Early to mid-career women in STEM across Australia now have a powerful new platform to showcase their contributions, with the launch of the Marie Krogh Young Women in Science Prize.
The prize, established by Novo Nordisk, honours the life and legacy of Dr Marie Krogh (1874–1943). Dr Krogh was a pioneering Danish physician, one of the first women in Denmark to earn a medical doctorate, and co-developer of early insulin treatment protocols alongside her husband, Nobel Laureate August Krogh. Living with diabetes herself, Dr Krogh's work helped transform the disease from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition, laying the foundations for the medical advances that continue today.
Women remain underrepresented in STEM in Australia, making up just 37 per cent of university enrolments and 15 per cent of the workforce>. The Marie Krogh Prize aims to change that story by shining a national spotlight on the achievements of early to mid-career women in science and medicine, and by providing both recognition and tangible support.
The prize carries a $50,000 award for the winner, with seven finalists each receiving $5,000. Beyond financial support, finalists will be inducted into the Marie Krogh Alumni network.
Winners and finalists will be honoured at a Parliament House reception and awards dinner in Canberra in November 2025, where Professor Kathryn North AC, Director of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, will deliver the inaugural Marie Krogh Oration.
“Supporting the next generation of women in science and medicine isn’t just about equity, it’s about excellence,” said Professor North. “The Marie Krogh Prize highlights the kind of innovation and leadership that drives meaningful change in health outcomes, and I’m honoured to help recognise these future leaders.”
Applications will be assessed by an esteemed panel, comprised of Novo Nordisk's Dr Ana Svensson, Dr Robyn Littlewood, the CEO of Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Dr Rolf Gomes, Founder of the Heart of Australia, and Professor Sharon Goldfeld AM, the Director of the Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children’s Hospital, and Theme Director of Population Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.
Novo Nordisk said the prize is also a way of continuing Marie Krogh’s legacy. “Her pioneering work in human metabolism and diabetes laid the foundations for Novo Nordisk’s commitment to improving the lives of people with serious chronic diseases through science,” said Dr Ana Svensson. “By elevating the voices and work of early to mid-career researchers who are driving innovation and improving health outcomes, we aim to contribute to an environment where women in STEM are not an outlier, but celebrated as significant contributors to Australia’s medical innovation.”