Nominations open for 2011 Victoria Prize

Nominations for the Victoria Prize and early-career Victoria Fellowships have opened today.

The Victoria Prize will net $50,000 for their contributions to science or innovation, with the research institute supporting the winner receiving $100,000 through the Anne and Eric Smorgon Memorial Award.

Past Victoria Prize recipients worked on innovations such as the world’s first zero waste technology for the plastics and car industry, the treatment of heart disease, the discovery of a new class of anti-influenza virus drugs and the development of the world's first plastic bank note.

Six Victoria Fellowships worth $18,000 will also be awarded to early-career professionals to undertake specialist training overseas.

Applications close 3 August 2011.

For more information visit www.business.vic.gov.au/vicprizeor www.business.vic.gov.au/vicfellows.