2026 SMI HDR Memorial Awards

The SMI Memorial Awards recognise outstanding contributions and innovative research by Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students within SMI and the broader UQ community. This year’s ceremony will be held in conjunction with the SMI Higher Degree by Research Conference, taking place on the final day of the program as a celebratory close to this flagship student event.

The Awards program will feature presentations from each of the winners, student poster displays, and valuable networking opportunities with HDR students.

AWARDS PROGRAM

The Sustainable Minerals Institute  (SMI) is fortunate to have received several bequests and donations, which enables us to support students during their research studies.

This year's awards include:

• The WMC2023 Scholarship available to UQ postgraduate students in a field related to responsible mining and mineral resources development, who have a clear need for financial support.
• Michael F Young Memorial Prize established to support a research student from SMI's Julius Kruttschnitt Research Centre (JKMRC) to travel to another university or research centre to enhance their experience.
• Alban and Barbara Lynch Award - to support the development of an exceptional SMI student facing financial need or disadvantage. 
• Dan Alexander Memorial Prize - to support SMI research students to seed fund the commercialisation of their research.
• Ian Morley Prize - awarded to a research student from the WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre (BRC) or Julius Kruttschnitt Research Centre (JKMRC) on the basis of academic achievement, work experience, leadership and contribution to the life of the Centre.
• Bill Whiten Memorial Prize - to support a research student engaging in process control and model development at UQ to complete their thesis or participate in a local or international conference.  
• Dee Bradshaw Travel Scholarship - to support a mineral processing research student travel to an approved international institution to develop their research capabilities and experience.