Grants

While some of the details vary from year-to-year there are usually a range of grants available to help organisations and schools to hold science engagement activities in National Science Week.

Public Event Grants - Australian Government

The Australian Government supports National Science Week in a variety of ways, including through Public Event Grants.

These grants 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,
• 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, and
• encourage new and innovative ways of engaging with audiences.

An open competitive funding round of $500 000 is held once a year. Grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 for public participation in National Science Week activities.​

Applications for 2027 are open from 1 September 2026 and close 6 October 2026.

Learn more here.

State and Territory Seed Grants - Inspiring Australia Network

Most of the Science Week coordinating committees in each of the states and territories hold an annual seed grant round to assist event holders to hold local events. These local grant rounds vary in opening time and are usually open in the period from December to April. Occasionally there are grant opportunities for larger amounts to stage a state launch function or other more significant event.

The goals of these grants vary in each region, as do the amounts available, grant criteria and application processes. 

State grant round opportunities are published in our news feed and via our social media accounts and e-newsletter. To find out more, head to your locating state or territories Inspiring Australia chapter website.

Specific state and territory websites and contact details can be found here.

School grants - ASTA

The Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) conducts an annual grant round to assist schools to hold a special event in National Science Week, with grants of up to $500 available. The grant pool of more than $110 000 is provided by the Australian Government.

Applications are usually open in Term 1 and the results of the selection process announced in Term 2. These grants are available to all Australian schools (Preschool to Year 12). All applications and the amounts awarded are judged by their comparative merit.

Schools can apply here.