We use cookies to give you a better experience on our website. Learn more about how we use cookies and how you can select your preferences.
Grants for 2027-30 National Science Week engagement activities
National Science Week Public Event Grants - National Science Week 2027 funding round
National Science Week Public Event Grants provides individuals and organisations with up to $20,000 to support the delivery of science engagement activities during National Science Weeks from 2027 to 2030, Australia’s major national celebration of science.
Closing date: Tuesday 6 October 2026 5:00pm AEDT Tue 6 Oct 2026 5:00pm AEDT
For open and close dates for National Science Weeks 2028, 2029 and 2030 see section 7.3 of the grant opportunity guidelines.
What do you get?
Grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 for public participation in National Science Week activities.
Who is this for?
Individuals and organisations.
About the program
National Science Week is Australia’s major national annual celebration of science and technology, occurring in August each year. National Science Week is run across Australia and provides the opportunity for wide public participation in activities and events across the nation.
The National Science Week Public Event Grants 2027-30 grant opportunity aims to support initiatives that enable inclusive and broad-based engagement with science by the public.
The objectives of the grant opportunity are to:
- inspire wide public participation in STEM, including groups historically underrepresented in STEM (as defined in the Glossary)
- provide an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Australian scientists to the world of knowledge
- encourage an interest in science pursuits among the general public
- encourage younger people to become fascinated by the world we live in
- encourage new and innovative ways of engaging with audiences.
The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are:
- increased national and international interest in Australian science
- improved critical engagement with key scientific issues by the public
- increased inspiration drawn from science and improved value of science as perceived by the public
- increased participation from groups historically underrepresented in STEM.
Up to $500,000 is available each year for National Science Week Public Event Grants from 2027 to 2030.
- The minimum grant amount is $5,000 per application.
- The maximum grant amount is $20,000 per application.
The National Science Week 2027 funding round accepts applications for events run during National Science Week 2027.
Check if you can apply
You can apply if you meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria are a set of rules that describe who we can consider for this grant. You can apply if you:
- are an eligible entity
- have an eligible project
- have eligible expenditure.
The rules are in the grant opportunity guidelines.
You can apply if you:
- are an individual 18 years of age or older or;
- have an Australian business number (ABN).
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)
- a Commonwealth government body (including non-corporate and corporate Commonwealth entities and Government Business Enterprises)
- a trust (however, an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust).
Partner with other organisations
You can partner with one or more other organisations to deliver the project. But you must decide who the lead organisation is.
The lead organisation must fill out the application form, be the main driver of the project and eligible to apply.
If your application is successful, the lead organisation:
- signs the grant agreement
- is responsible for making sure your group follows the rules in the grant agreement
- identifies all members of the proposed group and provides a letter of support from each project partner (as detailed in Section 7.2 of the grant opportunity guidelines). A template letter of support is located on this page under key documents
- has a formal arrangement in place with all parties prior to execution of the grant agreement.
You must complete your project four weeks following the end of the relevant National Science Week.
Your project must:
- be located in Australia
- directed towards a science-related activity that will be available to and cater to the wider public
- be conducted in Australia during the relevant National Science Week, or where appropriate, in the week before or after the relevant National Science Week
- address one or more of the following purposes:
- draw the nation’s attention towards the sciences
- spark broad interest and engagement in the sciences
- provide an opportunity for all Australians, including those historically underrepresented in the sciences, to participate in science events and activities
- foster partnerships between the public, research organisations and industry
- trial new and innovative science communication activities.
- be delivered in at least one of the following formats:
- an in-person event involving physical attendance
- an online event involving two-way audience participation or involvement.
National Science Week activities may involve school-aged participants, however, if an event is held at a school it must be open to the general public. We will consider your activity to be open to the general public where:
- the timing and location enables public attendance (e.g. outside school hours)
- it attracts people beyond students and parents/carers
- it is promoted to the broader community (not only through school channels)
- anyone can attend (e.g. through public registration or walk-ins).
Eligible National Science Week activities may include:
- events relating to existing exhibitions (including travelling exhibitions)
- cinema and theatre
- debates
- quizzes
- open days
- interactive presentations and workshops
- expos and fairs
- forums
- online events that include two-way audience participation or involvement, such as interactive virtual tours, online Q&As or online workshops
- field-based or guided activities
- citizen science participation activities
- public talks, panels and symposium-style events.
You can apply for a grant between $5,000 and $20,000 per application.
You can use this grant funding for:
- travel and accommodation
- external venue hire
- equipment hire
- catering limited to snacks and light refreshments (excluding alcohol)
- salaries and related expenses for presenters
- consumable materials used during your event
- tools that directly relate to the project
- prizes
- event advertising and promotion, including graphic design
- visual displays and signage for the event
- costs associated with a change in delivery method (for example, virtual tours and online streaming of events) if required
- bilingual and Auslan support, interpreting and translation costs
- development of video and online content in preparation for the event.
How to apply
Check if you’re ready to apply for a grant
Finding a suitable grant opportunity is just the start of the process to get funding. The application process can take time and effort. Understanding the entire process will help you be grant ready and may improve your chances of getting funding.
Use our checklist to find out what it takes to apply for a grant.
When you're ready to apply
When the online form is available, you must submit your application through the online portal:
- Create or log into your portal account.
- Follow the instructions to complete your application.
- Submit your application before the close date.
Make sure you include enough detail and supporting evidence in your application to help us decide whether to award you the grant.
Don’t submit the application until it’s complete. You can’t correct a mistake.
First we check that you meet the eligibility criteria. Then we assess your application against the assessment criteria.
The assessment criteria are a set of rules that describe how we must assess each application.
We give each criterion a certain number of points.
We’ll decide whether to award you the grant based on the total number of points we give your application.
- Assessment criterion 1: The reach and impact of the project (70 points)
- Assessment criterion 2: Your capacity, capability and resources to carry out the project (20 points)
- Assessment criterion 3: The extent to which your project will deliver meaningful benefits to the public (10 points)
The amount of detail and supporting evidence you provide should be relative to the project size, complexity and grant amount requested.
When assessing the extent to which the application represents value with relevant money, we will have regard to:
- the overall objective/s of the grant opportunity
- the evidence provided to demonstrate how your project contributes to meeting those objectives
- the relative value of the grant sought
- distribution of grants by Australian state and territory
- how the grant activities will engage with groups or individuals, especially those historically underrepresented in STEM.
We refer your application to the National Science Week Public Event Grants Committee (the Committee), an independent committee of experts. The committee may also seek additional advice from independent technical experts or advisors to inform the assessment process.
The Program Delegate who is a Manager within the Business Grants Hub in DISR with responsibility for administering the program, decides which grants to approve taking into account the recommendations and advice of the committee and the availability of grants funds.Apply now
Apply for the National Science Week Public Event Grants 2027-30 now.
Before you apply, make sure you:
- read and understand the grant opportunity guidelines
- read the application form
- read the sample grant agreement.
Sample applications
The best way to understand what information you need to provide is to start an application. We have also provided a version to download at the bottom of this page.
Technical help
See our customer portal's frequently asked questions to help with your queries. If you can't find your answer, contact us for assistance.
We can’t consider the application you submit after the close date under any circumstances.
Past and future rounds
This opportunity is part of the Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement: National Science Week Grants.
Contact
Need help?
Let us answer your question over the phone, email or live chat.
- Phone:
-
Open Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm across Australia
- Website: