STEM grants for students

Both the Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments are offering grants to students. At the national level, Inspiring Australia is offering grants of up to $20,000 to schools and community groups to encourage students under 18 years of age to participate in competitions and learning activities. In NSW, the Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer is supporting both high school and tertiary students’ participation in STEM activities with grants.

Inspiring Australia funding

Sponsorship Grants for Student Science Engagement and International Competitions funding is designed to sponsor young Australians to take part in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) events. $1500 to $20,000 to sponsor eligible Australian students under the age of 18.

Applications can be submitted until the available funding for this grant opportunity is fully subscribed, or by 29 April 2021, whichever occurs earlier.


This grant opportunity provides organisations, such as schools and community groups, funds to help young Australians to take part in: 

  • in-person and virtual STEM engagement events, activities and competitions in Australia and New Zealand (where permitted by COVID-19 restrictions)
  • virtual STEM engagement events, activities and competitions activities and competitions overseas (student/s to participate remotely from Australia).

For this grant opportunity, $1.6 million is available each year.

The grant is for up to 100% of eligible project costs. 

  • The minimum grant amount is $1500.
  • The maximum grant amount is $20,000.

The greatest grant amount per student is:

  • $2000 for STEM events or activities within Australia
  • $5000 for international STEM events or activities.

This grant is part of the Inspiring Australia – Science Engagement Programme.

NSW Government funding

The Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer manages the Supporting Young Scientists Program that offers grants to NSW high school students participating ‘in person’ or virtually in competitions, events or courses being held from July 2020 to June 2021.

Grants are awarded on an ad hoc basis, and are the primary mechanism by which funding will be awarded to eligible NSW high school students participating in STEM-related competitions, events or courses. Read the Program Guidelines

In addition, the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer will again offer grants to teams of university students attending science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) research competitions.

Grants are awarded following a competitive assessment process. The assessment panel includes staff from the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer as well as an independent from the broader NSW public sector. For further information about the STEM Student Competition Sponsorship Program, including eligibility and section criteria, please refer to the Program Guidelines