The University of Otago's internationally respected Dunedin Study has received the university's Research Group Award.
The 2016 award, which was presented at a function yesterday, is not made every year, but only when applicants are considered worthy of receiving it.
The award criteria require winners to show ``outstanding scholarly achievement that enhances the understanding, development and wellbeing of individuals and society'', including the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge.
Each award recognises achievement over the previous five years.
Award organisers said that a key factor in the Dunedin Study's win was the research group's ``outstanding record of publication'', including co-leaders Prof Richie Poulton and US-based Prof Terrie Moffitt, who had 200 refereed journal publications each.
The study had also had ``societal impact'' both in New Zealand and abroad.
Study researchers provided evidence to the Supreme Court in the United States in 2004, which had spared 72 inmates on death row for crimes committed before the age of 18.
The study also features in a year-long exhibition, called ``Slice of Life'', which has already attracted more than 60,000 visits to Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.
