**The grant round for 2023 National Science Week is now closed. See below.**
Each year, Inspiring Australia NSW (Inspiring NSW) offers funding to NSW stakeholders to deliver high-profile community events during National Science Week and at other times of the year. These Inspiring NSW science engagement grants have enabled NSW to grow its statewide National Science Week offering while also allowing NSW Regional Science Hubs to develop local partnerships that bring together multidisciplinary teams to develop and deliver high-profile STEM engagement programs.
The Inspiring NSW science engagement grants are funded by the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
2023 National Science Week Grants
Inspiring Australia NSW supports NSW-based event providers to deliver innovative live, online or hybrid events and activities that can be delivered as part of National Science Week from 12 – 20 August 2023. 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.
Grants are now closed. Applicants will be contacted by late May 2023.
Please read the Grant Guidelines before you submit an application.
2023 National Science Week Grant Guidelines Inspiring NSW.
Download this word document for your application and send with letters of support and any other relevant material to inspiringnsw@sydney.edu.au.
Read about the successful grants in 2022
Schools
The 2023 schools theme for National Science Week is Innovation: Powering Future Industries. The theme will incorporate the advancement in technology in all industries, especially using artificial intelligence (AI). Community event holders do not have to use this theme. The Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA), with funding assistance from the Australian Government, provides grants for school-initiated National Science Week activities. These grants are available to ALL Australian schools (preschools to senior secondary). Grants are managed by ASTA and are open now. More information.
2023 Year-Round Science Grants
The 2023 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. Regional organisations operating as Science Hubs can apply for funds of up to $8,000 to facilitate the delivery of year-round public engagement programs. This funding round for 2023 is not open yet.
Read about the 2022 Inspiring Australia NSW grant recipients.
Inspiring Australia Science Engagement Program
Funded by the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Resources, 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.
For more information on the schedule for these grants, check the Inspiring Australia national grant information at the Department’s website.
Grants include:
- National Science Week Grants that support the delivery of science engagement activities during National Science Week each year in August.
- Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, annual awards for outstanding achievement in science, innovation and science teaching.
- Maker Projects Community STEM Engagement Grants that support collaborative initiatives that deliver interactive and hands-on STEM-related activities to youth under 18 years of age.
- 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.
Grant Resources
GRANT APPLICATIONS
Our colleagues at Inspiring ACT and ASC – Canberra have developed a series of grant and event holder resources. These can be accessed via the Inspiring ACT website. We highly recommend this video by Alice Ryder with great tips on submitting the best possible application.
INDIGENOUS SCIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
We encourage you to include First Peoples and their science in your event. The National Science Week Celebrating the First Science of This Land (2.9 MB, pdf) includes case studies from previous events, suggestions and resources.
This guide from Create NSW on Aboriginal Arts and Culture Protocols is also a useful resource.
DISABILITY INCLUSION
The National Science Week Disability Inclusion Guide (1.9 MB, pdf) provides advice for all event holders to make their events more accessible for all audiences to join in.
PARTNERING FOR IMPACT
Partnerships are an important part of any grant application. Inspiring NSW worked with Virtual Excursions during COVID to develop training for online events, including best practice for partnerships. Many of the principles still apply for online events, and can be applied to in person events. This video was produced and delivered by Fizzics Education, Sydney Science Education and Refraction Media with support from the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer and state Inspiring Australia programs in NSW, ACT, QLD, WA and SA.