GO8515: National Science Week Public Event Grants - National Science Week 2027 funding round

National Science Week is Australia’s major national annual celebration of science and technology, occurring in August each year.

National Science Week is run across Australia and provides the opportunity for wide public participation in activities and events across the nation.

The National Science Week Public Event Grants 2027-30 grant opportunity aims to 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 (as defined in the Glossary) 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 encourage new and innovative ways of engaging with audiences.

The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are: increased national and international interest in Australian science improved critical engagement with key scientific issues by the public increased inspiration drawn from science and improved value of science as perceived by the public increased participation from groups historically underrepresented in STEM.

Up to $500,000 is available each year for National Science Week Public Event Grants from 2027 to 2030.

The minimum grant amount is $5,000 per application.

The maximum grant amount is $20,000 per application.

The National Science Week 2027 funding round accepts applications for events run during National Science Week 2027.

Applicants must be an individual aged 18 years or older, or have an Australian Business Number (ABN).

Joint/consortia applications are permitted where there is an eligible lead organisation that is the main driver of the project and submits the application.

The proposed activity must be science-related, available to and cater to the wider public, and conducted in Australia during the relevant National Science Week or, where appropriate, in the week before or after.

It must address one or more stated public science engagement purposes and be delivered as either an in-person event involving physical attendance or an online event with two-way audience participation or involvement.

Successful applicants must ensure relevant personnel maintain Working with Children checks and Working with Vulnerable People registration.