UPDATE (5 December 2019): What a blast! We had a fantastic evening at the Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2019 award ceremony at the Science Centre Singapore. Click here for photos on what went down. Once again, congratulations and huge thank you to all participants of the Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2019.

Stay tune for updates on the next competition!

UPDATE (13 November 2019): The results are finally in! To date, all winners for the Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2019 have been contacted. We are now gearing up for the award ceremony that will take place on 4 December 2019 at the Science Centre in Singapore. For the first time, attendees will have a chance to hear from three writers about the inspiration behind their winning essays. All participants are invited to attend the award ceremony; please email [email protected] to RSVP. Thank you once again for participating in the Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2019.

UPDATE (7 November 2019): We’re getting warmer! It’s been a month since submissions to the Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2019 competition has ended and the results are almost here. Winners for the Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2019 will be contacted very soon so hold on to your phones because you just might be the one. Don’t forget to join us at the award ceremony on 4 December 2019 for an unforgettable evening. Watch this space for more updates!

UPDATE (7 October 2019): Shoutout to all our enthusiastic participants! Submissions for the Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2019 has ended and we’re excited to dive into all 450 entries!

Over the next few weeks, our judging panel will be reviewing the entries. Stay close to your phones because we’ll be contacting all winners directly to deliver the good news. All participants are encouraged to join us at the award ceremony which will take place on 4 December 2019 with our guest-of-honour, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. Watch this space for more updates coming your way!

UPDATE (18 September 2019): Great news! Due to numerous requests, the deadline for submissions to the Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2019 has been extended by two weeks to 6 October 2019. So keep calm and keep on writing!

The Asian Scientist Writing Prize is back by popular demand! Co-organized by Science Centre Singapore and Asian Scientist Magazine, the competition seeks to find best science writing from Asia.

The theme of this year’s competition is STEM and Sustainability in Asia. STEM refers to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2019 will run from July 22, 2019 to October 06, 2019 (extended by two weeks from 22 September 2019). Winners will receive their prizes at an award ceremony held at the end of the year.

Prizes

The organizers invite non-fiction entries in the 1,000-1,500 word count range covering any scientific discipline that address the theme STEM and Sustainability in Asia. Anyone based in Asia is welcome to submit an entry, and no professional qualifications are necessary.

Winners will receive attractive prizes including prize money, a certificate of recognition, and publication in Asian Scientist Magazine. Prizes are as follows:

ASWP 2019 Prizes:
1st Prize: S$5,000 + a 3D/2N stay at Banyan Tree Bintan
2nd Prize: S$3,000
3rd Prize: S$2,000

Science Centre Singapore Youth Writing Prizes (13-18 age group):
1st Prize: S$500
2nd Prize: S$300
3rd Prize: S$200

World Scientific Publishing Merit Prizes:
10 Merit Prizes: S$500 World Scientific Publishing book vouchers

Entry Guidelines

Entries should be:

  1. Submitted in English only
  2. Non-fiction
  3. Written specifically for this competition. Only original and unpublished work will be accepted
  4. Between 1,000-1,500 words in length
  5. Written by a single author and not a collaborative effort

 Formatting guidelines:

  1. Typewritten, with the pages numbered
  2. Include title and word count

Eligibility:

  1. Individuals who reside and/or work in Asia
  2. No professional qualifications are necessary, and students are welcome to apply
  3. The Prize is not open to full-time employees of Wildtype Media Group Pte Ltd, World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd or Science Centre Singapore

Selection Criteria & Judging

Competition theme:

The theme for ASWP 2019 is STEM and Sustainability in Asia. Topics that fall under this theme include (but are not limited to):

  1. Pollution control (e.g. biodegradable plastics)
  2. Renewable energy (e.g. biofuels; solar energy)
  3. Food security (e.g. alternative sources of protein; CRISPR gene editing)
  4. Waste management (e.g. Internet of Things)

Selection criteria:

Entrants are encouraged to write in an aspirational manner on the theme STEM and Sustainability in Asia. The panel will seek the following criteria in the winning entries:

  1. Enjoyable and accessible writing style
  2. Appreciation for science
  3. Technical accuracy
  4. Relevance to Asia
  5. Winners of ASWP 2017 for reference:

    1. Blue Noise (1st Prize)
    2. The Red Tides Of Death: A Deadly Tale Of Harmful Algal Blooms (2nd Prize)
    3. Illuminating The Deep, Dark World Of Subterranean Ants (3rd Prize)

    Panel of judges:

    Entries will be judged by a panel chaired by the editor-in-chief of Asian Scientist Magazine, Dr. Juliana Chan. The panel will comprise of senior scientists and journalists representing diverse scientific backgrounds.

