Nominations are now open for bright young scientists and researchers to apply for the Young Tall Poppy Science Awards. The Awards are run by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science which initiated the program in 1998.

The Awards are made on a state-by state basis and are targeted at researchers between 28 - 40 years old. The NSW Awards are supported by the NSW Office for Science and Medical Research and aim to recognise outstanding achievements in the sciences including physical, biomedical, applied sciences, engineering and technology. Selection criteria include scholarship, research and community engagement in the understanding and promotion of science.

Award winners to date have come from fields as diverse as cancer research, mental health, environmental engineering and information technology. Nominations are welcome from all types of organisations, including universities, research institutes, government agencies and industry.

The Tall Poppy Campaign also involves educational information programs for schools and the development of educational resource materials. Through the Young Tall Poppies Reaching Kids program, the award recipients visit schools to talk to students about science, in consultation with departments of education, science teachers' associations, and individual schools.

Nominations for the 2007 Young Tall Poppy Science Awards close on 17 August 2007. The awards will be presented at Parliament House on 18 October 2007.