Bestowed for a significant contribution bridging science, culture and technology between Australia and Spain made by one individual and by one organisation.
The Spanish Embassy in Canberra in collaboration with the Association of Spanish Researchers in Australia-Pacific (SRAP) are pleased to announce that the nominations for the 9th Malaspina Awards in the categories of Individual and Organisation are now open.
The Malaspina Awards are an honour bestowed by the Spanish Embassy in Canberra and the Association of Spanish Researchers in Australia-Pacific (SRAP) awarded to ONE individual and ONE organisation who have made an important contribution to the advancement of the relationships between the two countries in science, research, culture and/or technology.
These awards are named after Alejandro Malaspina who led the Spanish World Scientific Expedition 1789-1794. Renowned navigators, naturalists and scientists were part of Malaspina’s crew. They carried out studies in natural history, cartography, ethnography, astronomy, hydrography and medicine in Latin America, the Pacific and Australia. Less known are the painters and draughtsmen as well as writers and chroniclers that were part of that crew. Accompanying the scientists, their work was an essential tool for disseminating those scientific studies.
The 2026 awards will recognise outstanding contributions in all the fields of research, not only science and technology but also humanities, culture, art, and social sciences.
The ninth Malaspina Awards have been sponsored by Navantia Australia. The Spanish sculptor Óscar Martín de Burgos has designed the award’s statuettes. The prizes will be awarded at a special Science Diplomacy event at the Shine Dome of the Australian Academy of Science in Canberra, on October 31st. Nominations are open to any Australian or Spanish citizen and organisation registered in any of these two countries. The nomination of individuals can take place regardless of the country of residence. The Malaspina Awards Committee will be comprised of high representatives of the two organising institutions. Every tentative candidate should provide:
a) Full contact address, email, and webpage (if available) of the nominee
b) A statement letter with reasons for the nomination (See annex)
a. Impact of the contribution to the scientific cultural links between Spain and Australia [300 words]:
b. Excellence in your field – Personal, academic and/or cultural achievements [300 words]:
c. Future projection and commitment to promote bridges that enhance the scientific or cultural exchange [200 words]
c) CV (individuals) or the latest annual report (organisations) and any other relevant document supporting the nomination
d) Commitment to attend to the award ceremony in Canberra on Friday 15 may 11am.
Nominations should be forwarded to the Embassy of Spain and SRAP mailboxes from now until Friday 10th of April 2026 by 11.59pm (AEST time) through the following e-mails: malaspina.award@maec.es and malaspina.award@srap-ieap.org. A confirmation email will be sent to acknowledge the receipt of the application.
The winners will be contacted no later than Friday 17th of April 2026
Nomination template
Please send the completed form below and the candidate’s CV to the following email address:
malaspina.award@maec.es and malaspina.award@srap-ieap.org
Please use the following information in the subject of the email ‘Malaspina Award 2026 - [Name of the applicant]’. This form can be completed either in Spanish or in English.
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Applicant: Name.
Impact of the contribution to the cultural or scientific links between Spain and Australia [300 words]:
Excellence in your field – Personal, academic and/or cultural achievements [300 words]:
Future projection and commitment to promote bridges that enhance the cultural or scientific exchange [200 words]
Availability to attend the award ceremony in Canberra on Friday 15 May 11am-1pm.:
YES NO
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