Each year, Inspiring Australia (NSW) offers funding to NSW stakeholders to deliver high-profile community events during National Science Week and at other times of the year. These NSW Science Engagement grants are typically offered March/April and October/November and have enabled NSW to grow its statewide National Science Week offering while also allowing NSW Regional Science Hubs to deliver entertaining programing throughout the year.
The NSW Science Grants program is funded by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. This grants program has established a network of NSW Regional Science Hubs – local partnerships that bring together multidisciplinary teams to develop and deliver high-profile STEM engagement programs in NSW.
Major National Science Week event grant of $25,000
The NSW Executive Committee for National Science Week and Inspiring Australia is seeking Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified NSW event providers to deliver a major event or event series as part of science week from 14-22 August 2021.
$25,000 is available to enable an experienced provider to produce a high profile campaign that includes interactive, live, hybrid and virtual science events and activities that showcase the achievements of NSW scientists.
The proposed event should target the general public. While this funding is not intended to support projects specifically targeting school students, a schools’ component is acceptable if offered alongside a substantial program of general public activity.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5:00PM Wednesday 21 April 2021
Applicants will be notified of the results by early May 2021.
Express your interest in this major event funding opportunity
2021 NSW National Science Week Grants
The NSW Executive Committee for National Science Week and Inspiring Australia is seeking Expressions of Interest from event providers to deliver innovative live, online and hybrid events and activities that can be delivered as part of science week from 14-22 August 2021. Applicants that meet the selection criteria can apply for funds of $2,000 to $5,000.
The purpose of this funding is to connect community members with science and technology, including in regional communities, and to enable community presenters to develop interactive science events and activities for the general public.
Where possible, we encourage applicants to collaborate with NSW Regional Science Hubs (See current list) as well as other local event providers that have well established audiences e.g. libraries and regional museums.
We are especially interested in receiving proposals that show evidence of community building and collaboration to boost engagement with STEM and welcome innovative ideas for engaging community members that may not ordinarily engage with science and technology. Read about 2020 grant recipients
Please note that this funding is not intended to support projects targeting school students. Organisations that have already been succesful in their funding applications to AusIndustry for Inpsiring Australia funding towards National Science Week 2021 are also ineligible for these NSW grants.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5:00PM Monday 22 March 2021
Applicants will be notified of the results by Friday 23 April 2021.
Apply for a National Science Week Grant
2021 Year-Round Science Grants
The 2021 Year-Round Science Grants program aims to further develop the network of NSW Regional Science Hubs, enduring local partnerships that bring together multidisciplinary teams to develop and deliver high-profile science events in regional NSW. The program is funded by the NSW Government and the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, and managed by Inspiring Australia (NSW).
Inspiring Australia (NSW) welcomes applications from regional organisations operating as Science Hubs for funds of up to $8,000 to facilitate the delivery of year-round public engagement programs.
Applicants must present at least five public events or programs that promote science and technology to community members. All funded projects must be delivered before 15 December 2021, with final reports submitted by 15 January 2022. Read about 2020 year-round grant recipients
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5:00PM Monday 22 March 2021
Applicants will be notified of the results by Friday 23 April 2021.
Apply for a Year-Round Science Grant
NSW Sponsorship for 2021 projects
These guidelines have been developed to guide assessment of ad hoc funding requests. Inspiring Australia NSW will consider Expressions of Interest from established presenters that have a proven track record in catering to large audiences.
Any sponsorship proposal must seek to include science themes and science or technology researchers. Events that have potential to attract people who may not ordinarily participate in nor have access to science outreach programs will be highly regarded.
In order to qualify, applicants must demonstrate:
- Proven experience in attracting the target audience
- Capacity to deliver professionally managed events
- Capacity to manage and acquit funds
- A plan for responding to Covid-19 restrictions if necessary
- A plan for how NSW scientists will be incorporated into event programming
- A realistic estimate of the intended reach of the activity to be sponsored
- A plan for evaluating the impact of the activity to be sponsored.
Inspiring Australia Science Engagement Program
Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, the Inspiring Australia Science Engagement Program supports a range of national science engagement activities to inspire, motivate and cultivate a scientifically engaged community across Australia.
It includes:
- National Science Week Grants that support the delivery of science engagement activities during National Science Week each year in August. The 2020 round is now closed.
- Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, annual awards for outstanding achievement in science, innovation and science teaching.
- Maker Projects that aim to foster creativity and inquiry-based learning in Australian schools and communities through two streams:
Maker Projects Stream A assists with the establishment of maker spaces in schools.
Maker Projects Stream B helps organisations hold STEM-related events and education activities in partnership with industry and aimed at under 18 year olds. - Citizen Science Grants for nationally significant citizen science projects.
- Sponsorship Grants for Student Science Engagement and International Competitions to help students participate in international competitions.
For more information, check the Department’s website and read the Program Guidelines (PDF; 276.32 KB).