National Science Week, one of Australia’s largest national festivals, aims to raise the profile and increase public awareness of the importance of science, technology, and innovation in our society.
National Science Week will be held from 12 to 20 August 2023 and aims to demonstrate the significance of a community approach to highlighting the importance of STEM (science, engineering, technology and maths).
The Tasmanian National Science Week Coordinating Committee is offering grants to fund a range of STEM engagement events and initiatives for Science Week 2023. Activities and events can be held during National Science Week, the week prior, or the week after National Science Week (5 – 27 August).
Three types of grants are available for activities to be held in Tasmania in 2023*:
- To support a public STEM engagement event/activity (maximum of $2500 per grant)
- To support a program of STEM events/activities delivered outside of the Greater Hobart area (maximum of $5000 per grant)
- To support an individual public STEM engagement activity delivered at any established community event or festival** held during National Science Week (maximum of $1500 per grant)
Applications close 14th April, 5pm AEDT. Apply online here.
Objectives
The Tasmanian National Science Week Engagement Grants are open to any individual, community group, organisation, business, industry, state or local government organisation to help celebrate STEM.
The grants should assist in bringing science to an increasing number of Tasmanians. The National Science Week aims are:
- increasing Australian community engagement and participation in the sciences
- increasing positive public sentiment and awareness of the contribution and achievements of Australian scientists and innovators
- improving communication between Australian scientists, the general public, businesses and government
- enhancing focus on building skills and capability in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and digital literacy, in Australian schools and communities
- increasing engagement and participation in groups under-represented in STEM***
- encourage an interest in science pursuits among younger people and the general public
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a grant, you can be:
- an individual (aged 18 years or older)
- a community group, association, or organisation
- a business, industry body or local government organisation
- state government department or agency with a community focus (e.g. libraries)
Assessment Criteria
Eligible events/activities will meet the one or more of the following selection criteria:
- Promote and encourage community interest and participation in STEM
- Inspire and encourage informed discussion around STEM-related topics
- Engage underrepresented or disadvantaged groups with STEM
- Inspire people to pursue an interest or career in science, including in younger people
- Promote STEM-based careers
- Inform businesses of the importance of STEM innovation to their long-term success
- Raise awareness of the contribution and achievements of Tasmanian scientists and innovators
- Communicate the relevance of STEM in everyday life
- Extend professional networks and partnership opportunities in STEM-related fields
Funding requests for events that take place in a school for a student audience will not be eligible. Funding for school events is available through the National Science Week School Grants. Events hosted by schools for the community that include a non-school audience are eligible to apply.
Projects funded by a national-level National Science Week grant will not be eligible.
Applicants can apply for multiple types of Tasmanian Engagement Grants, with the selection committee making an assessment as to the engagement grant(s) funded.
Grant applicants must be able to provide a valid tax invoice (ABN required) to receive funds****.
Grant applicants must be able to acknowledge this grant funding by including National Science Week and Inspiring Australia logos on all promotional materials and list their event on the National Science Week website by 1 June 2023
Activities/Events
Events and activities must meet one, or more, of the above assessment criteria.
As part of the application process, the following information will also be required: where the event/activity will be held if it is an in-person activity, how the event/activity will be planned and promoted, which audience(s) will be targeted, any longer-term benefits that might be achieved, and details of any collaboration with local organisations/businesses/community groups to deliver the event/activity, where applicable.
National Science Week events and activities may include, but are not limited to, applications for the following types of STEM engagement:
- hands-on science workshops or field activities
- science fairs, expos, shows or exhibitions
- science through the arts activities
- interactive online events
- podcasts
- video productions
- virtual tours
- presentations, demonstrations, lectures, and webinar
- citizen science activities
- storytelling
All in-person activities and events must meet Tasmanian public health guidelines and are required to be delivered in a COVID-19 safe way.
Selection process
A selection committee from the Tasmanian National Science Week Coordinating Committee will assess all applications and determine which projects are to be partially or fully funded. Members of the selection committee will identify any potential or actual conflicts of interest before applications are assessed – these issues will be managed accordingly.
Selection will be based on the written information provided by the applicant. In some instances, the selection committee may request further information before making its final decision.
The committee will consider:
- The applicant’s capacity to engage diverse Tasmanian audiences in one or more aspects of the STEM disciplines, including but not limited to groups historically under-represented in STEM**. In this context ‘STEM’ may include, but is not necessarily limited to, the life sciences, health sciences, climate change science, environmental science, agricultural science, chemistry, engineering, maths, physics, marine science, ecology, geography, psychology, computing and/or technology.
- Demonstration of innovative and engaging methods of science communication, that also align with one or more of the objectives of National Science Week.
- Submitted budget included with the application. Anticipated budget expenses would include venue hire, advertising and promotion, speaker or presenter fees, catering, activity supplies, COVID-safety compliance and exclude large capital purchases. A budget template is available here.
Key Dates
| Date | Milestone |
| 5 March | Applications open |
| 14 April | Applications close |
| 24 April | All applicants notified |
| 28 April | Applicants accept grant |
| 1 May | Grants announced publicly |
| 12 May | Send tax invoice |
| 1 June | Event/activity registered on National Science Week website |
| August | Run event / activity |
| Before 30 September | Evaluation report |
Grant Applications
Requirements for Grant Application
- Each grant application must comprise a fully completed grant application form.
- Each grant application must meet all criteria to be considered.
- An evaluation report will be required within 6 weeks of the completion of the activity/event. The evaluation will include details of the activity/event, itemised expenditure of funds, audience numbers and reach, and the success of the event in meeting the nominated selection criteria and one or more of the aims of National Science Week.
Please complete the Application Form.
If you have any questions about these grants, please contact inspiring.tasmania@utas.edu.au
* Distribution of grant funding is contingent on the Australian Government funding allocation for National Science Week, and may be subject to delays.
** Examples of established community events or festivals include Beaker Street, Circular Head Science Gig, Latrobe Winter Festival. Endorsement from the event/festival is required prior to application.
*** Groups historically underrepresented in STEM are defined under the National School Reform Agreement and Advancing Women in STEM strategy to include but not limited to:
- First Nations people
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people
- women and girls
- people living in regional and remote areas
- people with disability
- people from low socio-economic backgrounds
- neurodiverse people
- LGBTIAQ+ people
- people who face age-based discrimination.
**** Special conditions apply for the payment of grant funds to University of Tasmania staff. An ABN and tax invoice may not be required and arrangements for the disbursement of funds will be made on acceptance of a grant offer.