Terms & Conditions

  1. The Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2019 (“Prize”) is open to people aged 13 and over (“Entrant”).
  2. The Prize is not open to full-time employees of Wildtype Media Group Pte Ltd, World Scientific Publishing Co Pte Ltd, or Science Centre Singapore.
  3. Entries on behalf of another person will not be accepted and joint submissions are not allowed.
  4. Entrants must reside and/or work in one of the following countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam (“Asia”). Entrants who cannot produce reasonable evidence of residence or work in Asia will be disqualified.
  5. No responsibility is taken for entries that are lost, delayed, misdirected or incomplete or cannot be delivered or entered for any technical or other reason.
  6. Each prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable, and where applicable, not redeemable for cash or other prizes.
  7. Wildtype Media Group Pte Ltd and Science Centre Singapore (the “Organizers”) accept no responsibility for any costs associated with participating in or accepting the Prize, including, without limitation, personal expenses, insurance, travel and transfers.
  8. The Organizers accept no responsibility and disclaims any liability for any damage, loss, injury or death incurred or suffered as a result of participating in or accepting the Prize.
  9. Winners will be notified by e-mail. In the event the winners cannot be contacted within seven (7) days of the first notification attempt, the prize may be forfeited and no compensation will be given.
  10. The Prize begins at 12:00:01 am Singapore Time on July 22, 2019 and ends at 11:59:59 pm Singapore Time on October 06, 2019.
  11. The judges’ decision will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into. The Organizers reserve the right not to award a Prize if the Entries do not meet the requirements.
  12. By entering, each Entrant warrants and represents the following with respect to their Entry:
  13. — 12.1 The Entry is 100% original and Entrant is the sole and exclusive owner of the material;
    — 12.2 The Entry will not infringe on or conflict with the copyright, trademark, trade secret or any other personal or proprietary right of any other party;
    — 12.3 The Entrant shall be liable and provide compensation in the event of any action, claim or proceedings brought against the Organizers by a third party as a result of infringement of existing copyright caused by the Entrant in participation to the competition.
    — 12.4 Entry into the competition constitutes the Entrant’s irrevocable permission, at no additional compensation or consideration, for the Organizers or their affiliates to reproduce the Entrant’s entry in scientific or promotional communications including, but not limited to, Asian Scientist Magazine and the Best of Science Writing from Asia.

  14. This competition is being run by Wildtype Media Group Pte Ltd, Blk 71 Ayer Rajah Crescent, Singapore 139951; and Science Centre Singapore, 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081.
  15. The Organizers reserve the right to amend the rules of the Prize at any time without prior notice.
  16. The Prize will be governed by the laws of the Republic of Singapore.
  17. Entry into the Prize is acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.

Contact & Submission

All entries are to be submitted via http://bit.ly/ASWP2019.

Submission guidelines:

  1. The Prize will open on July 22, 2019 and the deadline for submissions is October 6, 2019 (extended by two weeks from 22 September 2019).
  2. Entries should be submitted as a word or text document to http://bit.ly/ASWP2019
  3. You will be contacted only if there are additional materials or information needed. If your contact information changes after submission, please inform us at [email protected].

Contact information:

Asian Scientist Writing Prize Secretariat
Blk 71, Ayer Rajah Crescent, Singapore 139951
Tel: (+65) 6909-2279
Email: [email protected]

Past Competitions

ASWP 2017 award ceremony

The Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2017 award ceremony was graced by our guest of honour, Singapore Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung. The full list of winners can be found here, while event photos are available our Facebook page.

Here’s a video clip of the award ceremony highlights:

ASWP 2015 award ceremony

The inaugural edition of the Asian Scientist Writing Prize was graced by our guest of honour, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat. The full list of winners can be found here, while event photos are available our Facebook page.

Here’s a video clip of the award ceremony highlights:

Supporting Partners