Research is all about experiencing that 'light-bulb' moment.
It's connecting the dots, solving challenges, creating opportunities and – ultimately – enhancing communities and the nation. Every day, thousands of Australia's most talented researchers work in our universities to do these very things.
They bring us life-saving health advances, help us to better understand our society and contribute to world-leading innovation and technological breakthroughs.
Great inspiration comes from the opportunity to make a difference. Knowledge and initiative often starts on campus.
We want to celebrate this talent.
Universities Australia is searching for three emerging researchers who can tell the story of their brightest ideas and its impact.
Successful applicants in three unique categories will be awarded a range of great opportunities – from hands-on experience in Australia’s leading research newsroom to prize money.
Are you ready to Pitch it clever?
Entries for the 2022 competition have now closed.
The good news?
People’s Choice voting is open, and Australia’s emerging researchers need your help!
You can watch, vote for and share the pitch you think is most compelling here.
The more votes, the more chance of your favourite research pitch winning!
Meet the judges for the
Vice-Chancellors' Award
Get inspired
Each year we see hundreds of early-career researchers Pitch it clever – from explorations into advancing bionic hearing devices to supporting people experiencing mental health challenges.
This is your chance to place your brightest idea on the map.
Check out some of the successful pitches from previous years.
The next generation of batteries
Pitched by Diego Holanda Pereira de Souza. Winner of the 2021 Universities Australia award.
Let's modernise care for breast cancer survivors
Pitched by Anna Singleton. Winner of the 2020 People's Choice award.
A brigher future for bionic hearing
Pitched by Elise Ajay. Winner of the 2021 Vice Chancellors' award.
Using sound to make our machines better communicators
Pitched by Frederic Robinson. Winner of the 2020 Vice Chancellors' award.