Funding to foster creative and inquiry-based STEM learning in young people

You can apply if you:

• have an Australian business number (ABN)

And are one of the following entities:

• an entity, incorporated in Australia
• an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation registered under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
• an incorporated association
• an incorporated not for profit organisation
• a publicly funded research organisation (PFRO)
• a government or non-government vocational education and training (VET) provider as defined in section 14 of the grant opportunity guidelines.

You must also deliver the project through a collaborative partnership where:

• the partnership must be established prior to the submission of your application
• the partnership must include at least one partner organisation during the life of the project
• the partnering organisation/s must be active participants in the delivery of the project and not just beneficiaries of the proposed activities. 

You can’t apply if you are:

• an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s list of Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme
• an employer of 100 or more employees that has not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012)
• an individual/sole trader
• a partnership (distinct from a collaborative partnership as defined in the glossary of the grant opportunity guidelines)
• a school, including early childhood, primary and/or secondary school as defined in section 14  of the grant opportunity guidelines
• an unincorporated association
• a trust (however, an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust)
• a Commonwealth, state, territory or local government body (including government business enterprises)
• a non-corporate Commonwealth entity.

Partner with other organisations

You can partner with one or more other organisations that also meet the eligibility criteria. But you must decide who the lead organisation is.

The lead organisation must fill out the application form.

If we give your group the grant, the lead organisation:

• signs the grant agreement
• is responsible for making sure your group follows the rules in the grant agreement.

You must complete your project by 30 June 2028.

Your project must:

• be aimed at delivering STEM-related activities and events to meet the objectives and outcomes outlined in section 2.1 of the grant opportunity guidelines
• have at least 20% contribution towards eligible expenditure
• be for the benefit of students and youth under 18 years of age  
• include scientific, technological, engineering or mathematics experts, inventors, innovators or entrepreneurs to work with participants to gain practical knowledge and skills in design, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship
• include either new activities or an expansion to the applicant’s existing business as usual activities
• be collaborative in nature and include at least one collaborative partner organisation during the life of the project as per section 4.2 of the grant opportunity guidelines
• have at least $25,000 in eligible expenditure
• include eligible activities, such as:
  • interactive workshops
  • events relating to existing interactive exhibitions
  • hands-on participation from students and youth under 18 years of age
  • resources for participants to support the lasting impact of the funded activities.

You can apply for a grant between $20,000 and $100,000.

You can use this grant funding for:

• contractor costs
• labour costs (up to 30% of total project costs)
• labour on-costs (up to 30% of total labour costs). For details on how labour on-costs are calculated refer to Appendix A.3 of the grant opportunity guidelines.
• venue and equipment hire
• domestic travel (up to 20% of total project costs)
• tools and equipment such as science equipment, hammers, screwdrivers, and other ICT equipment, electronics, robotics, soldering irons and glue guns 
• consumable materials such as workbooks, chemicals, timber, nails, glue, foil, paper, matches, scissors, batteries, string, cardboard, wire, rulers, pliers, paperclips, duct tape, sticky tape, metal sheeting, plastic, wheels, plastic or metal piping, electronic and solar kits
• graphic design
• prizes and the hosting of competitions
• event advertising and promotion
• displays.