Funding to foster creative and inquiry-based STEM learning in young people
The opportunity provides grants up to $100,000 to foster creativity and inquiry‑based STEM learning for students and youth under 18 through hands-on learning.
What do you get?
Grants from $20,000 to $100,000.
Who is this for?
Organisations that deliver community‑based Maker Projects for students and youth under 18 years of age. The opportunity particularly supports projects that increase access and participation for groups historically under‑represented in STEM, including:
- women and girls
- First Nations peoples
- young people living in regional, rural and remote areas
- people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
- people with disability, and
- young people from low socio‑economic or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.
About the program
Maker Projects Grants aim to foster creativity and inquiry-based learning. They support the development of STEM skills in students and youth under 18 years of age in design, engineering and programming, through hands-on learning.
The objectives of the grant opportunity are to:
- deliver projects where students and youth under 18 years of age, at the time of application, can develop and apply their STEM knowledge through experimentation, tinkering and hands-on learning by engaging with a range of technologies
- encourage practical skills, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking through the delivery of hands-on STEM-related events and activities
- inspire students and youth under 18 years of age to pursue further studies and careers in STEM
- make projects accessible to as many young people as possible, including those in regional, rural and disadvantaged areas
- make a positive and ongoing impact on students and youth under 18 years of age, particularly those historically underrepresented in STEM including as defined in the glossary of the grant opportunity guidelines.
The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are:
- increased practical knowledge and skills in scientific experimentation, design, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship through hands-on activities for students and youth
- increased accessibility and participation in STEM-related events and activities for students and youth under 18 years of age, particularly those historically underrepresented in STEM as defined in the glossary
- positive and ongoing development of STEM skills for participating students and youth, fostered through hands-on inquiry-based learning.
For more information on how to apply, click the link below: Maker Projects Community STEM Engagement Grants 2026 | business.gov.au