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.
2022 Year-Round Science Grants
The 2022 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 November 2022, with final reports submitted by 15 December 2022.
Read about 2021 Inspiring Australia NSW grant recipients.
Apply for a Year-Round Science Grant
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5:00PM Monday 22 November. Applicants will be notified of the results by Friday 17 December 2022.
NSW Sponsorship for 2022 engagement 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 general public audiences.
Any sponsorship proposal must seek funding for a general public community event that includes 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.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5:00PM Monday 22 November. Applicants will be notified of the results by Friday 17 December 2022.
National Science Week grants
Inspiring Australia NSW will open Expressions of Interest for applications for 2022 National Science Week grants of up to $5,000 in March 2022. There will also be an opportunity for a significant event presenter to apply for one allocation of $25,000 to deliver a large scale event series in NSW.
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).