

 Self-nominations are allowed.

Lifetime Contribution Medal

For outstanding leadership in synchrotron research and contribution to the Australian synchrotron community.  Awarded every 2 years to an individual who has demonstrated sustained outstanding outcomes from synchrotron-based techniques and has made significant contributions to the Australian synchrotron community. 

The application will consist of:

  • Completed application form

The award will consist of a medal and travel support up to $500 to attend the Australian Synchrotron User Meeting 2026. The awardee must be available to present a talk on their research during a plenary session at the User Meeting.  The application criteria for this award is available here. 

Self-nominations are not permitted.

Swilkins

Stephen Wilkins Thesis Medal

This medal is awarded annually to the PhD student at an Australian or New Zealand University who is judged to have completed the most outstanding thesis of the past two years whose work was undertaken at and acknowledges the Australian Synchrotron, or whose work acknowledges and was undertaken under the auspices of the International Synchrotron Access Program (ISAP).

For more information
certificate

Student Awards

Poster Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the best posters presented by students at the meeting. The winners will be selected by a judging panel after reviewing students posters.  All student posters presented at the meeting are automatically eligible for these prizes.  

Presentation Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the best student oral presentations at the meeting. A judging panel will select the winners after evaluating the students' presentations. All student presentations at the meeting are automatically eligible for these prizes.

The judging committee for the Early-career and Mid-career Research Awards consist of:

User Meeting 2026 judging panel

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